Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Said is Dead Word Mat: Free Printable Chart for Year 2
- ForYear 2
- StageKey Stage 1
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Said is Dead Word Mat is a free printable chart for Year 2 (ages 6 to 7). Children meet six better words to use instead of 'said'. They think about when each word fits, then write their own sentence with it. It takes about 15 minutes and needs only a pencil.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages. Give page 1 to your child and keep page 2 for yourself. It has notes, help ideas, a stretch idea and the answers. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
Page 1 is a table with three columns: Word, When to use it, and My sentence. Children read each new word for 'said' and think about the kind of moment it suits. Then they write a sentence of their own using that word. The chart stays on the desk afterwards, so children can look back at it during later writing.
- Word
- When to use it
- My sentence
How the sheet builds better writing
Choose
Children look at each word and decide what it tells a reader. A word can show a loud voice, a quiet voice or a feeling.
Match
The column called When to use it helps children link each word to a moment, so they pick words for a reason and not just because they are new.
Write
In the My sentence column, children use each word in a sentence of their own. Using a word is the best way to make it stick.
Reuse
Keep the chart beside the writing book. Children can look at it when they write a story or a piece of dialogue.
Why children need more than 'said'
'Said' is a useful word, and writers still use it. The trouble starts when a story uses it again and again. Teachers often use the phrase 'said is dead' to remind children that other words can tell the reader more. A different word can show how a character feels or how their voice sounds.
For children aged 6 to 7, this is a gentle first step into richer vocabulary. Learning a word is easier when it links to something they can see or hear. That is why acting out each word first helps. A child who has whispered or shouted a line understands why a writer chose that word.
Skills and curriculum link
- Vocabulary
- Sentence writing
- Writing speech
- Choosing the right word
- Reading carefully
Ideas for choosing a word
- Think about the voiceAsk how the character sounds. Is the voice loud, soft, quick or slow? The voice often points to the right word.
- Think about the feelingA character might be happy, cross, scared or excited. The word can show that feeling without extra explanation.
- Say it aloudRead the sentence in a voice that matches the word. If it sounds odd, try a different word.
- Keep the speaker clearUse the same name in each sentence. Then the child can focus on the word, not on inventing new characters.
Key words
- SynonymA word that means nearly the same as another word.
- SentenceA group of words that makes sense. It starts with a capital letter and usually ends with a full stop, question mark or exclamation mark.
- SpeechThe words a person says out loud.
- Speech marksMarks that go around the exact words someone says.
- Capital letterThe big letter used at the start of a sentence and for names.
- Tone of voiceHow a voice sounds, such as soft, loud or cheerful.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2 for yourself, as it has the notes and answers.
- Read the words on the chart together. Act each one out before any writing starts, using your voice and your face.
- Talk about the When to use it column. Ask your child to say what kind of moment suits each word.
- Let your child write a sentence for each word in the My sentence column. Praise good thinking, not only neat writing.
- Check against page 2 together. Come back to the sheet another day, because repeating a familiar activity builds confidence.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Choose three words only. Say each sentence out loud first, then write it down. Use the same name each time, such as Sam, so there is one less thing to think about. Add the other words on another day when your child feels ready.
To stretch confident children
Add speech marks and a capital letter to each sentence. Then think of two more words that could replace 'said' and add them to the chart with a sentence each. Read the finished sentences aloud in matching voices.
Make it a game
Play 'Say it like'. One child reads 'Hello' in a whispered, shouted or laughing voice. The others guess which word fits. Take turns. The child who guesses correctly reads the next one, then everyone writes the word down.
Mistakes to watch for
Watch forA child writes the same sentence for every word and only swaps the new word in.
Try thisAct out each word first. Then ask what the character might actually say in that voice, and change the words spoken to match.
Watch forA child picks a word that does not fit the moment.
Try thisAsk them to read the sentence aloud in the voice the word suggests. If it sounds wrong, look at the When to use it column together.
Watch forA sentence has the new word but no clear speaker.
Try thisRemind your child to say who is speaking. Use the same name each time, then check that the sentence says who did the speaking.
Talk about it
- Which of these words would you most like to use in a story? Why?
- How does your voice change when you are excited? What about when you are cross?
- Can you think of a time when 'said' is the best word to use?
- What does a reader learn from a word that is better than 'said'?
- Which word was trickiest to use, and what helped you?
- Can you spot an interesting word for speaking in your favourite book?
Take it off the page
Voice hunt
Read a favourite picture book together. Each time a character speaks, talk about how their voice might sound. Try reading it aloud in that voice.
Puppet chat
Make two simple puppets from paper bags or socks. Let them talk to each other, and take turns describing how each puppet sounds.
Word wall
Write each new word on a slip of paper. Stick the slips on a wall or door. Add new ones whenever your child finds an interesting word in a book.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit with your child for the first go and let them lead. Read and act out the words together before writing starts. About 15 minutes is plenty. Praise effort and thinking, and come back to the sheet another day.
Teachers
Use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, homework or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing. Page 2 gives support and stretch ideas for mixed ability groups, and the chart can stay on desks during writing.
Home educators
Print it as part of a wider plan for vocabulary and writing. It pairs well with reading aloud, drama and everyday talk. You can print it again for brothers and sisters or to revisit the words a few weeks later.
Where this fits in your child's learning
Before this sheet, children learn to write simple sentences with a capital letter and a full stop. They also meet speech in books, in stories read aloud and in everyday talk. Acting out voices and feelings helps them link words to meaning.
After this sheet, children can use the chart in their own stories and begin to punctuate speech with speech marks. Over time they build a bigger bank of words for speaking, and learn to choose the one that suits their character and their reader.
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Said is Dead Word Mat for?
It is written for Year 2 (ages 6 to 7), in Key Stage 1. Younger children can try it with help, and older children can use the stretch idea on page 2 to make it harder.
- What will children practise?
Children learn six interesting words to use instead of 'said'. They think about when each word fits and write a sentence of their own with each one. It builds vocabulary and sentence writing.
- How long does it take?
It takes about 15 minutes. Acting out the words first helps children understand them. If time is short, choose three words and do the rest on another day.
- What if it feels too hard?
Choose three words only. Say each sentence out loud before writing it, and use the same name each time. Come back for the other words on another day, once your child feels more confident.
- Is it free?
Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use. You can print it again for brothers, sisters or revision a few weeks later.
- Can teachers use it in class?
Yes. Teachers can use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, homework or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing, and page 2 has help and stretch ideas for mixed ability groups.
- Do I need to print in colour?
No. It prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper. Print both pages, give page 1 to your child and keep page 2 for the grown up.
Preview the full PDF
Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.