TYPES OF MINILESSONS

 PROCEDURAL  
  •  time structure
  • folders
  • peer conferences
  •  editing
  • topic generation
  • other
 SKILLS/STRATEGIES  
  •  spelling
  • punctuation
  • grammar
  •  phonics
  • tracking
  • other
 LITERARY  
  •  genre
  • author's style
  • research
  • contrasting versions
  •  contrasting authors
  • voice
  • other
 STORY ELEMENTS  
  •  leads
  • phrasing
  • word choice
  • beginning, middle, end
  • expository
  • voice
  •  paragraph
  • theme
  • style
  • characters
  • climax
  • problem
 DESIGN  
  •  illustrations
  • borders
  • organization
  •  format
  • dedication
  • shape, size

 TOPIC:

Parts of speech - synonyms/antonyms

 GRADE LEVEL(S):

3 - 4

 BOOK(S):

Cowardly Clyde, Bill Peet
In Other Words: A Beginning Thesaurus, Andrew Schiller and William Jenkins

 MATERIALS:

chalk
chalkboard
flip chart paper

 MINI-LESSON DESCRIPTION:
Read aloud Cowardly Clyde. Discuss the two terms "brave" and "coward". Ask if they mean the same or opposite. Formalize the definitions of synonyms and antonyms. Make two columns on the chalk board headed by brave and coward.. Using the thesauraus, have the students find synonyms for each word and list it under that word. Ask students to write sentences using the words they have discovered.
 ASSOCIATED ACTIVITY:
Have the students elect one of the listed words as "Word for the Week". For instance, spineless might be selected. Using the flip chart, keep track of how often and by whom the word is used correctly in the contex of conversatin. (Tip - a rule would be established that if its use referred to another student or staff member, 2 points would be deducted.