Explain the concept of opposites to your students. Then proceed by showing them sets of flashcards featuring opposites and ask the students to identify and discuss what makes them opposites. For example, one set could feature a cat and a kitten to illustrate old versus young or big versus small. Working through this exercise with the students will allow them to acquaint themselves with this new knowledge as well as put the concept into practice.
Constructing a scavenger hunt for students will allow them to practice the concept of opposites even further. Put together a worksheet with various kinds of opposites on it: big and small, old and new, tall and short, to name a few. Then allow students a predetermined amount of time to wander the classroom and find examples of the opposites. This can be done individually or you can divide students into small teams or two or three.
Reinforce everything your students have learned by sending them home with worksheets on opposites. An excellent example of opposites homework is an opposites crossword puzzle. Design a crossword puzzle featuring clues that are one half of a pair of opposites. Students can then fill the crossword puzzle with the matching opposites. Another alternative would be a word search featuring opposite examples.
Now that your students are well versed in the concept of opposites, let them have some fun by participating in a classroom opposite day. Ask students to wear clothing that represents opposites such as wearing a color that they do not like or turning their shirt backwards. Mix up the day by teaching afternoon subjects in the morning and vice versa. Students will enjoy putting their plans to practice as well as the opportunity to get creative with opposites.