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4th grade · English Language Arts · Unit 8 of 13

Sound-Alikes

Homophones and homographs

What your child practices

Choosing between words that sound alike (there/their/they're, to/too/two, its/it's) and using context to tell which meaning of a word like “bark” or “bow” is meant.

Alaska content standards learning standard: L.4.4; L.4.5 · homophones and homographs

How we explain it

Children can open this short lesson before they practice.

  1. Homophones sound the same but are spelled differently: there, their, they’re.
  2. Test contractions by saying the long form: it’s = it is, they’re = they are.
  3. Homographs are spelled the same with different meanings (bark). Use the sentence to pick the meaning.

Example: “___ going to the park after lunch.” there, their or they’re? Try the long form: “They are going to the park.” That makes sense, so use the contraction. Answer: they’re

Sound-Alikes in Alaska

In the Alaska content standards, this is unit 8 of 13 in 4th grade English Language Arts, after Word Builders and before Paragraph Power.

Gradelings describes a child's practice on this unit as Beginning, Approaching, Meeting or Exceeding (Four practice steps). That reflects practice, not a report-card mark: the teacher decides the mark.

Source: Alaska Department of Education and Early Development

Sample questions

A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.

  1. Question 1

    Which word correctly completes the sentence?

    The twins brought ___ new puppy to the park.

    • there
    • their
    • they're

  2. Question 2

    Which sentence uses the right homophone?

    • The rode was covered in snow.
    • May I have a peace of cake?
    • Ravi rode his bike to school.

  3. Question 3

    What does “light” mean in this sentence?

    This box is light enough for me to carry.

    • brightness from the sun or a lamp
    • to start a fire
    • not heavy
    • pale in color

  4. Question 4

    What does “rose” mean in this sentence?

    The sun rose over the hills.

    • a pink color
    • fell down
    • came up; went higher
    • a flower with thorns

  5. Question 5

    Which sentence uses the right homophone?

    • The squirrel dug a whole to hide its acorn.
    • The vet checked the puppy's wait.
    • Please wait for the green light.

  6. Question 6

    Which word correctly completes the sentence?

    The students hung ___ coats on the hooks.

    • there
    • their
    • they're

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