Context Clues: Synonyms and Antonyms

Context
In earlier grades, students learned about synonyms and antonyms using grade-level vocabulary.

Students have had previous lessons that recapped what synonyms and antonyms are. For this
lesson students will learn what context clues are, and how synonyms and antonyms can be used to
figure out what words mean.
During previous lessons, the students recapped on what synonyms and antonyms were. The
students completed work using context clues to decide whether words were synonyms or
antonyms.

In preparation for the upcoming CRCTs, the students will complete review activities using
synonyms, antonyms, and context clues.
The students will use various mobile apps to complete work that uses synonyms, antonyms, and
context clues.
Learning Objectives(s)
ELACC5RL4: Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including
figurative language such as metaphors and similes.
ELACC5L4: Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and
phrases based on grade 5 reading content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
c. Consult reference materials (e.g., dictionaries, glossaries, thesauruses), both print and
digital, to find the pronunciation and determine or clarify the precise meaning of key
words and phrases.
ELACC5L5: Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances
in word meanings.
c. Use the relationship between particular words (e.g., synonyms, antonyms,
homographs) to better understand each of the words.
ELACC5W4: Produce clean and coherent writing in which the development and organization are
appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

Objectives:
The students will write type sentences using words that are either synonyms or antonyms of
each other in a sentence, providing context clues.
The students will assess sentences and choose whether the words are synonyms or antonyms
of each other using context clues.
The student will choose another classmates work to evaluate their sentence and decide
whether the words are synonyms or antonyms of each other using context clues.


Essential Question(s)
How can we use context clues to decide whether words are synonyms or antonyms of each other?

Name: Ashley Miller Date: March 12, 2013
Age/Grade Level: 5
th
grade Number of Students: 3 blocks (24 students)
Number of Students with IEP: 0 Number of Gifted Students: 3
English Language Learners: Unit/Lesson Title: Synonyms and Antonyms
Subjects: Reading and Language Arts Lesson Length: 45-60 minutes
Resources, Media and Technology
Clue Game:
Index card
Synonym/Antonym cards (see following pages for cards)
Thesaurus
Two different colored papers
BrainPop Mobile App
Provides entertaining and informational videos for students
Context Clues video
Synonym, Antonym, and Homonym video
Socrative.com/Mobile App
Allows teachers to create assessments for students to access and then collects the data for
the teachers to see the students progress
Students will take a quiz or play a game to decide whether words in a sentence
are synonyms or antonyms by using context clues.
Thesaurus Rex App
A mobile dictionary thesaurus for students
Synonym/Antonym/Defintions
Popplet Lite App
Create graphic organizers and collaboration with others
Mind map

Procedures
As a review or in preparation for the activities, the students will use the BrainPop program/app to
watch videos about Context Clues and Synonym, Antonym, and Homonyms. Students will do this
individually.
o After the videos TTW assess the students knowledge by asking questions about synonyms
and antonyms (e.g., give an example of a synonym, etc.).
What are context clues?
What is a synonym? Give me an example.
What is an antonym? Give an example.
TTW then discuss the activity for the day and hand out materials or equipment to the students.
Individually: Students will be given a limited amount of time to write a sentence using the word on
their card; providing context clues to what the word means using a synonym or antonym as directed
on the card. Students may use a thesaurus or dictionary to define the word to help them write their
sentences.
o Students will be given a word from the list below.
o TSW use the app Thesaurus Rex to find the synonym or antonym of the word.
o TSW then use the app PoppletLite to start a Mind Map of the word by making the central
popple a sentence they created using the synonym or antonym of the word and context clues.
Students will share the popplet with the rest of the class.
Each student will need to choose at least one other classmates popplet and tell
whether they think the words are synonyms or antonyms of each other. And how did
they decide that (what words gave them the clue?).
o Students will be given a limited amount of time to complete a quiz on Socrative.com/app that
assesses students knowledge of using context clues to decide whether words are synonyms
or antonyms of each other.
Partners: To decide if the sentence was written correctly. Students will play the space race game on
Socrative.com/app as partners against other partners within the class. The game will have sentences
that use either synonym or antonyms of each other. The students will need to use context clues to
decide whether the words are synonyms or antonyms.
Whole Group: TSW be split into two teams. TSW go to the front of the class and read their
sentences to the opposing side. The opposing side will hold up the colored paper (TTW designate
which color stands for synonym and which color is for antonym). TTW then call a student from the
opposing side-with their card up-to guess what the word means. If the student gets it right, their team
gets a point. If the student can also correctly identify the synonym or antonym that provides a context
clue for the word, the team will get an extra point.
For a summary, TTW recap with the students about the lesson.

Assessments
TTW assess the students knowledge with the cards and questions.
TTW assess the students knowledge with the mobile apps Socrative quiz and Space Race, and
PoppletLite.

Students without Mobile Devices:
For students without mobile devices, any of these activities could be accessed from the classroom
computers. All of the mobile apps are computer accessible.
Students could also complete the marked out activities using paper and pencil.


On the following pages you will find replicas of the synonym and antonym cards.

absent
(use an antonym)
factual
(use an synonym)
serious
(use an antonym)
excess
(use an synonym)
poverty
(use an antonym)
accurate
(use an synonym)
permanent
(use an antonym)
irritable
(use an synonym)
private
(use an antonym)
reply
(use an synonym)
gloomy
(use an antonym)
vanish
(use an synonym)
freedom
(use an antonym)
fragile
(use an synonym)
innocent
(use an antonym)
subdued
(use an synonym)

deny
(use an antonym)
discover
(use an synonym)
certain
(use an antonym)
injure
(use an synonym)
feeble
(use an antonym)
common
(use an synonym)
complicated
(use an antonym)
strike
(use an synonym)
unaware
(use an antonym)
perish
(use an synonym)
bitter
(use an antonym)
purchase
(use an synonym)
maximum
(use an antonym)
emotions
(use an synonym)
attractive
(use an antonym)
exhausted
(use an synonym)

disrespect
(use an antonym)
famous
(use an synonym)
miniature
(use an antonym)
comprehend
(use an synonym)
coward
(use an antonym)
snooze
(use an synonym)
absurd
(use an antonym)
adore
(use an synonym)
shallow
(use an antonym)
complicated
(use an synonym)
timid
(use an antonym)
mumble
(use an synonym)
abundant
(use an antonym)
express
(use an synonym)
persistent
(use an antonym)
contrast
(use an synonym)