Using a Thesaurus to Choose Words

PROCEDURAL

English›Vocabulary|Ages 10—11|ID: mt_saW7PxtPxw

Use a thesaurus to find synonyms and extend vocabulary choices, selecting the most appropriate word based on context, connotation, and register

Mastery Evidence

Use a thesaurus to find three alternatives for overused words in own writing
Select the most appropriate synonym from thesaurus options based on context and tone
Explain why one synonym is more suitable than another for a specific sentence

Assessment Prompt

“When [child] is writing and wants a better word than the one they first thought of, can they use a thesaurus and pick the right synonym for the context — not just any word that means something similar?”

Curriculum Standards1 alignment

Eng.UKS2.Write.Trans.Spell.7The national curriculum in England

Use a thesaurus

Use a thesaurus.

English · Key Stage 2

Prerequisites2

Using a Dictionary to Check Spellings
softAges 7—11
Antonyms & Synonyms
hardAges 9—11

Show full prerequisite tree

Using a Dictionary to Check Spellings soft
Thesaurus use builds on dictionary skills
- Knowing all letters hard
  Dictionary use requires alphabetical order via letter recognition
  - Understanding print hard
    Must understand print direction before letter identification matters
- Non-Fiction Text Features soft
  Non-fiction structures include reference features like glossaries
  - Main Topic of Informational Texts hard
    Non-fiction structures build on Y1 informational text main topic
    - Listening to Texts Read Aloud hard
      Listening comprehension foundational for informational text
  - Book Features and Author's Reasons hard
    Understanding text features builds on Y1 book features
    - Understanding print hard
      Print concepts needed to understand book features
Antonyms & Synonyms hard
Thesaurus use builds on understanding synonyms and antonyms
- Shades of Meaning hard
  Synonym and antonym work builds on shades of meaning; learners must distinguish intensity gradations before systematically relating words through synonym/antonym relationships
  - Sorting & Categorising Words soft
    Categorisation supports understanding shades of meaning
    - How Many in Total? soft
      Sorting and categorising objects uses the same counting/cardinality skills from maths
      - One-to-one counting hard
        Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

Unlocks1

Vocabulary Strategies
hardAges 11—14