Page: Cluster D Semantics-the Meanings Of Language
Semantics
Overview
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjJQBjWYDTs
Semantics is the study of the meaning of words and phrases. Many factors must be
taken into consideration when studying semantics. There are three basic areas of
study. One is the meaning of word to objects, the second is the meaning of words
in phrases, and the third is how different people interpret the same word or phrases
depending on their background experiences and the time in their life.
Term
Lexicon
Semantics
Idioms
Denotation
Definition
The words used in a language or by a
person or group of people
The study of the meanings of words and
phrases in language; the meanings of
words and phrases in a particular context
An expression that cannot be understood
from the meanings of its separate words
but that has a separate meaning of its
own
A direct, specific meaning
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Page: Cluster D Semantics-the Meanings Of Language
Connotation
Borrowed Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
Metaphor
Semantic ambiguity
The suggesting of a meaning by a word
apart from the thing it explicitly names or
describes
Words adopted by the speakers of one
language from a different language
A word that has the same meaning as
another word in the same language
A word with a meaning that is opposite to
the meaning of another word
A word or phrase for one thing that is
used to refer to another thing in order to
show or suggest that they are similar
When a sentence can have more than
one meaning because it contains a word
(or words) with multiple meanings
Artifacts and Related instructional videos
Link
Type of Activity
Nursery Rhyme Synonym Lesson Plan
Activity.doc
Teaching Semantics Lesson Plan
Lexicon.docx
http://www.youtube.com/ Video
watch?
v=WVHlVbIgUH0contents
http://www.abcya.com/
Interactive Game
synonyms_antonyms.htm
https://
Lesson Plan
www.teachervision.com/
tv/printables/
TCR/1557342344_49-50.pdf
Denotation &
Lesson Plan
Connotation.doc
Teaching Semantics Lesson Plan
Ambiguity.docx/
http://
Lesson Resource
freelanguagestuff.com/
multiple-meaning-words/
http://
Lesson Plan
robinbneal.com/2013/12/14/
teaching-metaphors-andsimiles-make-a-game-of-it/
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Concept
Synonym
Lexicon, Synonym,
Antonym
Idioms
Synonym, Antonym
Borrowed Words
Denotation & Connotation
Ambiguity
Ambiguity
Metaphors
Page: Cluster D Semantics-the Meanings Of Language
Ways to teach/use the concepts to ELs
• Be conscious of the backgrounds and differing cultures of your students when
creating lessons.
• Regardless of the level or content area, include opportunities for students to grow
their personal lexicon.
• Plan lessons that involve opportunities for ENLs to contribute and practice side by
side with non-ENLs.
• Modify or differentiate as needed to help bridge ENLs, particularly when using or
teaching more difficult concepts such as metaphors, ambiguity, and connotation.
Sources
Calvin and Hobbes Image: http://stancarey.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/jef-mallettfrazz-comic-strip-detention-for-tomato-semantics.jpg?w=450&h=149
Dictionary Image: http://grantlab.pbworks.com/f/1249326740/1249326740/
words.png
Children around the World Image: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i28PYR6ewz4/
TlcPS3yFC1I/AAAAAAAAEgA/qKK3JcGjPr0/s1600/lens9692671_1267064394multiethnic_children_aro.jpg
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Page: Cluster D Semantics-the Meanings Of Language
Dictionary.com
http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~kemmer/Words04/structure/borrowed.html
http://cs.nyu.edu/faculty/davise/ai/ambiguity.html
Meaning and Language: Lesson Plan on Semantic Meaning: http://
www.brighthubeducation.com/esl-lesson-plans/65974-teaching-semantic-meaning/
Brief History of Semantics: http://www.academia.edu/6251685/
Brief_History_of_Semantics
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