Use a Thesaurus
Supporting students as they develop a rich vocabulary is key to improving their writing. Our free "Use a Thesaurus" worksheet is the perfect tool for students in Grade 3 and Grade 4 who are learning about synonyms and practicing how to choose more precise words for their writing. This engaging activity helps students explore how to enhance their sentences with stronger word choices, leading to more vivid and interesting writing.
What’s Included in the Worksheet?
The "Use a Thesaurus" worksheet gives students practical experience in using a thesaurus to upgrade simple words to more effective synonyms. Here’s what makes this resource so valuable:
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Clear Instructions: Students are asked to read a sentence and find three better words for an underlined word using a thesaurus. Their
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chosen words must fit the meaning of the sentence so that it still makes sense.
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Example Provided: The worksheet includes an example to guide students:
My aunt and uncle from Newcastle are nice people.
Students might replace nice with kind, friendly, or generous.
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Variety of Sentences: The worksheet presents multiple sentences with underlined words for students to improve. This variety helps them think carefully about context and meaning as they select synonyms.
How This Worksheet Supports Learning
By completing the "Use a Thesaurus" worksheet, students will:
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Expand Their Vocabulary: Exposure to a range of synonyms helps students grow their word bank.
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Improve Writing Quality: Stronger word choices make narratives, reports, and persuasive texts more engaging.
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Develop Thesaurus Skills: Students gain confidence using reference tools to enhance their writing.
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Learn Contextual Awareness: The task reinforces the idea that not all synonyms work in every sentence—word choice must fit the context.
Tips for Using the Worksheet
Here are some ways teachers and parents can make the most of this free resource:
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Pair with Writing Tasks: After the activity, encourage students to revise a piece of writing, swapping out weak words for stronger synonyms.
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Collaborative Learning: Have students work in pairs to discuss their synonym choices and explain why their words fit.
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Thesaurus Exploration: Guide students through how to use a print or digital thesaurus effectively.
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Class Display: Create a word wall with the new vocabulary students discover during the activity.
Download Your Free Use a Thesaurus Worksheet
Whether you're a classroom teacher, homeschooler, or tutor, this free worksheet is a great addition to your grammar and writing lessons. Download it today and help your students become more thoughtful and creative writers!
