Crossword Puzzles

In teaching vocabulary & semantic skills such as synonyms and antonyms, I like to use some fun worksheets and activities in remembering what they have learned. Crossword puzzles are a wonderful way to work on these.

There are many websites that will create crossword puzzles for you. All you have to do is enter the words that you want included. My favorite that I have found is at:

http://www.armoredpenguin.com/crossword.

This can be used for any subject that you want to work on with your kids. If you want some that I have already created, look in the Worksheets section. There are crossword puzzles for semantics, syntax and articulation.

**Note: You don't need to change any of the settings, although you might want to change "remove spaces in words" to "no."

Defining "Opposite"

How would you define opposite? It needs to be simple and understood by young kids. Here's what I've got so far:

Opposite = the most different

Give visuals. For example, have a hula hoop on the ground. You go on one side and the kid go on the "opposite" side. Have them move around the circle and you stay exactly opposite of them. Show them that if you are not directly across from them, you are different but not the most different. Then have them stay opposite from you as you move around the hoop.

Any thoughts on a good definition or teaching ideas?