Renee George
Grade 2 Antonyms Lesson
Rationale:
The purpose of teaching this lesson is for students to recognize antonyms as well as examples of
both. The students can develop and improve vocabulary in their writing and oral speech by
understanding that different words have opposite meanings.
Standard:
3.1.2 F. Vocabulary and Concept Development
Objective:
 Students will understand the definition of antonyms
 Students will be able to demonstrate and improve basic vocabulary skills
 Students practice and improve language skills.
Procedure:
Anticipatory Set:
1. I will call the students down to the carpet and show the students two culturally familiar
objects and ask them what they are. One giant eraser and one small eraser. I will listen to the
student's response in identifying the objects. I’ll then ask students "What is different between
these two objects." I’ll expect a response of "one is big and one is little." I will then ask “What is
the difference between big and little? Are they the same or are they…” the children will fill in by
saying opposites.
Guided Practice:
(teacher talk)
“Antonyms are words that mean the opposite of one another. Antonyms are used to help describe
objects and subjects. You probably already know a few antonyms.
Can you name two antonyms you know?
Some words have more than one antonym.
Big, large, hefty, and huge are antonyms of small, tiny, and little.
Other words have only one obvious antonym.
For example: I will write this on the board)
Antonyms are two words that mean the opposite of one another.
ANTONYM=OPPOSITE
He looks up.
He looks down.
(teacher talk) There may be other antonyms for up. Down was the best answer. You know the
opposite of up is down without having to think too hard.
• Can anyone think of any antonyms? (I will write this on the board)
• How about an antonym for Sit?- stand
• Wet? dry,
• All? none
• Right? wrong
• Hot, Cold
• Sink, float
Independent Practice:
Worksheet
After I feel that they have an understanding of antonyms, I will distribute a worksheet on
antonyms. The worksheets asks to find the words that have opposite meanings and draw a line to
connect the antonyms.
The source of this worksheet is havefunteaching.com
Classroom Management:
If some students have completed the worksheet before other’s, I will have them create their own
pair of antonyms on the back.
Activity
I will have the students complete an activity called The Great Antonym Search.
Students will be given one card with a word written on it. I will have them look at their card and
read it to themselves. I will then allow them three minutes to move around the room to find the
person who has the word that would mean the opposite of their word. After they find their
partner, tell them to remain standing beside that person until time is up. When the time is up, I
will ask each child to share his/her word and also allow the child's partner to share their word.
The words that the students say should be opposites to be correct. The class will listen as each set
of partners share their pair of antonyms.
Closure
I will bring closure to this lesson by reviewing the definition of an antonym through the two
objects big and little, the giant and regular sized eraser.
Materials:
 Pencil
 Antonym Worksheet
 Cards for Antonym search game.
Mentor – teach and model:
I will model desired behavior by acknowledging students who are participating, responding,
using prior knowledge and making connections. I will also identify students who are exhibiting
desired behavior as a clue for other students to follow. I will reinforce by rephrasing what the
child has said.
Assessment:
I will evaluate through observation of student participation, sharing, guided work and and the
independent antonym search game. I will assess throughout the lesson through student sharing
and input. I will check for the amount of participation, monitor and adjust if needed. I will also
use question and answer strategies to continuously evaluate understanding of the concept.
Core Content Standards:
L.2.5. Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships and nuances in
word meanings.