Designed to meet these objectives:
Language
• Students will recognize homophones in context.
• Students will develop vocabulary skills.
Your new Instant Learning Center is designed to strengthen essential language skills. Intended for independent
work, the center can be used by up to four students at a time. The activity mats are reusable, while pencil-andpaper activities and an assessment card provide permanent records to help you track students’ progress. It’s a
great way to give students hands-on practice that leads to mastery!
What’s Included
• Storage box with double-sided, pop-up instruction chart
• 4 activity mats
• 4 sneaker cards with laces
• 4 write & wipe markers
• Write & wipe assessment card/answer card
Before You Begin
Lakeshore’s Instant Learning Centers are easy to set up! Prepare the sneaker cards by stringing the lace through
the top left hole in each one, and then tying a knot in the back to hold it in place. Return the sneaker cards to
the storage box. Then, pop up the double-sided picture instruction chart, set the box in a language center with paper and pencils, and let the learning begin! Up to four students can complete activities at the same time.
Getting Started
Take a few minutes to demonstrate the activity for your students before placing the materials in your language
center. First, review the words on the sneaker cards to make sure students can read all of them. Then, read
aloud the step-by-step instructions on the chart, and explain to students that the pictures on the chart show
each step in order.
Choose an activity mat and the matching sneaker card, and then show them to the class. Point out that the
color of the card matches the border of the mat.
Read each word on the card to the class. For example, ask students which word on the right side of the sneaker
is a homophone of the one at the top left side. Show students how to string the lace from the top left word to
the hole next to its homophone. Invite volunteers to repeat the activity until all of the homophone pairs have
been matched up.
Next, read the first sentence on the mat. Ask students which word belongs in the blank space. Show them how
to write the word on the mat. Invite volunteers to complete each sentence on the mat.
(continued on back)
©2009 Lakeshore
(800) 428-4414
www.lakeshorelearning.com
Conforms to ASTM D-4236
LL592
Ages 6+
Printed in China
Homophones Activity
1. Students will choose a mat, matching sneaker card, and write & wipe marker.
2.Next, students will match homophones by stringing the lace from one word on the left side of the card to
its homophone on the right. They will continue until they have matched all the homophones.
3.Then, students will complete each sentence on the activity mat by writing the correct homophones in the
blank spaces. After checking their work, students will draw and label pictures of five of the words on a
separate sheet of paper.
Meeting Individual Needs
ELL
•Work with small groups to build background knowledge. Review the homophones that students will use
during the activity. Have students cut out pictures from magazines or draw pictures of each homophone.
• Review the spelling differences in each pair of homophones.
Reteach/Extra Support
• Read each homophone aloud. Have students repeat them. Review the spelling differences in each pair of
homophones. Have students write each word on an index card. They can then practice reading them by
playing a game of “Concentration.” They can also attach the cards to a ring and practice independently or
with a partner.
•Have students complete only half of the activity mat.
Challenge
• The “Try This!” activity at the bottom of the instruction chart is intended for students who need an extra challenge. If you notice that a student has completed steps 1-3 on the chart, encourage her to try the extension activity. The instructions ask students to write riddles for at least five of the words from the
sneaker card.
Assessment
Step 3 is a documenting activity for students to perform as a way for you to assess their understanding of the
skill being presented. When students have completed the activity, have them place their work in a folder or bin
near the learning center for your review. (If desired, students can use the answer card to check and correct their
own work.) You can assess students further by having a spelling test or spelling bee using the homophones.
Keep track of students’ progress with the convenient write & wipe assessment card. Simply record the date and comments next to each student’s name as activities are completed. For a permanent record of students’
progress over the course of the school year, you may want to photocopy the completed assessment card and
store it in your files.
Note: Be sure to use only dry-erase markers on the write & wipe card.
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