This KS2 PDF word spinner pack helps children identify and use more powerful verbs in their writing, following a fun craft activity.
Templates are included showing interesting synonyms for 10 everyday verbs.
The spinners can be used for matching activities as well as reference tools when children are writing.
Blank templates are also included, allowing children to make their own synonym spinners.
Possible uses
- Provide the children with the parts to more than one word spinner and challenge them to find the tops which match each bottom.
- Provide the children with the top of a word spinner and a blank bottom. Children can add their own synonyms.
- Provide the children with the bottom to a word spinner and a blank top. Challenge them to identify the everyday verb for which all the words shown are synonyms.
- Provide children with a word spinner for them to assemble. They can then be challenged to use words from the spinner in their writing over a set period of time.
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
What is a powerful verb?
If verbs describe an action, a powerful verb is a more interesting version of basic verbs that help to make writing more descriptive, exciting and engaging. Learning these will help expand children’s vocabularies and improve their speaking and writing skills.
Powerful verb examples
- Sprinted, galloped or strided instead of ran
- Shouted, whispered or muttered instead of said
- Searched, eyeballed or perused instead of looked
- Snoozed, slumbered or dozed instead of slept
National Curriculum English programme of study links
Students will learn how words are related by meaning as synonyms and antonyms [for example, big, large, little].