Looking for a grammar game to teach or revisit synonyms and antonyms in UKS2?
This pack contains a loop card game that is perfect for a whole class or small groups to develop vocabulary choices by exploring synonyms and antonyms.
This simple game asks pupils to find words that are synonyms or antonyms to create a loop, with each card having an answer and a new question. There are 32 cards, allowing the game to be played by the whole class as a starter activity to revisit previous learning; or groups could create the loop as part of a main teaching activity on synonyms and antonyms.
Once the resource is created, it can be used time and time again to revisit this area of learning as part of whole class teaching or an intervention for pupils who may need further support.
What is a synonym?
Synonyms are words with the same or a similar meaning. The words fast, speedy and rapid are synonyms of the word quick.
Why do we use synonyms?
Using synonyms helps to develop children’s vocabulary in spoken and written language. Vocabulary choices can communicate information more clearly through careful use of synonyms, creating a more vivid image for the reader or listener. For example, we could write the following.
I saw a large animal in the distance.
Or, we could use our knowledge of synonyms to write this, which gives a scarier image for the reader as we are unsure what the creature might be.
I saw a monstrous beast in the distance.
Synonyms can also create cohesion when writing, using words with similar meaning to link parts of the text.
What is an antonym?
Antonyms are words that have opposite meanings. The words quick and slow are antonyms for each other.
Why do we use antonyms?
Using antonyms helps to develop children’s vocabulary in spoken and written language and can be used to show contrast.
Examples of antonyms include the following:
- big – small
- quick – slow
- old – young
National Curriculum programme of study links
Year 6 English Appendix 2
- How words are related by meaning as synonyms and antonyms