New
New
Year 3
Rich vocabulary associated with clever or sly words
I can use the words 'shrewd', 'cunning' and 'devious' effectively in multiple contexts.
New
New
Year 3
Rich vocabulary associated with clever or sly words
I can use the words 'shrewd', 'cunning' and 'devious' effectively in multiple contexts.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- 'Shrewd' is an adjective which means clever or sharp-witted.
- 'Cunning' is an adjective which means sly or crafty.
- 'Devious' is an adjective which means cheating or sly.
Keywords
Noun - a naming word for people, places or things
Adjective - a word that describes a noun
Synonym - a word that has the same or similar meaning to another word
Word pair - words that often appear together
Common misconception
'Devious' can also mean (of a journey or route) out of the way or not straightforward.
Ensure pupils understand this is why 'path' and 'course' are also word pairs of devious. It is not that a path can be 'sly'.
It would be helpful to add images of 'clever or sly' characters from units you have been studying. Children could then use these as inspiration when writing their own sentences using the new vocabulary.
Teacher tip
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on
Open Government Licence version 3.0
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Starter quiz
Download starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.
What is a noun?
a word that describes a noun
a being or doing word
Q2.
What is an adjective?
a naming word for people, places or things
a being or doing word
Q3.
What is a word pair?
a word that has the same or similar meaning to another word
a naming word
Q4.
Which of these words would be an appropriate word pair for the adjective 'sly'?
baby
straw
Q5.
Match the adjectives to the most appropriate word pair.
metal
paper cut
flower
siren
Q6.
A synonym is a word that has the same or similar meaning to another word. Which two of these words are synonyms for 'cute'?
strong
sly
brave
Exit quiz
Download exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.
What adjective does this image represent?

self-conscious
wary
Q2.
What adjective does this image represent?

diffident
willowy
Q3.
Which of these words mean 'clever or sharp-witted'?
brazen
fiery
Q4.
Which of the following are word pairs for 'devious'?
honesty
shy
Q5.
Write the missing word to complete the sentence. Grit always asked __________ questions that showed how intelligent and sharp-witted he was.
loud
obvious
Q6.
Write the missing word to complete the sentence. Knowing that the direct route was blocked, the explorers opted for a __________ course through the dense forest.
cunning
loud
Q1 Mrs Wordsmith Q2 Mrs Wordsmith