40 SYNONYM PAIRS FOR WINTER - LEARNING OBJECTIVES, SEASONALITY, & AGE RANGE FAQs

WHAT ARE THE LEARNING OBJECTIVES & OUTCOMES OF THIS RESOURCE?

The main aim of this resource is to inspire children and students to experiment with new words (the ‘Try Using…’ list) in a familiar seasonal context.

By giving them a range of choices, the pressure of having to find or to think of a more precise word or phrase is removed. Take, for example, how the exactness changes when a simple adjective + noun is replaced:

PAIR A

• She stared across the fresh snow that lay across the field.
• She stared across the pristine snow that lay across the field.

PAIR B

• He frowned at the wet snow covering the path.
• He frowned at the slush covering the path.

In PAIR A, while ‘fresh snow’ indicates that the snow has recently fallen, it does not mean that people have not walked over it. To describe snow as ‘pristine’, on the other hand, conveys that sense without having to explain it. In a similar vein, in PAIR B, snow is, by definition, wet; however, it does not mean that what is covering the path is the same thing a ‘slush’: snow or ice that is partially melted.

In addition to building their vocabulary, this resource helps younger writers develop their knowledge of more subtle differences in meanings and word connotations. This, in turn, leads to students writing more vividly and precisely. It also develops their analytical and comprehension skills.

IS THIS AN EVERGREEN OR SEASONAL RESOURCE?

This resource is clearly designed with winter and the festive season in mind, and as such will be useful in relation to a range of seasonal reading and writing tasks.

That said, you may also find this resource useful at other times of the year if your child or student is writing a story set during the winter holidays, or is reading a novel or poetry that includes winter themes or imagery.

CAN YOU PROVIDE FURTHER GUIDANCE REGARDING AGE RANGE & SUITABILITY?

The years and ages listed above are intended as recommendations only; please feel free to use this resource in any educational context that suits your needs.

40 SYNONYM PAIRS FOR WINTER - USING THIS RESOURCE FAQs

SOME OF THESE WORDS FEEL LIKE SIMPLE UPGRADES. OTHERS FEEL QUITE DIFFERENT. IS THIS RIGHT? AND WHY IS THAT?

Yes, this is correct. There are two types of swaps in this list: (a) straightforward upgrade swaps and (b) connotation shifts.

(A) Upgrade Swaps

With this type of swap, the word is being replaced by a synonym that is slightly more vivid or precise. For example,

• The children marvelled at the feel of the soft snow beneath their fingertips.
• The children marvelled at the feel of the powdery snow beneath their fingertips.

(B) Connotation Shifts

With this type of swap, the word is being replaced by another that is similar in meaning, but which carries different connotations. For example,

• When we saw the road, we groaned: it was blocked.
• When we saw the road, we groaned: it was impassable.

In the first sentence, the word ‘blocked’ suggests that although there is an obstruction on the road, the situation might be resolved or resolvable.

In the second sentence, the word ‘impassable’ tells us there is no solution to the blockage in the road that the characters are facing.

Obviously, there are significant differences in tone and consequences (and therefore connotations) between the two words (‘blocked’ and ‘impassable’) and their sentences.

Knowing not just what words mean, but what they do and how they can transform sentences is key to improving reading and writing skills.

I AM A PARENT: DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER USAGE SUGGESTIONS FOR ME?

This resource provides you with a pre-selected list of themed words and synonyms that you can go through with your child at your own pace, and in the way that works best for you. You may wish to select words that relate to other tasks you are engaged in, or you may wish to go through the words in alphabetical order.

Given its nature, this resource lends itself well to dictionary work and subsequent discussions about similarities and differences in meaning and usage.

As you and your child go through this list, you may wish to create two sub-lists: one for upgrade swaps, and the other for connotation shifts.

Although winter, like autumn, can pose challenges for going outside, there are certainly vocabulary benefits to venturing outside in wintery conditions.

You may find, therefore, that this list is of especial use as a vocabulary primer before you go out, a checklist that you consult while on your walk, or, as a useful starting point for a post-excursion writing task or discussion.

A further activity that you and your child may find helpful is to go through the list and decide which synonyms belong in one of two word buckets: (a) words that are connected to warmth, light, coziness, etc; or (b) words that are suggestive of harsher, darker, colder conditions.

ARE THESE WORDS SUITABLE FOR YEAR 6 SATs ENGLISH PREPARATION?

Yes. Questions involving synonyms (whether in passages, true or false, or matching questions) are routinely used in the Year 6 English Paper 2: Grammar, Punctuation & Spelling.

Focusing on synonyms and building your child’s vocabulary toolbox, therefore, is worthwhile throughout Year 6.

ARE THESE WORDS SUITABLE FOR 11+ PREPARATION?

Yes. This set of words is a useful addition to 11+ preparation given its focus on words with different connotations since these are often crucial to answering odd ones out questions.

More generally, the more advanced vocabulary is useful for both reading comprehension and writing tasks.

HOW DO I USE THIS RESOURCE AS A PRINTED RESOURCE?

You may wish to print the list and keep it on the desk as a word mat during writing sessions as a quick reference tool so that your child can pick an appropriate synonym when needed.

However, please make sure your child is aware that not all swaps are interchangeable and that some words have connotations that may not be right in every context.

The list works equally well as a wall display in a classroom or home study space.

In addition, you may find it helpful to keep a copy of this list in a vocabulary folder (if you have one).

HOW DO I USE THIS RESOURCE AS A DIGITAL LEARNING AID?

There are several ways for you to use this PDF on a screen.

If your child or student works on a computer, laptop, or tablet, they can keep the PDF open on one half of the screen as a permanent, digital word bank they can glance at when they need inspiration.

Save the PDF to a tablet or an iPad. Using any basic PDF reader, your child or student can highlight synonyms they want to draw on in their work or cross the words off as they use them.

If you are a teacher and you want to use this resource in your classroom, you might consider projecting this PDF onto an interactive whiteboard during a creative writing lesson to use for whole-class brainstorming or group work.

Note: Given the vibrant nature of the full-colour version of this resource, it works particularly well in its digital format.