Antonyms

This activity challenges students to find antonyms in song lyrics. The level that it’s appropriate for depends on the words available and the words students choose from the lyrics.

Preparation

The facilitator selects a song in which the lyrics lend themselves to antonyms. These could be simple words, such as black/white and short/tall, or could be more advanced, such as share/hoard and play/ fight, etc.

Procedure

1. Write the antonyms that have been preselected on the board. 2. Elicit the opposites of each of the words in the list on the board. 3. Play the song and have students raise their hands when they identify words that are the opposite of those from the board.

Variations

1. Provide word cards for students to hold up as they hear the opposites in the song. 2. Provide students with a full list of the lyrics and have them follow along while identifying the words that are the opposites. 3. Have students rewrite the lyrics to match the new opposite lyrics.

When to Use It

• To develop vocabulary • To practice discrete listening • To provide a creative writing exercise

Level

Skills

Practice

Materials

Lyrics or cards

Preparation Time

10–20 minutes

Activity Time

10–45 minutes — if students are going to rewrite the lyrics

Possible Resources

Sing Out Loud: Traditional Songs https://americanenglish.state.gov/resources/singout-loud-traditional-songs Sing Out Loud: Children’s Songs https://americanenglish.state.gov/resources/singout-loud-childrens-songs