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Learning about Shades of Meaning


You might find that your second grade child is expanding his or her understanding of language this year. One of the things we work on is starting to explore shades of meaning. The CCSS for second grade (common core state standards) include the following: "Demonstrate understanding of word relationships and nuances in word meanings". Specifically,  we start to explore differences, some more subtle than others, between words*. Some of the words we look at include fall and collapse and cry and sob. We have a number of fun language arts centers but once in a while you may see it come up for extra practice on a morning work page or on something we send home. Therefore, I wanted to be sure you knew why were working on this concept.

* exact standard wording is: 
"CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.2.5.B
Distinguish shades of meaning among closely related verbs (e.g., toss, throw, hurl) and closely related adjectives (e.g., thin, slender, skinny, scrawny)."
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