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The term homograph refers to words that are spelled the same but have different meanings. Learning homographs can be especially difficult for emerging bilingual students. Teaching the concept of homographs requires a lot of visual aids, practice, and engaging activities. The lessons below include examples of homographs, homograph riddles, homograph sentences, and a chart of homographs. The lessons are fun and engaging and challenge students to find clarity about homographs as they work through each activity. Here are 10 Highly Effective Homograph Activities.

1. Homograph Meaning Cards

In this activity, students match vocabulary cards with the meaning of the words using meaning cards. Kids play the matching game with partners. One student draws a meaning card from the top of the deck, and then they have to choose the card that best matches the meaning from the vocabulary cards.

Learn More: FCRR.org

2. Homograph Word Search

Kids hunt for homographs using the clues given in the word search. Kids have to first solve the clue in order to figure out what word to hunt for. Each clue gives two definitions for the homograph. This activity can also be adapted by having the kids create their own homograph word search. 

Learn More: Math Worksheets 4 Kids

3. Homograph Chart

This chart provides a great visual for students to use to demonstrate an understanding of homographs. Teachers can show students this premade chart as an example and then have the kids create their own charts to show off their repertoire of homographs. 

Learn More: Math Worksheets 4 Kids

4. Read the Room

For this homograph activity, kids get up and move around the room. As students circulate the classroom, they look for a pair of homographs to record. They then draw pictures to show each meaning of the different homographs. 

Learn More: The Lemonade Stand Teacher

5. Homographs Read-A-Loud

A great way to teach the concept of homographs is to introduce words using a fun text. A great example of a fun, homograph read-a-loud is The Bass Plays the Bass and Other Homographs. Kids read this book and then record the homograph and each meaning of the word using an anchor chart.

Learn More: Sweet Tooth Teaching

6. Multiple Meaning Sentence Matching

In this activity, students match homographs to their multiple meanings and then find the two sentences to utilize the words. Once they match the word to the definitions and sentences, students then write each meaning in their own words on their graphic organizer. 

Learn More: Sweet Tooth Teaching

7. Homograph Board Game

Kids must work around the gameboard, answering questions about homographs and identifying words with multiple meanings. There is a digital format available as well. 

Learn More: The Teacher Next Door

8. I Have…Who Has…

This is a game for the entire class to learn the concept of homographs. One student begins the game by standing up and saying, “I have…” plus the homograph. Then, the student who has that word stands up and reads their homograph, and so on.

Learn More: Top Teacher

9. Homograph Hunt

In this activity, students work with sentences and find the homograph. Students underline the homograph in the sentence and then choose the correct meaning of the homograph based on how it’s used in the sentence.

Learn More: Teacher Planet

10. Read and Replace

This comprehension activity challenges students to read a passage and then fill in the blanks with the correct word. Each word is used more than once but uses a different sense of the word. There are also additional resources like Homograph Hopscotch in the packet.

Learn More: Sylvan Learning