Download these synonyms cards to help your students recognize words with similar meanings by playing an engaging, hands-on matching game.
Synonyms Cards for Hands-On Learning
If you’re teaching synonyms to your elementary students, it can be tempting to break out yet another worksheet. But don’t forget to include hands-on learning opportunities too… and that’s where Teach Starter can help!
This matching card game has been designed by our team to help your students explore words that share the same or similar meanings. As students match and discuss words, they’re exposed to richer language choices, which often (and so satisfyingly!) show up later in their writing.
The resource includes:
- Instruction page
- 24 x synonym cards
- 2 x differentiated recording sheets
- Answer key
Read on to learn how you can use this versatile resource in a variety of ways in your classroom.
Explore Multiple Applications of These Synonyms Cards
This matching game can be used in a variety of ways during your vocabulary lessons to support and extend your students’ understanding of synonyms. Here are a few ideas from our team to get you started.
- Speed Sort Challenge – Give small groups a stack of cards and challenge them to match all synonyms as quickly (and accurately) as possible. Great for adding an additional level of complexity.
- Justify the Match – Ask students to explain how the words are connected before keeping a match. This is especially helpful when students tend to guess rather than think.
- Writing Activity – Have students choose a matched pair and use both words correctly in sentences, or replace “boring words” in a draft with stronger synonyms from the cards.
Download and Print This Synonyms Game
Getting your hands on this synonyms activity is simple! Use the Download button above to access the easy-print PDF or editable Google Slides file. (Note: You will be prompted to make a copy of the Google Slides template on your personal drive before accessing it.)
We recommend that you print the matching cards on cardstock for added durability, then place them in a zip-lock bag or large envelope for safekeeping. This time-saving resource for teaching synonyms is then ready whenever you are!
Lindsey Phillips, a teacher in Michigan and a Teach Starter collaborator, contributed to this resource.
More Resources for Exploring Synonyms
Looking for more engaging, age-appropriate resources for teaching synonyms? Click below to explore more teacher-created, curriculum-aligned worksheets, posters and activities to use with your students.
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Synonym and Antonym Posters
Print a pair of handy synonym and antonym anchor charts for your students to reference during writing lessons.
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Synonyms Word Search Pack
Strengthen vocabulary skills with this synonym word search set that helps students compare shades of meaning and use precise language with greater confidence.
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