Verbal Reasoning Lesson: Identifying Strange Words in Word Groups

Lagos State Primary 5 Verbal Reasoning Second Term Lesson Notes – Week 8

Subject: Verbal Reasoning

Class: Primary 5

Term: Second Term

Week: 8

Age: 9 – 10 years

Topic: Identifying the Strange Word in a Group

Sub-topic: Circle out the odd word in a given set

Behavioural Objectives:

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

1. Identify words that do not belong in a group.
2. Develop critical thinking and reasoning skills.
3. Improve vocabulary and understanding of word classification.
4. Explain why a word is different from others in the group.

Keywords:

Strange word, odd word, different, classification, category

Set Induction (Introduction)

The teacher displays different groups of objects or words on the board and asks the pupils which one is different and why. Example:

• Apple, Mango, Orange, Book (The book is different because it is not a fruit).
  The teacher explains that some words belong to a group while others do not, and our task is to find the “strange word” that does not belong.

Entry Behaviour:

Pupils are familiar with basic word categories such as names of objects, animals, and family members.

Learning Resources and Materials:

1. Flashcards with word groups
2. Charts with different categories of words
3. Pictures illustrating word groupings

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge:

The teacher reminds the pupils about word classification and grouping from previous lessons.

Embedded Core Skills:

• Critical Thinking
• Problem-solving
• Vocabulary Development
• Decision Making

Lesson Content: Circle Out the Strange Word

Sample Question:

Corpse, man, baby, women, boy

• Strange Word: Corpse (The rest are living people)

Classwork – Identify the Odd Word

1. Year, Month, Week, Bag, Day

   • Strange Word: Bag (The rest are time-related words)

2. Bedsheet, Bladder, Blanket, Bed, Pillow

   • Strange Word: Bladder (The rest are bedding materials)

3. Lip, Halves, Body, Elbow, Eye

   • Strange Word: Halves (The rest are body parts)

4. Room, Voices, Light, Umbrella, Radio

   • Strange Word: Umbrella (The rest are found in a room)

5. Several, Laugh, Few, Many, Little

   • Strange Word: Laugh (The rest indicate quantity)

6. School, Book, Pin, Rat, Pupil

   • Strange Word: Rat (The rest are related to education)

7. Leaf, Leaf, Branch, Smoke, Tree, Root

   • Strange Word: Smoke (The rest are parts of a tree)

8. Aunt, Sister, Lady, Far, Father

   • Strange Word: Far (The rest are related to family)

9. Rough, Taste, Milk, Sugar, Tea

   • Strange Word: Rough (The rest are related to food and taste)

10. Lamp, Table, Round, Leg, Net

    • Strange Word: Net (The rest are furniture parts)

11. Pulpit, Bible, Egg, Chair, Church

    • Strange Word: Egg (The rest are related to church)

12. Iron, Silver, Cup, Brass, Gold

    • Strange Word: Cup (The rest are metals)

13. Bottle, Street, Avenue, Lane, Road

    • Strange Word: Bottle (The rest are types of roads)

14. Clear, Washed, New, Clear, Write

    • Strange Word: Write (The rest describe cleanliness)

15. Black, Head, Stob, Hair, Shampoo, Dance

    • Strange Word: Dance (The rest are related to hair and head)

Class Activity Discussion

1. What is a “strange word” in a word group?

   • Answer: A word that does not belong to a particular group.

2. Why is “Corpse” the strange word in the example?

   • Answer: Because the rest are living people, but a corpse is not.

3. What is common among “Iron, Silver, Brass, and Gold”?

   • Answer: They are all metals.

4. Why is “Laugh” the strange word in “Several, Few, Many, Little”?

   • Answer: Because the rest describe quantity, but “laugh” is an action.

5. Why is “Rat” the odd word in “School, Book, Pin, Pupil”?

   • Answer: Because “Rat” is an animal, and the rest are school-related.

6. How can identifying strange words improve our thinking skills?

   • Answer: It helps us think critically and classify words correctly.

7. Why is “Egg” the odd one in “Pulpit, Bible, Chair, Church”?

   • Answer: Because the rest are related to a church, but “Egg” is food.

8. Why is “Smoke” the strange word in “Leaf, Branch, Tree, Root”?

   • Answer: Because the rest are parts of a tree, but smoke is not.

9. Why is “Write” the strange word in “Clear, Washed, New, Clean”?

   • Answer: Because the rest describe cleanliness, but “Write” is an action.

10. Can you create your own example of a word group with a strange word?

    • Answer: (Pupils create their own word groups).

Presentation Steps

1. Teacher Revises the Previous Topic – Asks pupils about grouping words.
2. Teacher Introduces the New Topic – Explains what a strange word is.
3. Teacher Provides Examples – Uses real-life and textbook examples.
4. Pupils Participate – They attempt questions and explain their choices.
5. Teacher Guides and Corrects Mistakes – Ensures correct reasoning.

Evaluation Questions

1. Circle the strange word: Apple, Mango, Table, Orange
2. Find the odd word: Dog, Cat, Chair, Goat
3. Identify the word that does not belong: Blue, Green, Round, Red
4. Choose the different word: Pencil, Book, Cup, Notebook
5. Find the strange word: Aeroplane, Car, Bicycle, Rice

Conclusion

• The teacher marks pupils’ work and provides feedback.
• Pupils explain their choices for better understanding.
• The teacher summarizes the key points of the lesson.