RIC-6242 Primary Grammar and Word Study - Book C

Understanding and
choosing words
Homographs
Focus
Homographs
Definition
• Homographs are words that are spelt the same but
have different meanings.
Example:
tap – a device used to control the flow of water
tap – to touch lightly, as on the shoulder
Sometimes homographs are pronounced differently.
Example:
bow (rhymes with cow) – to bend or stoop down to
an audience
bow (rhymes with toe) – a knot with two hoops
and two ends/the playing stick used with a violin
Explanation
• Recognising and using different homographs
develops and enriches students’ vocabulary. They
learn to understand the meaning of words and the
way they work in print.
Worksheet information
• As an introduction, give two ‘What am I?’ clues to
the students to demonstrate two different meanings
for the same word.
Example:
Clue 1: I am long and grey. I am found on an
elephant. I am a type of nose.
Clue 2: I am made of wood. I am the main part of
a tree.
Ask them to guess the word and discuss the
different meanings. Students may suggest other
meanings for ‘trunk’, such as a chest for storing
possessions or the main part of the human body.
• Complete Question 1 on the worksheet and discuss
the students’ answers as a class.
• In the crossword in Question 2, pairs of clues have
the same word (homograph) as the answer. The
different meanings for each word pair could be
made more obvious to the students if they colourcode
the two clues and the words in the crossword
the same colour. Discuss any other meanings
students suggest for any of the words.
• The word ‘tear’ is an example of a homograph that
has different pronunciations. Discuss this with the
students before they complete Question 3.
Ideas for further practice
• Students compile a class homograph chart for
reference. A word can be written with two or more
sentences underneath giving different meanings.
The word can be written in a different colour to
stand out. It may be useful to illustrate the meaning
of some words as well.
• Hold a competition to see which group can come up
with the most meanings for a homograph.
Answers
1. (a) a deep circular dish used to put food or liquid
in
(b) to throw a ball, as in the game of cricket
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2. Teacher check highlighted words.
1.
s t i c k
p
3. 4. 5.
o s l i g h t a
6.
t a p i e n
7.
o g b a n k
8.
m a t c h
9.
m r
10.
t e a r
s t i c k
11. 12.
a
p
3. (a) to rip
(b) a drop of water that falls from your eyes
t
h
2.
b
Primary grammar and word study 34
www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ®
ISBN 978-1-74126-766-2