Teaching grammar in first grade has to be one of my favorite things. Some topics like prefixes and compound sentences can be a little tricky at first, but I just LOVE to see that "lightbulb moment" when my students truly get it. I have found that building vocabulary with synonyms can follow that same path. While it's a bit confusing for my firsties initially, once they get it, they are so excited to start using synonyms in their writing. Today, I am discussing my methods for building vocabulary with synonyms so you can see that lightbulb moment too!
As a primary teacher, there is truly nothing more exciting to me than when my students learn something that will serve them throughout their lives. Seeing the look on their face as they begin to fully understand a new concept makes my teacher's heart absolutely sing.
Building vocabulary is so very important in first grade. This stage of learning is focused on the basic foundations of writing that will serve my students all throughout their academic careers. For this reason, I am highly committed to making sure my students are well equipped for what lies ahead!
In first grade grammar, this means making sure my kiddos grow their vocabulary with synonyms. I've always loved writing and I can remember when I learned about this topic myself and was absolutely floored. For me, the idea that I could add more pizzazz to my writing was so very appealing. Now, as a teacher, I try to instill this same excitement in my students!
I have done this a lot of different ways over the years; sometimes we might use a premade chart and run through it together while other times I will make one on chart paper and draw my own pictures.
The anchor chart that I have used also has a black and white version for students to color and add to their grammar notebooks. If you drew your anchor chart as a class, allow your students to recreate it on their own in their notebooks. This is a fun activity that will help reinforce this new concept.
Whichever route you choose, be sure to take the time to cover the definition of synonyms and provide lots of examples. This activity is key for setting the stage of excitement around synonyms and building up the allure of a broad vocabulary.
Practice Synonyms With Games & Centers
Once your kiddos have an understanding of this new term, it's time to start practicing! I like to use a variety of hands-on activities and games during center time and small groups to meet the needs of all of my students while teaching this new topic.
Synonym Matching Game For Small Groups
One of my tried and true favorites is a simple
matching game activity. This is a great activity to extend your introduction of synonyms and offer more support to students who need it during small groups. First, place a picture card in a pocket chart or on the table. Allow students to identify what is happening on the card and then try to find a corresponding word card that goes with it.
Students can take turns choosing the first word and then finding the matching synonym until all the cards are matched up with pictures. This game allows for lots of practice with new vocabulary words.
Synonyms Clip Cards
Synonym clip cards are another fun activity that's perfect for center time. These are great for an independent activity that students can work on to identify synonyms. I like to laminate these and store them in a plastic photo box along with some clothes pins.
Students will grab a set and take it to a table or their desk to complete it. They look at the picture on the card, read the word, and then use a clip to show the synonym. There are 24 cards included for synonyms as well as 24 for antonyms, once you're ready for those. I love the ease of use in this activity, it makes sneaking in some extra practice fun and easy. Not to mention, my students also get some fine motor practice in as well as they work to clip those cards!
Synonym Puzzles
For a great center game option, I love puzzles!
These puzzles are wonderful because they provide a bit more support than the matching game due to their self-correcting nature. If a student's answer isn't correct, they will easily be able to identify this since the pieces won't match up, making these great for independent workstations.
I like to add a second element to puzzle centers with a recording sheet as well. The one we use asks students to choose a few synonym word pairs to write down and draw an illustration to go with them.
Synonyms Partner Games
First graders love games, so I always try to squeeze them in whenever we can. One of their favorites is a fun spinner game activity they can play with a partner. Students will take turns spinning, reading, and covering synonyms on the game board. The student with the most synonyms covered wins!
We also use a recording sheet for this activity to get some extra writing practice in. Having students write down their answers in their grammar notebooks is a great option also. This will help your kiddos compile a list of synonyms to use later in their writing.
Another classroom favorite is always the classic "memory game". Students can split into pairs for this one as well and take turns drawing cards. I find this one is especially helpful once children have a solid understanding of synonyms, so save this activity for the tail end of your lessons. Otherwise, play in small groups to offer support to students.
Digital Synonyms Games
Have you tried digital activities in your classroom yet? If not, you're in for a treat! Google Slides activities
like this one are a great way to encourage grammar practice in a fun way in your classroom. In this resource, students will be able to look at a picture on each slide, read a word, and identify a synonym for it. The best part of these activities is that they are self-checking. If students answer incorrectly, they are alerted and allowed to try again. These slides are perfect for technology integration during center time! I like to set students up with a partner and have them take turns completing these slides.
Another great option to use these is as a presentation for your small group or as a whole group. Project these up on the SmartBoard and walk through the slides together as a lesson on synonyms. You could also make it your "exit ticket" for the end of the day or to begin another activity. Students can come up to the board, read the task, and submit their answers before moving on. The options are endless and no matter what you choose, incorporating some digital activities is sure to be a hit in your classroom!
Even More Synonyms Practice
While centers and games are always fun activities, I still love using
no-prep printables too! Using printables in conjunction with fun games enhances our lessons and offers me a way to provide my students with individual practice and quickly assess my students' understanding of the skill.
Now, just because we are using worksheets doesn't mean they can't be fun! Worksheets can be fun and engaging, especially if you make sure to use a variety of them in your lessons. Some of my favorites for learning about synonyms use matching, reading and highlighting, color by code, and building sentences.
Using a variety of worksheets that focus on different tasks will help keep your students' attention and interest in this topic. Typically, I will select a few more challenging worksheets to send home again for homework as well. I find that an extra bit of practice never hurts!
Close With A Whole Group Game
I am sure you have probably played a version of "I have, who has?" in your classroom a time or two! This game is so much fun for closing out our synonyms unit! Students will take turns reading cards and asking who has the matching synonym until all the cards are read. I like to run through this game slowly the first time and then play a second time once the kids get the hang of it.
I also love reviewing synonyms all year long with this game. It's a great way to review the synonyms we have learned and keep them fresh in students' minds. This is an excellent wrap-up activity, and will leave your students with smiling faces!
Teach Synonyms to Grow Vocabulary
Teaching synonyms is so much fun when you use a variety of games, hands-on activities, and printables! Giving students the gift of a broad vocabulary checks all the boxes for me as a teacher. It's especially rewarding when my students love the lessons as much as I do.
If you're looking to add some fun and engaging vocabulary activities to your lessons, check out all of my favorites below! I hope you have fun watching those lightbulbs go off, teacher friend!
Save These Ideas for Later
Don't forget to save these ideas on your favorite Pinterest board for when you're ready to teach synonyms in your classroom!
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