This is a fun review activity to support connotation and denotation in the classroom. I use this while formally teaching connotation and denotation, but also use it sporadically throughout the school year as a fun way to review! 

This video is part of the Continue to Know with WHRO TV series. Watch Kelly Sowden teach about connotation and denotation.

Students will review denotation and connotation. The teacher will provide examples. Students will then work independently or in pairs to replace the underlined words in the given sentences with synonyms that have either a positive connotation or a negative connotation. Students will share their answers with the class. 

The class forms a "Presidential Task Force" for a week, empowered by the president to find answers and make recommendations concerning the future of the national power grid. Task force members conduct daily debriefings with their research team and prepare a report and presentation of their findings for the president, using an actual policy document as a guide. Although this activity is geared towards fifth-grade and older students and Internet research capabilities are required, some portions may be appropriate for younger students.

English Instructional Plan – Identifying Denotation and Connotation 7-8