Ten scrambled 5th grade words, from DPIRA to LAVBEULA, each come with a synonym or antonym hint and a letter count. Once they are solved, students use three of the answers to finish sentences about a river current, a hazard on the stairs, and an antique gold coin. A mystery phrase takes first letters from five answers to spell what synonyms and antonyms both are. The 3-page puzzle practices L.5.5.c, and the answer key lists every word plus the mystery answer.
L.5.5.c
“Use the relationship between particular words (e.g., synonyms, antonyms, homographs) to better understand each of the words.”
Each hint gives a synonym or antonym, so students solve the scramble through word relationships such as danger and hazard or hope and despair.
A table of ten words that get longer as students go. Hints include "Antonym: slow (5 letters)" and "Synonym: exhaustion (7 letters)."
Questions 11 to 13 each need one unscrambled word, such as the "_____ current" that made the river too dangerous for swimming.
Students take the first letters of answers 1, 3, 5, 6, and 7 and unscramble them into one word.
Self-check
The mystery word checks the table. If the first letters of answers 1, 3, 5, 6, and 7 do not unscramble to a real word, one of those answers is wrong.
First-letter hint
If a word stalls a student, give the first letter. REDAPSI, with the hint "Antonym: hope," is often the one that needs it.
Sentence follow-up
After the scramble, have students write their own sentences for two words not used in Questions 11 to 13, such as fatigue or observe.
Get started today
