Shades of Verb Meanings Lists and Worksheets

Related ELA Standard: L.K.5.D

Core Standard
Answer Keys Here

When words have similar definitions, even though they are very different words, they can give the reader a feeling of a different mood or emotional level. We refer to this as a different shade of meaning. For example you could say, "I am happy that it is my birthday today." If we wanted to Jack up the sentence, we could replace "happy" with "delighted" and the emotional state of the reader was completely changed. These worksheets build on this concept and have students work on bolstering your messages.

Shades of Verb Meanings Worksheets To Print:

Plain Words and Fancy Words – Differ between simple and slightly complex words that have the same overall meaning.

Extreme Verbs – This worksheet was featured in an international vocabulary competition.

Sorting Through Horrifying and Size Adjectives – You might need to develop the vocabulary with them on this and act it out.

4 Shades of Verbs Version 1 – This is basically what the standard intended to do.

Shades of Words Cut and Paste Activity 1 – Cut out all the words below and paste them in order from least to greatest on the word chart page.

4 Shades of Verbs Version 2 – More for you to enjoy.

4 Shades of Verbs Version 3 – The moving words here start to baffle kids.

4 Shades of Verbs Version 4 – You would be surprised to learn that most kindergarteners do understand these words.

Shades of Words Cut and Paste Activity 2 – Scrumptious and delectable are the words that really trip them up.

Shades of Word Meanings Cut and Paste Activity 3 – Comprised of view words, comic words, and sleepy words.

Shades of Meanings Word List 1 (On Grade Level) – These word lists are there to help you build centers and just provide you with additional ideas to work with. The red background indicates the extreme words of each set.

Shades of Meanings Word List 2: Difficult Words – If you have any really sharp students, these words will come in handy.

Shades of Meanings Word List 3: More Difficult Words – We have seen each of these word sets on State prepared samplers, so there is always a possibility.

Shades of Meanings Word List 4: Moderate Words – Most of these vocabulary words are meant for a higher grade level, so it is very tough to match this standard.

Shades of Meanings Word List 5 (Hard) – You might need a dictionary for a few of these words. At least the kids might.

Shades of Meanings Word List 6 (Difficult) – We have seen two of these columns of words actually used on an assessment.

What is The Concept of Shades of Verb Meaning?

Shades of meaning is a phrase that is applied to describe the subtle differences that are found in the meanings of similar words and phrases.


A solid example of this are the words child and youth. Both delineate a certain age bracket and refer to youngsters. However, both terms carry vastly different views and notions when it comes to young people.


Basically, assigning a different shade to a group of words with similar meaning helps children learn the nuances of the English language. To further illustrate our point, we will look at the terms angry, incensed and livid.


If we categorize them according to their intensity and then assign a darker shade to each in ascending order, this exercise will help us in comprehending the subtle, but mandatory distinction between these words.


First, we will classify the words. Mad is a shade lighter than incensed, which shows a greater level of anger. Livid is a more heightened level of being furious, which is why it will be a shade darker. Therefore, now that we understand that these words will be in the order of mad, incensed and livid, we can assign each a darker shade.


Then, if we make an attempt to instruct children to associate words with their respective intensity, they will be able to grasp the subtle and minutiae of these words. Teachers can develop exercises by making worksheets and then letting their students attempt these exercises. This will undoubtedly improve their language skills and know how.


Likewise, we can have a look at the words happy, excited and thrilled. Each one is attributed a darker shade in this particular order because they show a greater sense of excitement.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Extreme Verbs Preview