Shades of Meaning
4/1/2025 | 1m 4sVideo has Closed Captions
Kids can differentiate similar verbs by using a concept called shades of meaning.
Shades of meaning allows kids to tell when a verb is more or less intense. Understanding this context helps kids pick up on nuances of word choices in stories.
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Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Learning to Read is a local public television program presented by WNPT
Funding for LEARNING TO READ is provided by the Dollar General Literacy Foundation and the Hays Foundation.
Shades of Meaning
4/1/2025 | 1m 4sVideo has Closed Captions
Shades of meaning allows kids to tell when a verb is more or less intense. Understanding this context helps kids pick up on nuances of word choices in stories.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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If you did a jump or a leap, which one would get you the highest in the air?
- [Speaker With Calm Tone] Shades of meaning are when action words mean something similar, but are more or less intense.
- [Instructor] Alright.
Who agrees?
- A jog is slower than a run, but a run is slower than a sprint.
To give your kids a better feel for shades of meaning, give them three cards with related verbs written on them.
After ordering the cards, your child can act out each verb to ensure understanding.
- This is a stare.
(cheerful music) And then what's a look?
(cheerful music) Just a look.
Yeah.
- Being able to distinguish between verbs can help a child when they read.
You did well!
No, you did great!
Actually, you did amazing!
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Learning to Read is a local public television program presented by WNPT
Funding for LEARNING TO READ is provided by the Dollar General Literacy Foundation and the Hays Foundation.