SKIP TO CONTENT

Lesson Plan

Vocabulary Builders: Synonyms and Antonyms

In this engaging vocabulary lesson plan, students will learn to use a thesaurus to generate interesting synonyms and antonyms for several target words. Then, they will get up and *mingle* with their classmates with a synonym matching game!
Grade:
Subjects:
View aligned standards

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to generate synonyms and antonyms for target words.

Introduction

(5 minutes)
  • Draw a circle on the board with the word "big" inside. This is the start of a word web.
  • In blue, draw a line out from the center circle and write the word "large."
  • Ask students to call out other words that have a similar meaning to the word "big." Branch out from the center circle, and write their answers in blue.
  • Remind students that words that have similar meanings are called synonyms. Write the definition on the board in blue.
  • In red, draw a line out from the center circle and write the word "small."
  • Ask students to call out other words with meanings that are opposite of "big." Branch out from the center circle and write their answers in red.
  • Remind students that words with opposite meanings are called antonyms. Write the definition on the board in red.