Reading/Language Arts
Grade 2
Synonyms and Antonyms
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Dear Parent or Guardian:
Your child is currently learning to identify common synonyms and
antonyms for a specified word. Here is your chance to help your
child practice this important skill.
In this PAL Packet you will find a short activity for you and your
child to do. Please do the activity and The Back Page this evening.
Then sign your name on The Back Page and have your child return it
tomorrow.
Remember, parents are a child’s first teacher. Thank you for your
time and energy in making learning fun and exciting for your child.
Sincerely,
__________________________
Your child’s teacher
Grade 2 – Synonyms and Antonyms
© 2004 Evans Newton Incorporated
1
Last printed 9/2/04
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SYNONYMS AND ANTONYMS
Parent Pointer —
A synonym is a word that has the same meaning or a similar meaning as
that of another word. Synonyms are words such as beautiful/gorgeous
and always/forever. An antonym is a word that means the exact
opposite of a specific word. Antonyms are words such as
beautiful/ugly and always/never. If you can figure out the meaning
using synonyms and antonyms, no dictionary is needed. This strategy is
helpful when reading, since it is sometimes awkward to stop reading
just to look up a word in the dictionary.
Reading in the Home, on the Go, and for the Fun of It —
DIRECTIONS: Look at the What’s the Difference? page. Ask your
parent or guardian to read what a synonym and an antonym are. Then
explain what each is to him or her. Next, read the story about the
Onym brothers—Syn and Ant. While reading, make sure you look
closely at the underlined words. Turn to the Find the Synonyms and
Antonyms activity page. You should notice that the words underlined in
the story are listed here. They are listed on the left side of the page.
Use the story to help you find antonyms for these words. Then on your
own, find synonyms for these words. You may find some in the story.
Finally, share your antonyms and synonyms with your parent or
guardian. Have him or her check the words to make sure he or she
agrees.
Talk about It —
After you have finished the activity, turn to The Back Page to show
what you know.
Now go have some fun with the activity! (
Grade 2 – Synonyms and Antonyms
© 2004 Evans Newton Incorporated
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Last printed 9/2/04
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What’s the Difference?
Synonym – a word with a meaning that is similar to that of
another word
Antonym – a word that means the opposite of another word
Now let’s learn more about synonyms and antonyms. Read
this story about the Onym brothers to learn more.
Syn Onym
Ant Onym
There once were two brothers. One brother was named
Syn, and the other was named Ant. Even though they were
brothers, Syn and Ant were very different. Syn was the older
of the two. Ant was the younger one. Syn was large, and Ant
was small. Since Ant was shorter, he could run quickly. Since
Syn was taller, he ran slowly. Syn always lost his temper and
got angry. Ant was always happy. Since Syn was always mad,
he was always mean to people. Since Ant was always glad to
see people, he was always kind to them.
The one thing they did have in common, though, was they
both loved mazes. They both were very good at solving them.
The only problem was that Syn solved them from the
beginning, and Ant solved them from the ending. As you can
see, they were as different as night and day.
Grade 2 – Synonyms and Antonyms
© 2004 Evans Newton Incorporated
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Last printed 9/2/04
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Find the Synonyms and Antonyms
older
large
quickly
taller
angry
kind
beginning
Antonym
Synonym
Antonym
Synonym
Antonym
Synonym
Antonym
Synonym
Antonym
Synonym
Antonym
Synonym
Antonym
Synonym
Grade 2 – Synonyms and Antonyms
© 2004 Evans Newton Incorporated
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Last printed 9/2/04
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The Back Page
Talk about It
Parent —
Ask your child the following questions:
9What is a synonym? Give an example.
9What is an antonym? Give an example.
Student —
Answer the above questions in complete sentences on the
reverse side of this page.
OR
Do one of the following activities on the reverse side of
this page:
9Look through magazines to find words. The words you
find should be synonyms and antonyms. Cut out the
words. Pair up the synonyms and the antonyms. Glue
the words in each word pair next to each other.
Write next to them whether they are synonyms or
antonyms.
9Make a list of five pairs of words. Each pair should be
made up of either synonyms or antonyms.
__________________________ __________________________
Student’s Name
Parent or Guardian’s Signature
Grade 2 – Synonyms and Antonyms
© 2004 Evans Newton Incorporated
5
Last printed 9/2/04