Linear Arrays – Shades of Meaning
Vocabulary Acquisition Activity – Grade 3
Activity Overview:
In this activity, students develop their understanding of grade level tier 2 vocabulary words through the use of
a graphic organizer. The graphic organizer helps students to create a visual representation of shades of word
meanings. Students learn to organize words based on the relationship between a set of words.
Materials:
1. Linear Array
2. Vocabulary Set: fear*
3. Pencils
Procedure:
1. Explain to students that a linear array is a type of graphic organizer that organizes words according to
their shades of meaning.
2. Display the linear array.
3. Display the vocabulary words. Read each word aloud. Explain that all of the words fall within a given
category (fear).
4. Write the first word and last word on the linear array. (ie. apprehension/left; terror/right)
5. Explain the meaning of the left-most word. Connect its meaning to the overall category of words. Write
the meaning in the box labeled, “What does it mean?”
6. Discuss with students the meaning of each remaining word in relation to the two end words. Organize
the words according to shade of meaning.
7. Use each word in a clarifying sentence aloud as you write each word on the linear array.
8. Write sentences using each word. These sentences should demonstrate understanding of shades of
meaning.
*Use the same procedure to introduce and teach each subsequent word.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
fear (apprehension, dread, fright, panic, terror)
speed (slow, leisurely, quick, swift, rapid)
beauty (cute, attractive, pretty, lovely, gorgeous)
humor (silly, amusing, witty, funny, hilarious)
ability (awkward, clumsy, bungling, inept, incompetent)
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Name: ________________________________
Linear Array – Shades of Meaning
What does it mean?
What does it mean?
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Linear Array – Shades of Meaning #1
Teacher Edition: fear
degree of fear
terror
apprehension
dread
fright
panic
What does it mean?
What does it mean?
expecting trouble nervous that
something bad
might happen
intense fear extreme anxiety overcome with fear
The neighbor expressed her apprehension about the bad weather.
The boy's mother said she dreads driving in bad traffic.
The cat jumped with fright when the dog barked.
The bus driver started to panic when he couldn't find his keys.
People at the haunted house expected to have a feeling of terror.
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Linear Array – Shades of Meaning #2
Teacher Edition: speed
degree of speed
rapid
slow
leisurely
quick
swift
What does it mean?
What does it mean?
moving with very
little speed - not
hurried at all
moving with great
speed- happening in
a very short period
of time
The cars drove slowly through the school zone.
The beachgoers wandered leisurely across the sand.
The nurse said the shot would be quick and almost painless.
The soccer player scored the goal with one swift kick.
The roller coaster swerved around the curves with rapid motion.
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Linear Array – Shades of Meaning #3
Teacher Edition: beauty
degree of beauty
gorgeous
cute
attractive
pretty
lovely
What does it mean?
What does it mean?
pleasing - appealing,
especially in a
youthful way
superb magnificent- grand extremely beautiful
There was a cute new puppy rolling around on the grass at the park.
The clerk at the grocery store had an attractive smile.
Her grandmother was disappointed that she spilled juice on her
pretty yellow dress.
The neighbor's rose garden is quite lovely when in full bloom.
The kids took a selfie in front of a gorgeous sunset at the beach.
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Linear Array – Shades of Meaning #4
Teacher Edition: humor
degree of humor
hilarious
silly
amusing
witty
funny
What does it mean?
What does it mean?
playful and goofy not serious
extremely funny lively
The students felt a bit silly wearing masks for the skit.
The mother found it amusing when her two-year-old played in dress
up clothes.
Sometimes the girl made a witty remark to make her friends laugh.
My dad enjoys comedies because he likes laughing at funny jokes.
The children told hilarious stories about their week at camp.
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Linear Array – Shades of Meaning #5
Teacher Edition: ability
degree of ability
incompetent
awkward
clumsy
bungling
inept
What does it mean?
What does it mean?
uncoordinated - not
having much skill
and ability
not capable at all unqualified - does
not have right skills
No one could tell she felt awkward in her too-tight costume.
He was so clumsy he couldn't catch the football.
The stage crew stepped in to help the bungling theater manager.
The manager decided the clerk was inept when he continued to forget
to lock the safe.
Her incompetent repairman broke the faucet rather than fix it.
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