Practice Together
Read this passage aloud. Work with your class to make a Synonym Scale for the underlined words. Then discuss how using the scale helps you understand how the animals move.
Fish swim in the river.
Last summer, my family went camping near a river. We had a great time watching all the different fish swim around. Big fish moved slowly from one dark spot to another. Tiny fish zoomed around the rocks. We even saw a river eel glide through the water! We all laughed as my dog paddled around, chasing them all.
Try It!
Read this passage aloud. Notice the underlined synonyms. What are the fastest and slowest ways that river water moves, according to this writer? How do you know?
River water moves quickly over the rocks.
Have you ever thought about how river water moves at different speeds all the time? In deep, wide areas, the water flows gently. It splashes through rocky, shallower areas. Then it speeds down a hill and rushes over a waterfall. When it comes to a flat area, it crawls. It even stands still in pools at the edge of the river.