You will learn
- Say that some words have more than one meaning.
- Give two meanings of a word.
- Use the sentence to find the meaning.
- Use a word in two sentences.
Version 0.2 · expanded edition · built from cited public sources Content is based on the official frameworks and sources listed under Sources and standards. No official endorsement is claimed. Written in the style of common primary school assessments. No exam result is promised.
Student lesson
- One word can have more than one meaning.
- Bat can be an animal or a thing used in a game.
- The sentence tells us which meaning.
- Check that it makes sense.
Words to know
what a word tells us
an animal that flies, or a stick used in a game
the words around a word
meaning
1. Discover: Two bats
Kofi says, “I saw a bat in the cave.” Ama says, “I hit the ball with a bat.” “Both are bats,” says their teacher. “But they are different bats! The first is an animal and the second is a stick for a game. The sentence tells us which.”
Think: What other word can mean two things?
2. Understand: Same word, different meanings
Idea 1: One word, more meanings
Some words have more than one meaning: bat, ring, light, duck, fly.
Idea 2: Look at the sentence
The other words in the sentence help us. “The bat flew out of the cave” is an animal. “He hit it with a bat” is a game stick.
Idea 3: Check
Ask: does the meaning make sense in the sentence? If not, try the other meaning.
3. Worked examples
Example 1 (I show you): Which meaning?
The bat flew out of the cave.
- Look at flew and cave.
- Which meaning fits?
Answer: the animal
Example 2 (We do it together): Which meaning?
He hit the ball with a bat.
- Look at hit the ball.
- Which meaning fits?
Answer: the game stick
Example 3 (You try): Two sentences
Make two sentences with duck.
Show the steps and answer
- One for the bird.
- One for the action.
Answer: The duck swims. I duck down.
Did you know?
The word set has more than 400 meanings in a big dictionary!
Why this matters
Knowing that a word may have two meanings helps you understand what you read.
4. Explore: Same word, two ways
Make two sentences for a word.
- Choose a word, such as ring.
- Say a sentence for one meaning.
- Say a sentence for the other meaning.
- Draw both.
Think about it: what did you notice?
One word can mean different things.
5. Practise
Say it in a sentence
Use these starters when you talk about the lesson. Say them out loud.
- The word ___ can mean ___ or ___.
- In this sentence it means ___.
- The clue is ___.
- It makes sense because ___.
Guided practice
Question 1. The bat flew out of the cave. Meaning?
the animal
Question 2. He hit the ball with a bat. Meaning?
the game stick
Question 3. A duck swims. Meaning?
the bird
Independent practice
Level 1: Start
- A bat can fly. Meaning?
- I wear a ring. Meaning?
- The phone will ring. Meaning?
- Some words have more than one ___.
- The ___ tells us which meaning.
Level 2: Grow
- Give two meanings of the word duck.
- A light is on. Meaning?
- The bag is light. Meaning?
Level 3: Stretch
- Write two sentences for the word ring.
- How do we know which meaning is right?
- Ama says a bat is only an animal. Is she right?
Answers are in the answer key below. Try first, then check.
6. Apply: English in everyday life
Look for a word with two meanings in a book or sign.
Show a sample answer
Light: not heavy, or a lamp.
Another one. Draw both meanings of a word.
Show a sample answer
Pictures of a bat animal and a bat stick.
7. Common mistakes
Fix: Try the other meaning.
Fix: The sentence tells which meaning.
8. Lesson summary and revision card
- I can say some words have more than one meaning.
- I can give two meanings.
- I can use the sentence to find the meaning.
- I can use a word in two sentences.
9. Check and master
Answer all 14 questions. You will see feedback after each one.
Your result appears here after you answer every question.
10. Key takeaways
- Some words have more than one meaning.
- The sentence helps us choose.
- Check it makes sense.
- Try the other meaning if needed.
11. Next lesson
Next lesson: Vocabulary from stories. Keep going with the next idea in this course.
Exam practice
These questions are written in the style of common school and international primary assessments. Try them on your own, without looking back. Then check your answers in the marking guide. The marks are shown in brackets.
- What do we mean by multiple-meaning words? [1 mark]
- Give two meanings of bat. [2 marks]
- The bag is light. What does light mean? [1 mark]
- Write two sentences for the word ring. [2 marks]
- Explain how we find the right meaning of a word. [3 marks]
Total: 9 marks.
Marking guide and model answers
- words with more than one meaning [1]
- an animal [1]; a stick used in a game [1]
- not heavy [1]
- one meaning [1]; the other meaning [1]
- read the sentence [1]; use clues [1]; check it makes sense [1]
Score guide: 8 to 9 = secure. 6 to 7 = nearly there, revise the parts you missed. Under 6 = work through the lesson again with a grown-up.
Printable worksheet
- Some words have more than one ___.
- Bat can mean an animal or a ___.
- Duck can mean a bird or to ___ down.
- Light can mean a lamp or not ___.
- Ring can mean jewellery or to make a ___.
- The sentence tells us the ___.
- True or false: every word has only one meaning.
- Give two meanings of a word.
- Draw both meanings of bat.
- Write a sentence with the word light.
Homework
Find three words with two meanings at home and use each in two sentences.
Answer key and marking scheme
| Question | Expected response | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Some words have more than one ___. | meaning | 1 |
| 2. Bat can mean an animal or a ___. | stick | 1 |
| 3. Duck can mean a bird or to ___ down. | bend | 1 |
| 4. Light can mean a lamp or not ___. | heavy | 1 |
| 5. Ring can mean jewellery or to make a ___. | sound | 1 |
| 6. The sentence tells us the ___. | meaning | 1 |
| 7. True or false: every word has only one meaning. | false | 1 |
| 8. Give two meanings of a word. | two valid meanings | 1 |
| 9. Draw both meanings of bat. | two pictures | 1 |
| 10. Write a sentence with the word light. | a valid sentence | 1 |
| Total | 10 |
Independent practice answers. Level 1: 1 the animal; 2 jewellery; 3 make a sound; 4 meaning; 5 sentence. Level 2: 1 a bird; to bend down quickly; 2 a lamp; 3 not heavy. Level 3: 1 two sentences with different meanings; 2 the sentence tells us; 3 no, it can also be a stick for a game.
Quiz answers: 1 B, 2 C, 3 A, 4 B, 5 C, 6 A, 7 B, 8 C, 9 A, 10 B, 11 C, 12 A, Challenge 1 B, Challenge 2 C.
Mastery and remediation
| Objective | Bronze (Developing) | Silver (Proficient) | Gold (Advanced) |
|---|---|---|---|
| O1 Say that some words have more than one meaning | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O2 Give two meanings of a word | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O3 Use the sentence to find the meaning | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O4 Use a word in two sentences | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
Courseversity badge thresholds (overall quiz score): Gold = 90–100%; Silver = 80–89.9%; Bronze = 70–79.9%. A badge is never a full record of progress.
If a learner struggles
- Find the misconception: Using only one meaning. Try the other meaning.
- Explain another way: use real objects, pictures or actions first, then words.
- Show a simpler example: Use pictures for each meaning.
- Guided practice: work through one example together and let the learner try the next one.
- Reassess: use the quiz again or the worksheet.
- Move on when the learner shows Silver-level evidence independently.
For parents and guardians
In this lesson your child learns that some words have more than one meaning. You do not need to be an expert to help.
- Play word games with bat, ring and light.
- Ask: which meaning here?
- Draw both meanings.
- Ask “how do you know?” after each answer, and listen.
- Praise effort, not only right answers. Mistakes are how we learn.
- Ten to fifteen minutes a day is better than one long session.
Teacher package
1–5. Objectives, prerequisites, materials, preparation, duration
Lesson objectives. Learners will: say that some words have more than one meaning; give two meanings of a word; use the sentence to find the meaning; use a word in two sentences.
Prerequisite knowledge. Word categories.
Materials. Chart paper or board, pencils, picture or word cards, a reading book if available. Low-resource options: use chalk or charcoal on a board or wall, drawings in the sand, and objects from the classroom instead of printed materials.
Preparation. Write the key words and examples on the board or on cards before the lesson.
Suggested duration. 45–60 minutes. It can be split into two shorter sessions.
6–9. Teaching procedure, explanation notes, guided and independent activities
Introduction (5 min). Say a bat sentence and ask which meaning.
Explanation (10 min). Teach multiple meanings.
Guided activity (10 min). Practise with pictures.
Independent activity (10 min). Learners share their sentences.
Assessment and reflection (5 min). Ask each learner to say one thing they learned and how they know it.
Key questions. What does the word mean here? What clue tells you?
Teacher explanation notes. Move from the spoken word to pictures and then to print. Read aloud often, point to the words, and let learners hear and say before they read and write.
10–12. Differentiation, formative assessment, common misconceptions
Support. Use pictures for each meaning. Extension. Look up words in a children’s dictionary.
Formative assessment. Listen to learners read and explain, ask “how do you know?”, and check the independent work.
Misconceptions. Using only one meaning. Try the other meaning.
13–15. Assessment questions, answer keys, marking scheme
Use the quiz, the 9-mark exam practice and the worksheet on this page. All answers and marking guides are in the answer sections above. Re-check every answer before use.
16–19. Remediation, enrichment, homework, teacher reflection
Remediation. Use pictures for each meaning. Enrichment. Find words with three meanings. Homework. See above.
Teacher reflection. After teaching, record: which ideas learners understood; which misconceptions occurred; which activities worked; which learners need more practice; and what to improve next time.
Sources and standards
This lesson is based on the sources below, and no official endorsement is claimed. Reference starting points: Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts, Cambridge Primary and the IB Primary Years Programme. Where a standard code is named, it points to the official framework.
Official standards for this topic area. Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts (official site): Grade 1 » Language. These pages list the standards that cover this topic area; read them alongside the lesson.
Research used to shape this lesson. Common Core L.1.4.a (use sentence-level context as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase) and L.1.5; Education Endowment Foundation Improving Literacy in Key Stage 1 guidance (vocabulary); Cambridge Primary English Stage 1 (vocabulary). These sources informed the lesson.