Support pupils in KS2 to explore more ambitious vocabulary for their own writing using the activities provided in this resource pack. Each task – understand, explain, challenge, test, apply – explores how choosing more powerful synonyms for everyday verbs can change the meaning of a sentence, and give writing more impact.
Perfect for home learning, as an exercise before an independent writing task, or as a way to challenge more able learners in lower year groups, the worksheets are bright and engaging, using eye-catching images to fire children’s imaginations, and giving them the opportunity to apply their knowledge in creative writing activities.
This primary resource is divided into five sections:
- Understand
Match common verbs with a more-powerful alternative, write verb alternatives for words, and change the verbs in the example sentences for more-powerful ones
- Explain
Read the pairs of sentences and describe the effect that the more-powerful verb has in each. Then change the verbs in the given sentences and explain what effect that has
- Challenge
Write two sentences about each of the images shown. The first should have a common verb, then the second should have a powerful verb
- Test
Add powerful verbs to fill in the blanks in sentences, and underline them in a passage. Next, create a sentence for each of the powerful verbs given
- Apply
Write a short story about the image provided, using plenty of powerful verbs
What is a powerful verb?
If verbs describe an action, a powerful verb is a more interesting version of basic verbs that help to make writing more descriptive, exciting and engaging. Learning these will help expand children’s vocabularies and improve their speaking and writing skills.
Examples
- Sprinted, galloped or strode instead of ran
- Shouted, whispered or muttered instead of said
- Searched, eyeballed or perused instead of looked
- Snoozed, slumbered or dozed instead of slept
Powerful verb list
- Astound
- Chuckled
- Created
- Destroyed
- Devoured
- Discover
- Emerged
- Flopped
- Flung
- Grasp
- Leap
- Observe
- Plead
- Raged
- Scream
- Scribe
- Shudder
- Sprout
- Spy
- Stroll
- Stumble
- Whacked
- Whisper
- Withered
National Curriculum English programme of study links
Year 3/4 Writing - composition
Pupils should be taught to evaluate and edit by assessing the effectiveness of their own and others’ writing and suggesting improvements
Year 5/6 Writing - composition
Pupils should be taught to evaluate and edit by proposing changes to vocabulary, grammar and punctuation to enhance effects and clarify meaning