How to Introduce Homophones
The word "homophone" means same sound. Therefore, homophones, also called "homonyms," are words in the English language that sound alike but have different spellings and definitions. Homophones can make the English language difficult; however, lower elementary students need to understand them to be successful in spelling, reading and writing. Fortunately, children usually catch on to homophones quickly, and they enjoy brainstorming words to add to a class list. After a few simple classroom activities, most students should understand what they are and why they need to know them.
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Instructions
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Instructions
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Choose a homophone, such as the word "reign," and ask students to make up a sentence with the word. Accept all answers, even if they use "rain" in a sentence. Next, write the words "rain" and "reign" on the board. Ask if they know the definitions of both.
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Explain that "reign" and "rain" are homophones. Tell them that homophones are words that sound alike but have different spellings and meanings.
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Ask students to brainstorm as many homophones as they can. Write their answers on chart paper to display in class as they continue to learn about homophones.
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Give each student an index card with a pair of homophones on it. Instruct them to use both homophones in one sentence. For example: An "ant" bit my "aunt" on the foot. Let students share their sentences with the class.
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Put students in pairs and give each pair a set of homophones. They should each draw a picture of one of the homophones in the pair and write their word somewhere on the illustration. When everyone finishes, collect the drawings and bind them together to make a class homophone book.
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Encourage students to look for homophones when they read books or study their spelling words. Keep adding the homophones they find to the class list.
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Tips & Warnings
Reinforce a homophone lesson by reading a children's book that illustrates the concept.
When you teach homophones, also explain homographs to avoid confusion. Unlike homophones, we spell homographs the same, but they have different meanings. For example, "wave" means to wave with your hand, or it can mean a wave in the ocean. Although we spell these words the same, we pronounce some homographs differently, depending on the intended meaning. Consider live, read, record or minute.
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