Comparing words can be an effective way to focus attention on subtle differences in word meanings. Even words we use often can be nuanced in ways we don’t fully recognize until we compare and/or contrast them with other words having similar meanings.In this podcast, we’re going to explore a variety of ways to compare word meanings in such a way that (hopefully) inspires us to closely consider our word choices as we express our thoughts with others in speech and in print.I’ll begin by sharing how you can use semantic gradients with kids. In educational settings, we often call this an exploration of “shades of meaning.” We’ll be considering word meanings and word relationships while placing them on a gradient. We’ll begin with our initial thoughts about word meanings, but a dictionary or dictionary app will be called upon to firm up our thinking.This work is very well suited for examining adjectives, or describing words, which are quite useful in everyday linguistic tasks. We’ll discover what we know while also nudging our kids toward using more sophisticated words and to strive to more accurately convey what they are trying to say. On Your Way Podcast, Dr. Christina Williams

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