Spooky Synonyms and Antonyms

Trick or Treat? 

Need a fun activity for speech today? With a Halloween theme? Try Spooky Semantics from my TpT shop. It is only $3.00.

This is a card game that addresses synonyms, antonyms, and rhymes. One of the Top Ten Characteristics of Vocabulary Instruction is to focus on synonyms and antonyms. This activity targets this skill. Additionally, Common Core Standard L.5 for fourth and fifth grade will be addressed in this activity. Your students will demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.

With these 44 stimulus cards and 14 ghost cards, students have the opportunity to practice and learn synonyms, antonyms, and rhyming words. This activity will help them to distinguish between these three concepts and work to build their semantic knowledge. My students really enjoy the cute and colorful costumes featured in this game. The clip art is from Sweet Berry Patch and ClipArtopia. Here are some of the cards you will get in this set.

 

In addition, synonym, antonym and rhyme definition charts are provided and can be used for direct instruction before the game begins. They can also provide a visual reminder to students as to how they are supposed to answer on their turn.

 

A variety of games can be played with these cards:

1. Cards can be used for an open-ended task (where students draw one card at a time and provide a synonym, antonym, and/or rhyme).

2. Cards can be placed in the center of the table. Each player takes a turn drawing a card. They provide a synonym, antonym and/or rhyme and keep the card. If they pull a ghost card, they must put all of their cards back in the pile or give them to another player. Whoever has the most cards at the end of the game is the winner. 

These cards will look best in color, but are still fun when printed in grayscale. Print onto card-stock and laminate to use them again and again. Also, laminate the synonym, antonym and rhyme definition charts. 

An answer key has also been provided. I have listed some suggested answers. There may be even more! During therapy, I sometimes have trouble coming up with answers for some of the synonyms, antonyms or rhymes, so I thought this would help you feel confident during the activity!

Enjoy and check it out here: 

Spooky Semantics