Encourage children to broaden their knowledge and use of vocabulary by completing these word snails, writing synonyms for each previous word in the shell.
This activity, which involves considering synonyms, could be used as a starter to extend pupils’ word choices before writing to encourage the use of ambitious vocabulary, as well as to create interactive wall displays.
This primary resource pack includes:
- Word snails
Six worksheets with examples of starter words for pupils to complete
- Blank word snail
A version of the worksheet where teachers or children can add their own starter words to create their own lists of ambitious vocabulary
What is a synonym?
A synonym is a word or phrase that means exactly or nearly the same as another word or phrase.
Synonym examples
- nice and kind
- big and large
- tiny and minute
- quick and fast
- smelly and stinky
- thrilling and exciting
National Curriculum English programme of study links
Year 2 Reading - comprehension
Pupils should be taught to develop pleasure in reading, motivation to read, vocabulary and understanding by discussing and clarifying the meaning of words, linking new meanings to known vocabulary.
Year 2 Writing - composition
Pupils should be taught to consider what they are going to write about before beginning by writing down ideas and/or key words, including new vocabulary.
Year 3/4 Writing - composition
Pupils should be taught to evaluate and edit by assessing the effectiveness of their own and others’ writing and suggesting improvements.
Year 5/6 Writing - transcription
Pupils should be taught to use a thesaurus.
Year 5/6 Writing - composition
Pupils should be taught to evaluate and edit by proposing changes to vocabulary, grammar and punctuation to enhance effects and clarify meaning.
Year 6 (English Appendix 2)
Students will learn how words are related by meaning as synonyms and antonyms [for example, big, large, little].