Sweeten Your Students Vocabulary With Synonyms Practice

We’re happy, elated, ecstatic that you’re covering synonyms with your students! 

Through this activity, students will show they can relate words to their similar but not identical meanings.

Players take turns choosing a sundae piece and reading the word. They’ll then find the similar word on the game board sundae and cover the piece. Take turns choosing sundae pieces until all of the word sundaes are complete!

The words students will be matching synonyms to are:

• big
• said
• get
• small

 Scaffolding + Extension Tips 

Support students who need help understanding the concepts by referring to a synonym poster or anchor chart for help. 

Challenge fast finishers who already understand the concept to write the words in alphabetical order on a separate piece of paper. Students can also practice using the synonyms in a sentence (orally or written, depending on proficiency).  

Get our 10 Best Scaffolding Strategies here! 

Use This Activity For Even More Synonym Practice 

We created this resource for your reading center as an independent practice activity. We also suggest using it to reinforce your small group and full-class lessons in the following ways: 

✍️ Write the Room (Scoot Activity)

Print an extra game board and cut out each sundae. Hang sheets of chart paper around the room and post a word sundae above each one. Individually, or with a partner, have students rotate around the room adding a synonym for the word on the card. Project the game pieces for reference, if needed. Words may be used only once.

👻 Odd Man Out

Print an extra game board and cut out each sundae. Place a sundae card and 3 sundae pieces at each station, making sure 2 of the cards are synonyms with the sundae card and the 3rd card is different. Student pairs will rotate through each station and identify the word that does not belong, writing their answers on a separate sheet of paper.  

🔔 Bell Ringer Activity

Project a sundae card for your students to see as soon as they enter the classroom. On a piece of paper, have students write as many synonyms as they can on a piece of paper. You can use this as a formative assessment to see which of your students needs more practice. 

Easily Prepare This Resource for Your Students

Print on cardstock for added durability and longevity. Place all pieces in a folder or large envelope for easy access. 

Before You Download

Use the dropdown icon on the Download button to choose between the PDF or Google Slides version of this resource. 

This resource was created by Lindsey Phillips, a teacher in Michigan and Teach Starter Collaborator. 

Build better lesson plans with these synonym activities and teaching resources: 

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Synonym Activity - Printable Puzzle Center

Print and assemble a set of synonym puzzles for your classroom reading centers.

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Synonyms Are the Same! - Vocabulary Worksheets

Practice identifying and using synonyms in sentences with a synonyms worksheet.