Synonyms and Antonyms Apple Cutouts: Grades 1-5

Synonyms and antonyms are a vital part of a student's understanding of figurative language, and of words' relationships to each other. Learning the basics of synonyms and antonyms will give students the ability to express themselves more clearly, expand their vocabulary, and add emphasis to their speech and writing. 

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.5.5.C
Use the relationship between particular words (e.g., synonyms, antonyms, homographs) to better understand each of the words. 

CCSS. ELA-LITERACTY.L.2.4.A
Use sentence-level context as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.

CCSS. ELA-LITERACTY.L.2.5.B 
Distinguish shades of meaning among closely related verbs (e.g., toss, throw, hurl) and closely related adjectives (e.g., thin, slender, skinny, scrawny).

1. Cut out apples 

2. Determine antonym sets appropriate for your students' grade level and write pairs on apple cutouts

3. Cut apples in puzzle-like pairs for students to put together

4. Go over definition of anytonyms with class and "I can" Common Core targets before assigning students to complete pairing task individually or in groups. 

1. Cut out apples & leaves

2. Determine synonym and antonym sets appropriate for your students' grade level and write them on leaves

3. Mix leaves together

4. Go over definition of synonyms and anytonyms with class and "I can" Common Core targets before assigning students to complete pairing task individually or in groups

5. Instruct students to either pair antonym leaves on blank apples, or add onto the lesson above and add synonym leaves to respective apples. 

How do you teach students synonyms and antonyms? What sort of barriers cause students to struggle with these concepts? We'd love to hear from you--let us know in the comments!

This lesson was adapted from a lesson found at Classroom Freebies via TeachWithMe.com