Using Grown-Up & Subject Words
Aligned to L.5.6 — Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts.
What this lesson teaches
Learning precise academic and subject words lets you say exactly what you mean. Add new words to your speaking and writing as you learn them.
Worked examples
Example 1
Instead of 'The plant got bigger,' a precise word makes it 'The plant sprouted, then flourished' — clearer and more grown-up.
Example 2
Instead of 'The numbers went up a lot,' write 'The numbers tripled between March and June.'
Example 3
Use the subject's own words when you write about it. Saying 'hypothesis' in a lab report instead of 'guess' is not showing off; it is being exact.
Practice questions
- Replace a plain word with a more precise one.
- Use a subject word from science or math in a sentence.
- List two new words you learned this week and use one.
Watch the lesson
Every lesson comes with a video taught in English and Spanish — the same video the QR code in the printed workbook opens.
▶ Watch this lessonEn español
Usar Palabras Formales y del Tema
Aprender palabras académicas y del tema precisas te permite decir exactamente lo que quieres. Agrega palabras nuevas a tu habla y escritura a medida que las aprendes.
Ejemplo 1: En vez de 'La planta se hizo más grande', una palabra precisa la vuelve 'La planta brotó y luego floreció' — más clara y formal.
Ejemplo 2: En vez de 'Los números subieron mucho', escribe 'Los números se triplicaron entre marzo y junio.'
Ejemplo 3: Usa las palabras propias de la materia cuando escribas sobre ella. Decir 'hipótesis' en un reporte de laboratorio en vez de 'suposición' no es presumir; es ser exacto.
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