“This website is my sub plans.” ~ a teacher describing Byrdseed.TV

Arizona ELA Standard: 1.L.5.d

With prompting and support, identify synonyms and antonyms and distinguish shades of meaning among verbs differing in manner (e.g. look, peek, glance, stare, glare, scowl) and adjectives differing in intensity (eg. large, gigantic) by defining or choosing them or by acting out the meanings

Power – Blue Whale vs Krill

Power – Blue Whale vs Krill

Sure, a Blue Whale is huge. But does a tiny krill have more power?

Power Can Be Fast, Slow, Loud, or Quiet

Power Can Be Fast, Slow, Loud, or Quiet

Power may seem loud and fast, but it can also be slow and quiet.

Parts of Speech Party – Care

Parts of Speech Party – Care

How many different ways can we use the word “care”? Let’s find out in this Parts of Speech Party!

Super Specific Similes – Strong Uncle

Super Specific Similes – Strong Uncle

Let’s make this simile about a strong uncle even more specific.

Super Specific Similes – Slimy Broccoli

Super Specific Similes – Slimy Broccoli

Start with a basic simile. Now make it more specific. Now even more. Watch how much better writing gets with each round.

Super Specific Similes: Quick Baby

Super Specific Similes: Quick Baby

Let’s make this simile about a quick baby even more specific.

Super Specific Similes: Loud Class

Super Specific Similes: Loud Class

Let’s make this simile about a loud class super specific!

Super Specific Similes: Stinky Seaweed

Super Specific Similes: Stinky Seaweed

Start with a basic simile. Now make it more specific. Now even more. Watch how much better writing gets with each round.

Antonym Paths

Antonym Paths

Does the antonym of an antonym bring us back to the same meaning?

Fancier Figurative Language: Use the Opposite

Fancier Figurative Language: Use the Opposite

Let’s start with “As cold as fire.”

Writing Technique: Contrast With Synonyms

Writing Technique: Contrast With Synonyms

A specific technique to help students add some spice to their writing. We’ll be contrasting two ideas using synonyms.

Writing Technique: Opposite Adjectives

Writing Technique: Opposite Adjectives

A specific technique to help students add some spice to their writing. We’ll be using antonyms to describe the same topic!

Virtue or Vice?

Virtue or Vice?

Aristotle noted that positive traits and negative traits are often the same thing, but just in different amounts. The right amount is a virtue, but too much or too little and it’s a vice.

What’s In My Brain: Cute Baby vs Fast Cheetah

What’s In My Brain: Cute Baby vs Fast Cheetah

Can students spot similes vs metaphors?

Synonym Graphs

Synonym Graphs

So, which is happiest: happy, joyful, or ecstatic? Which is most temporary?

Multiple Meaning Matcher – Introduction

Multiple Meaning Matcher – Introduction

Your students will try to match up definitions that belong to the same homophone in this brain-boggling vocab puzzle.

Content Imperatives: Paradox

Content Imperatives: Paradox

How can one idea pull in opposite directions, being both true and false or right and wrong at the same time? It’s time to explore Paradoxes!

Ways to Start a Sentence – Level 1

Ways to Start a Sentence – Level 1

‘Add more variety!’ teachers say. But how? This lesson gives students actual techniques instead of vague advice.