Antonym/Synonym Tree
Vocabulary Acquisition Activity – Grade 3
Activity Overview:
In this activity, students develop their understanding of grade level tier 2 vocabulary words through the use of
a graphic organizer. The graphic organizer helps students to organize antonym word pairs and related
synonyms. Students learn to organize words based on their meaning and relationship to target words/
categories.
Materials:
1. Antonym/Synonym Tree
2. Vocabulary Set: weather*
3. Pencils
Procedure:
1. Explain to students that an Antonym/Synonym Tree is a type of graphic organizer that organizes words
according to their meaning.
2. Display the Antonym/Synonym Tree.
3. Write the category (weather*) in the bottom box of the tree. Tell students the antonym pair for the
tree (i.e. good weather and bad weather) and that they will learn words to describe two types of
weather. Write the antonym pair in the two boxes above the category.
4. Guide students in a discussion about the antonym pairs. Ask students to think of words they might use
to describe the first antonym (good weather). Write student responses in the box (possible responses:
sunny, breezy, bright, warm, cool). Explain that these words are synonyms for the phrase "good
weather."
5. The discussion is the most important portion of this lesson. Introduce students to each new
vocabulary word that describes the first antonym (good weather). Tell students the three new
vocabulary words are synonyms to the words they generated. Explain that when these words are heard
or read, they tell about good weather. Define each word as it is introduced. For example: "balmy
weather is refreshing, pleasant weather." Tell students to write balmy in a box above the antonym
(good weather).
6. Continue with the next two vocabulary words (mild, temperate) describing the antonym.
7. Repeat the procedure for the second word/phrase in the antonym set (bad weather).
8. Tell students to choose one synonym from each set (good weather/bad weather) to use in a sentence.
9. Tell students to write the sentences on the lines and underline the chosen word.
*Use the same procedure to introduce each antonym pair and synonym set.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
weather: good weather/bad weather (balmy, mild, temperate/harsh, severe, bleak)
emotions: happy/sad (ecstatic, jovial, blissful/gloomy, miserable, glum)
movement: fast/slow (hasty, prompt, swift/sluggish, deliberate, gradual)
fashion: stylish/plain (elegant, classy, sophisticated/drab, shabby, scruffy)
well-being: healthy/unhealthy (dynamic, brawny, robust/weak, frail, feeble,)
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Name: ________________________________
Antonym/Synonym Tree
1.
2.
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Antonym/Synonym Tree #1
Teacher Edition: weather
temperate
bleak
(not too hot or too
cold)
(cold, miserable
weather)
balmy
mild
harsh
severe
(refreshing)
(not too cold)
(extreme heat or
cold)
(extremely unpleasant
weather)
good weather
bad weather
(record student responses)
(record student responses)
weather
1. The family looked forward to a vacation in a temperate climate
where they could enjoy some pleasant weather.
2. The snow storm was so severe all schools were closed for two days.
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Antonym/Synonym Tree #2
Teacher Edition: emotions
blissful
glum
(great joy, happiness)
(silently sad)
ecstatic
jovial
gloomy
miserable
(full of joy)
(cheerful)
(depressing and
dismal)
(unhappy, feeling down)
happy
sad
(record student responses)
(record student responses)
emotions
1. The children were ecstatic when their parents told them the family
was going to the fair.
2. After he learned he didn't get picked for the baseball team, he
felt miserable.
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Antonym/Synonym Tree #3
Teacher Edition: movement
swift
gradual
(with great speed)
(happening little by
little)
hasty
prompt
sluggish
deliberate
(moving in a quick
way)
(done without delay)
(lazy, no energy)
(steady in movement)
fast
slow
(record student responses)
(record student responses)
movement
1. The cheetah moved swiftly as it chased the antelope.
2. She pours the bleach into the container gradually so it won't splash
in her eyes.
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Antonym/Synonym Tree #4
Teacher Edition: fashion
sophisticated
scruffy
(refined in dress and
style)
(messy looking, not
neat looking)
elegant
classy
drab
shabby
(dignified, fine)
(special and
attractive)
(dull, not flashy)
(ragged, untidy and
worn out)
stylish
plain
(record student responses)
(record student responses)
fashion
1. She wore nice clothes and looked classy when she went to the
job interview.
2. When he finished the hours of yard work, he unsuccessfully tried to
comb his scruffy hair.
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Antonym/Synonym Tree #5
Teacher Edition: well-being
robust
feeble
(strongly build, hardy)
(physically weak)
dynamic
brawny
weak
frail
(active and energetic)
(muscular and strong)
(lacking body
strength)
(having delicate
health)
healthy
unhealthy
(record student responses)
(record student responses)
well-being
1. After years of exercising, her father looked quite brawny with his
big muscles.
2. The vet said the cat might be weak after the long surgery to repair
its broken leg.
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