An introduction to homophones, common examples, visual quizzes and an exercise worksheet

This lesson aims to provide an introduction to homophones, common examples and their uses in sentences and spelling tips.

1. Lesson aim and objectives:
   Aim: To introduce students to homophones and how to use them in context.
   Objectives:
   Define what a homophone is.
   List examples of common homophones and write own sentences.
   Correct sentences using homophones.
2. Initially I like to ask students if any body has any prior knowledge of homophones, before showing the definitions on the first slide of the presentation.
3. Discussion about how homophones can change the meanings of sentences, using comedic illustrations.
4. Some common mistakes that may be familiar with students; their there they’re, too two to, where were we’re. Dependant on ability level it could be useful to ask students to correctly use each of the nine homophones by writing sentences, however some groups may not need this practise.
5. Shows the correct use of each.
6. Short quiz using images of common homophone pairs, example: Board and bored. The images make the quiz more fun. Students can complete this individually, in pairs or as a group activity. Answers displayed on slide.
7. Some tips for helping students remember homophone pairs and the correct usage.
8. A second, more difficult quiz again using images, which works well if students work together in pairs. Dependant on ability you may need to provide clues or allow students to use dictionaries.
9. Worksheet where students chose the correct homophones to use in a sentence. Again, dictionaries may be useful. Or the attached ‘homophone bank’ which has the definitions of each homophone pair can be used as a ‘help sheet’. The aim of the homophone bank is that students can add new homophone pairs to it as the come across them.