Synonym Card Sort for Lower Primary

Synonyms Card Sort

This card sort activity is intended for practice identifying pairs of synonyms. The five sets of cards contain 14 cards each. The student may work on the card sort independently or with a partner.

*Note that there is often more than one synonym for a given word. Students should choose the best match from the cards provided.

Included in this material

· 5 sets of synonym cards (7 pairs of synonyms per set)

· Answer key

· Recording sheet

Words Used in the Sorts

Set 1: big/large, sick/ill, jump/leap, small/little, glad/happy, mad/angry, start/begin

Set 2: own/have, bag/sack, sad/unhappy, yell/shout, car/auto, over/above, make/build

Set 3: hat/cap, house/home, fast/quick, cold/cool, run/jog, shut/close, rabbit/bunny

Set 4: talk/speak, baby/infant, pail/bucket, pal/friend, good/fine, dirty/messy, see/look

Set 5: cry/sob, sip/drink, walk/stroll, fix/repair, rock/stone, road/street, smell/sniff

Using the Card Sorts

Before use, print, laminate, and cut the cards to be used. It is highly recommended to print on card

1. Set out the heading card for the set being used (ex: Synonyms Set 1).

2. Choose a card and place it on the work surface. Take a second card and decide if it is a synonym for the card already out. If so, place it next to the synonym. If not, place the card below to create a column.

3. Continue until all cards are sorted, creating pairs of synonyms. If a child is unsure of the meaning of a word, encourage the use of resources – a friend, dictionary, or thesaurus.

4. Check work with the answer key.

5. Record work in a language notebook or on the included recording sheet.

Extension Activity

If desired, have students do an extension after completing the card sort. To check their understanding, have them write an additional synonym for several of the pairs of synonyms matched, if possible. Have thesauruses available for use as resources!

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