Much like creating your own dictionary, students learn SO MANY new words
with this exercise. I was actually given this task in an American
elementary school in the 6th grade 15 years ago. Our teacher told us
to think of as many synonyms for the following words as we could
(use of dictionaries and thesauri was allowed): to do/make, to go,
to say. There was a fourth verb, but I have forgotten it. These days,
I put my students in groups of 3-4 and have them brainstorm. Afterwards,
I put all the words on the blackboard. Students should then consult
the lists in order to spice up their own texts. I was amazed at how
many words my students knew!
Also try it with adjectives (good/bad, etc.).
World's Best Jobs!
Dave's ESL Cafe Copyright © 2008 Dave Sperling. All Rights Reserved.