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Year Group

Year 3 (Age 7-8)

Duration

60 minutes

Class Size

19 students

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National Curriculum Links

English - Vocabulary, Grammar and Punctuation

• Use and understand the grammatical terminology accurately and appropriately when discussing their writing and reading (Year 3 Programme of Study)
• Use expanded noun phrases to describe and specify
• Develop positive attitudes to reading and understanding of what they read
• Increase their vocabulary, knowledge and understanding through reading

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, pupils will be able to:

• Understand and use synonyms to enhance writing (NC Link: expanding vocabulary and understanding)
• Identify and suggest synonyms for a range of words taken from a Roald Dahl text extract (NC Link: developing positive attitudes to reading, vocabulary)
• Apply synonyms to improve noun phrases in writing (NC Link: use of expanded noun phrases)

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Resources

• Extract from Roald Dahl’s Matilda or Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (age-appropriate, engaging, showing descriptive language)
• Whiteboard and pens
• Individual whiteboards for students
• Synonym word mats (basic and challenging versions)
• Thesaurus (child-friendly, picture or electronic)
• Sticky notes

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Lesson Structure

Starter (10 minutes) – "Synonym Detective" Hook

Goal: Activate prior knowledge and engage curiosity.

1. Introduce the Hook: Write the word “happy” on the board. Ask students: “Can you be happy in lots of different ways? How else could we say ‘happy’?”
2. Invite students to shout out synonyms (e.g., joyful, delighted, cheerful). Write their answers on the board.
3. Show the Roald Dahl extract on the board containing a sentence with a key adjective or noun, for example, “Matilda was bright.”
4. Ask students: “Can we find a better or more interesting word for ‘bright’?”
5. Reveal some synonyms from the Roald Dahl text highlighted in different colours and say, “Roald Dahl loves to choose interesting words. Today, we’ll do the same!”

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Main Input and Modelling (15 minutes) – Using Roald Dahl Text

1. Read Aloud: Teacher reads the selected extract with expression, emphasising descriptive words.
2. Highlight and Discuss: Show a few words from the extract that are simple adjectives or nouns (e.g., “happy”, “big”, “fun”).
3. Modelling with Scaffolding:
   • On the board, write a sentence from the extract e.g., “Charlie had a big, green egg.”
   • Brainstorm synonyms together: “big” → large, huge, enormous; “green” → emerald, lime, mossy
   • Model rewriting the sentence using synonyms without changing the meaning: “Charlie had an enormous, emerald egg.”
4. Scaffolding for SEND: Provide word mats with visuals and simple synonyms; sentence starters such as: “Charlie’s egg was ___________.”
5. Challenge: Encourage more adventurous vocabulary or suggest adding an expanded noun phrase, e.g., “Charlie had an enormous, emerald egg covered with tiny silver spots.”

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Guided Practice (15 minutes) – Group Work on Synonyms

1. Group Activity: In small groups of 3-4, students receive a short Roald Dahl sentence or phrase and a set of word mats.
2. Tasks:
   • Identify one adjective or noun to replace with a synonym from their mat or thesaurus.
   • Rewrite the sentence aloud or on their whiteboards.
3. Teacher Circulation: Support groups with vocabulary suggestions, encouraging use of richer words, help SEND students by reading aloud and pointing to visuals.
4. Challenge Extension: Groups create a new sentence using at least two synonyms and expanded noun phrases.

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Independent Application (15 minutes)

1. Writing Task: Students write their own short descriptive sentence inspired by the style of Roald Dahl’s writing, using synonyms they have learned.
2. Prompt: “Write about something you see outside or in your classroom, using at least one synonym from today’s lesson.”
3. Scaffolded Support: For SEND students, provide sentence frames and word mats.
4. Challenge: Students asked to include an expanded noun phrase with at least two adjectives or a descriptive clause.

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Plenary (5 minutes) – Share and Reflect

1. Invite 3-4 volunteers to read their sentences aloud.
2. Use sticky notes with simple prompts:
   • “Which synonyms did you choose?”
   • “How did the new words make your sentence sound better?”
3. Reflect on how synonyms make writing more exciting and vivid (link to Roald Dahl’s style).
4. Exit ticket on mini whiteboards: Write one new synonym you learned today.

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Assessment

• Formative: Observations during group work and independent writing; use of synonyms and expanded noun phrases.
• Summative: Short individual written sentence applying synonyms accurately; verbal sharing demonstrates vocabulary understanding.

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Differentiation

• SEND: Use word mats, sentence frames, visual aids, 1:1 support during group work, modelling with simple language.
• More Able: Challenge with extended noun phrases, multiple synonyms, and more complex descriptive sentences.
• EAL learners: Extra visuals and verbal rehearsal of vocabulary before writing.

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Extension Ideas

• Create a “Roald Dahl Thesaurus” class booklet with favourite synonyms.
• Act out sentences focusing on the feeling or description that the synonym conveys.
• Use digital tools where students drag and drop synonyms into sentences.

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Teacher Reflection Notes

• Monitor engagement with synonyms; note vocabulary gains.
• How did students respond to the Roald Dahl extract? Was it motivating?
• Did SEND and challenging students access the lesson with suitable support?
• Plan for follow-up lessons: building on expanded noun phrases and descriptive writing.