Is or Isn't
Is or Isn't
2-5 players • 15 min • 6 & up
Focus: Synonyms & Antonyms
Play along with the adorable creatures that live in this game’s thesaurus. They will help you learn synonyms and antonyms. Players take turns moving their character pawn around the gameboard, landing on word cards or challenge spaces. When you identify the synonyms or antonyms on your bingo board, cover the squares with a token. Be the first player to complete a line of four tokens horizontally, vertically or diagonally and win the game.
Skills: Synonyms and Antonyms, Vocabulary
Game Includes
Game Includes
- 1 Gameboard
- 46 Cards (40 Word Cards and 6 Flip Cards)
- 5 Bingo Boards (double-sided)
- 80 Cover Tokens (16 each of 5 colors)
- 1 Token Bag
- 1 Antonym/Synonym Tracker
- 2 Variant Tiles
- 5 Character Pawns
- 1 Die
- 1 Rules Booklet
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How to Play
Educational Standards
Core Standard*: Language
Reading
- Reading: Foundation Skills
- Phonics and Word recognition. Grade Levels 1st,2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th
- Language
- Vocabulary Acquisition and Use. Grade Levels 3rd, 4th, 5th
Skills
Explore
What Does Child Do To Use Skill In The Game?
Players need to look at their bingo boards in an effort to find a synonym or antonym each time a word card is turned over.
How Parents Can Assist Learning
Children probably will not need assistance. If children are having difficulty understanding a word, parents can help them by asking questions. For example, "What does 'under' mean? If I say the book is under the chair, where is it?" Also, remind the child to look at the images created by the words on the cards and bingo cards. These images give clues as to the meaning of the word.
Learning Implications and Educator Support
Is or Isn't is a great game for teaching vocabulary concepts of synonyms and antonyms, as well as vocabulary itself since children may learn new words while playing the game.
If children are having difficulty understanding a word, educators can help them by asking questions. For example, "What does 'under' mean? If I say the book is under the chair, where is it?"
Determine
What Does Child Do To Use Skill In The Game?
Players need to decide if a word on their bingo board is a synonym or antonym to the word showing on the active card. Players make other decisions during the game, such as how to respond to a Challenge and whether they have a winning bingo card depending on the game variation they are playing.
How Parents Can Assist Learning
Children probably will not need assistance. However, if children are having difficulty understanding a word, parents can help them by asking questions. For example, "What does 'under' mean? If I say the book is under the chair, where is it?" Also, remind the child to look at the images created by the words on the cards and bingo cards. These images give clues as to the meaning of the word.
Learning Implications and Educator Support
Is or Isn't is a great game for teaching vocabulary concepts of synonyms and antonyms, as well as vocabulary itself since children may learn new words while playing the game.
If children are having difficulty understanding a word, educators can help them by asking questions. For example, "What does 'under' mean? If I say the book is under the chair, where is it?"
Compare
What Does Child Do To Use Skill In The Game?
Comparing is the primary skill used and built during Is or Isn't as players compare words on their bingo card to the word on the active card on every turn.
How Parents Can Assist Learning
Children probably will not need assistance. However, if children are having difficulty understanding a word, parents can help them by asking questions. For example, "What does 'under' mean? If I say the book is under the chair, where is it?" Also, remind the child to look at the images created by the words on the cards and bingo cards. These images give clues as to the meaning of the word.
Learning Implications and Educator Support
Is or Isn't is a great game for teaching vocabulary concepts of synonyms and antonyms, as well as vocabulary itself since children may learn new words while playing the game.
If children are having difficulty understanding a word, educators can help them by asking questions. For example, "What does 'under' mean? If I say the book is under the chair, where is it?"
Remember
What Does Child Do To Use Skill In The Game?
Players need to remember the meaning and spelling of words in order to play the game. Players also need to remember phonetics in order to sound out words they may not be able to read on sight.
How Parents Can Assist Learning
If children do not know all the words in the Is or Isn't, parents can teach those words to the child prior to or while playing the game.
For spelling on a Challenge card, it may help to give children pencil and paper. They can write down the word prior to saying it aloud.
Learning Implications and Educator Support
As children identify synonyms and antonyms, they are relying on their memory of words' definitions. If children do not know all the words or do not know multiple synonyms or antonyms for words in the game, educators can modify the game or use other techniques to teach unknown words and/or increase vocabulary options prior to playing the game.
Additionally, one of the Challenges in the game require players to spell words. For spelling, it may help to give children pencil and paper. They can write down the word prior to saying it aloud.
Practice
What Does Child Do To Use Skill In The Game?
At certain times of the game, players think of the a new synonym or antonym and spell it. The more they play, the more they are practicing spelling and expanding their vocabulary through synonyms and antonyms.
How Parents Can Assist Learning
When not playing the game, parents can help children practice synonyms and antonyms. Select a word from the game or any word that comes to mind, and asking them to think of words that mean the same or opposite.
For spelling, it may help to give children pencil and paper. They can write down the word prior to saying it aloud.
Learning Implications and Educator Support
If children do not know all the words or do not know multiple synonyms or antonyms for words in the game, educators can modify the game or use other techniques to teach unknown words and/or increase vocabulary options prior to playing the game.
Additionally, one of the Challenges in the game require players to spell words. For spelling, it may help to give children pencil and paper. They can write down the word prior to saying it aloud.
Demonstrate
What Does Child Do To Use Skill In The Game?
Players demonstrate their accuracy by saying the word on their bingo board aloud that they think is the same or opposite of the word on the active card. They also demonstrate how to use a word in a sentence during one of the Challenges.
How Parents Can Assist Learning
Parents may need to help children decide if a word is a synonym or antonym by using the chart included in the directions. Also, the Challenges may require adult support in case the children cannot agree if a Challenge was successfully met.
Learning Implications and Educator Support
Educators may need to help children decide if a word is a synonym or antonym by using the chart included in the directions. Also, the Challenges may require adult support in case the children cannot agree if a Challenge was successfully met.
*Data compiled from CCSSI ELA Standards, WA Science Standards, and Washington Social Studies Standards
Special Needs
Cognitive
Suggestions for How to Modify Play Experience
Is or Isn't requires reading skills, understanding how to perform a series of actions in play, and having a good vocabulary. This makes Is or Isn't too difficult for most children with cognitive challenges. Older children who have a good vocabulary may be able to play the Synonym version, requiring only 1 line of tokens on the card to win, and omitting the Challenge cards.
Players with cognitive challenges may be able to play the game if the adults read the words to them on the cards and help them think about the words. For example, "What does 'under' mean? If I say the book is under the chair, where is it?" Once the child understands the word, other players can help them find the synonym on their board.
Play in partners. This is a good way to expand the child vocabulary comprehension and expand vocabulary use. The child with special needs can throw the dice, count the spaces, turn over the cards, and help find where to place the token. Encourage partners to talk about the words and explain meanings. Many of the words can be acted out to help illustrate their meaning.
Communication
Suggestions for How to Modify Play Experience
If children have good reading skills, this may be a good game for expanding vocabulary. When players turn over a card encourage them to act out the meaning. If they don't know the meaning of a word, have the player to their left act it out to help them understand the meaning. They can then try to find the synonym on the board.
Because children with communication concerns often have more limited vocabulary, playing with a partner may help the child learn new words.
Sensorimotor
Suggestions for How to Modify Play Experience
The cards and tokens in the game are small, so some children may have difficulty with accurate placement. Peers can help manipulate if needed.
Social Emotional/Behavioral
Suggestions for How to Modify Play Experience
Children who have difficulty with reading or have language concerns may find Is or Isn't frustrating and not want to play. Playing with a partner may alleviate this anxiety.
Children with high language skills and low self esteem will find Is or Isn't a way to show off their skills and feel good about what they know.
Vision
Suggestions for How to Modify Play Experience
Some of the different fonts and colors of the print combined with the illustrations may make reading the words on the cards and the boards difficult. Outline the words with a narrow black marker to make the words stand out. This will help those with low vision.
Hearing
Suggestions for How to Modify Play Experience
Children who are deaf or hard of hearing may have a difficult time playing Is or Isn't. They may be able to read and understand the words, but unless they are playing with other deaf players, their signed response may not be understood. One alternative is to have the player review their board and point to the correct response, showing the rest of the players, before placing a token on it.
There is no "be" verb in sign language (am, is, are, etc.), so the title of the game may be confusing at first. Some explanation of Synonyms and Antonyms may be required.
*Data compiled from CCSSI ELA Standards, WA Science Standards, and Washington Social Studies Standards
Autism
Autism Strengths & Interests
Short Summary of Strengths & Interests
- Vocabulary comprehension
- Verbal Reasoning
- Patterning
Is good at matching visual items
Is This Game Appropriate? No
Description
No visual matching is involved
Has a good memory for sensory details, including visual, touch, taste and smell
Is This Game Appropriate? No
Description
No memory for sensory detail is involved
Has a good memory for words, phrases and dialouge
Is This Game Appropriate? Yes
Description
This is an important aspect of Is or Isn't. Players have to read a word, understand it's meaning and determine another word that has the same or the opposite meaning of the word on the card. The problem for many children with autism, however, is that they may read or remember the word, but not know the meaning of the word. If this is the case Is or Isn't may not be a good choice of game.
Has a good memory for pictures, numbers and patterns
Is This Game Appropriate? No
Description
Memory for pictures, numbers and patterns are not needed
Likes to put things in order or a sequence
Is This Game Appropriate? Yes
Description
Players have to build their Bingo Card to create the selected pattern of that round. Patterning is something children with autism often excel at. The vocabulary aspect of the game, however, may make it too challenging.
Learns through visualizing or "replaying" actions in their mind
Is This Game Appropriate? No
Description
Visualization is not needed.
Likes activities with rules, such as math and phonics
Is This Game Appropriate? No
Description
Reading is needed, but comprehension is essential.
Is very concrete and literal
Is This Game Appropriate? No
Description
Abstract thinking is involved.
Learns in small "chunks" (for example, phone numbers are 3 chunks of number xxx-xxx-xxxx that are combined together)
This game is not appropriate
Is good at nonverbal reasoning and logic
Is This Game Appropriate? Yes
Description
When players encounter a Challenge square, they have an opportunity to choose an open square on their Bingo board and complete a task to earn a token for that square. Players use nonverbal reasoning to determine which square would be most advantageous for completing the pattern on their Bingo Board.
Likes spatial problem solving
Is This Game Appropriate? Yes
Description
Spatial problem solving is involved in completing the Bingo Board with the right pattern. It is also involved when players encounter a Challenge square. They have an opportunity to choose an open square on their Bingo board and complete a task to earn a token for that square. Players use spatial reasoning to determine which square would be most advantageous for completing the pattern on their Bingo Board.
Can read well with good vocabulary, though may not fully comprehend content
Is This Game Appropriate? Yes
Description
Players need to be able to read the words and also understand the meaning of the words they read so they can determine synonyms and antonyms. Some children with autism may be able to read high level vocabulary, but not totally comprehend the meaning of the words. Playing Is and Isn't with a partner may help the child strengthen vocabulary comprehension.
Likes to use and has good fine motor skill
Is This Game Appropriate? Yes
Description
Some manipulation of pawns, cards, and tokens is needed to play Is and Isn't.
Likes established routines or set ways of doing things
Is This Game Appropriate? Yes
Description
The game is played in the same way each time, but vocabulary and vocabulary sequences encountered may vary.
Likes manipulating, constructing or building things
Is This Game Appropriate? No
Description
No construction is involved.
Likes to use and has good musical abilities
Is This Game Appropriate? Yes
Description
No music is involved.
Likes to use and has good drawing skills
Is This Game Appropriate? No
Description
No drawing is involved.
Autism Special Considerations
Appears to ignore other's communication and/or has difficulty giving eye contact to a communication partner
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? Yes
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Players do not need to use eye contact to play the game. They should, however, watch and listen to other players to determine if other players are correct in their word choice and token placement. The player can still play, however, even if they are only interested in their own Bingo Board.
Has difficulty understanding complex verbal directions
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? No
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Is or Isn't has several steps involved in each turn, including throwing the die, moving the pawn, turning a card next to the pawn, reading the word, determining a synonym or antonym (depending on the game), and placing a token on the right word on the Bingo Board. Some children may need a verbal or gestural prompt for one or more of these steps. Play a couple of practice hands to demonstrate the sequence of play.
Uses vocabulary inaccurately or demonstrates echolalia (repeating another's speech)
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? No
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Echolalia may not hinder play, but the child needs to be able to stop repeating long enough to read and follow through on the sequence of his turn. Children who engage in a great deal of echolalia may not be able to focus on the meaning of the words on the cards and the Bingo Board. Some children with autism have great memories for scripts or phrases. Ask them if they can remember a phrase where they heard their word stated. From there, you can talk about meaning.
Gets stuck repeating a verbal topic or physical actions and/or has difficulty attending to others' actions or topic.
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? No
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Focus is important to be able to play Is or Isn't. Other players may need to help the child by narrating what they are doing and prompting the child to watch and listen to what is happening in each turn. If the child can focus on their own turn, even if they don't watch others, they should be able to play the game.
Has difficulty producing speech/communication
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? Yes
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Although reading words (or having others help read them) is necessary, the child does not need to talk. He can show the card to other players, find the right word on his Bingo Board, and point it out for another player to read. Challenge tasks, which require verbalization, can be omitted if needed. Adding charades to the game by acting out the words on the cards may provide another means for communication for all players.
Has difficulty sequencing multi-step actions and/or doing complex abstract tasks
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? No
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? No
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
There are multiple steps in each turn, and synonyms and antonyms are abstract concepts.
Demonstrates difficulty initiating and maintaining social interactions
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? No
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Conversation is not needed to play, but the child needs to be able to take turns. Other players may need to prompt the child with verbal or physical cues to keep the child into the rhythm of the game. Adding charades to the game by acting out the words on the cards may provide another means for interaction and more laughter to the game.
Acts out or demonstrates avoidance behaviors when frustrated, overwhelmed, or needs more sensory input.
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? No
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Fidget toys, breaks for movement or calming may help the child maintain focus if this is a common concern. However, if frustration is due to the complexity or abstract nature of the game, Is or Isn't may not be a good match.
Has short attention span for non-preferred activities
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? No
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? No
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Unless reading is a preferred activity, children with autism may find Is or Isn't too challenging, and thus not interesting. Adding charades to the game by acting out the words on the cards adds an element of movement to the game, which may increase motivation.
Needs sameness or consistent routines and/or has difficulty with transitions from one activity to another
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? No
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? No
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Unless reading words is a preferred activity, children with autism will not want to transition from a preferred activity to play Is or Isn't. Sometimes a preferred activity (such as a puzzle) can be incorporated in between turns, to help the child maintain interactions in the game.
Has difficulty understanding others' feelings, intentions, and the reasons for others' actions.
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? Yes
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Players do not need to understand others' feelings or reasons for actions to play Is or Isn't.
*Data compiled from CCSSI ELA Standards, WA Science Standards, and Washington Social Studies Standards
Extended Play
Extra Ways to Play the Game
When a card is turned up, the player acts out the word and other players guess what the word is. When it is identified, the player then puts a token on the word on her or his board.
Materials Needed
No additional materials are needed.
Developmental Benefits
Acting out vocabulary provided additional physical and visual input to the meaning of the word. It requires the "actor" to embody the meaning of the word. Players guess the meaning of the word, thus potentially learning new synonyms or antonyms.
Extra Ways to Play the Game
Allow challenge cards to be used to challenge other players. The challenging player can pick another player and ask them to provide a synonym from their Bingo Board. If the player is correct, both players get to add a token to their Boards. If the player is wrong, the challenging player can provide the correct answer and add to their Board.
Materials Needed
No additional materials are needed.
Developmental Benefits
Challenging another player increases the social interaction and also the strategy in the game.
*Data compiled from CCSSI ELA Standards, WA Science Standards, and Washington Social Studies Standards
Collapsible content
How to Play Video & Transcript
A game where players expand their vocabulary by identifying synonyms and antonyms on their bingo board.
You can play Is or Isn’t with 2-5 players, ages 6 and up.
Is or Isn’t is good for understanding Synonyms and Antonyms as players learn words that have the same meaning and words that have the opposite meaning by matching words on the cards to the words on their boards.
Is or Isn’t also helps with Vocabulary. Players strengthen and expand their vocabulary by learning alternative words they can use when expressing themselves verbally or in writing.
Players take turns rolling the die and moving their character pawns around the gameboard, landing on word cards or challenge spaces. Players identify the synonyms or antonyms on their bingo boards and cover the squares with their tokens. Become the first player to complete a line of four tokens horizontally, vertically or diagonally and win the game!
• Place the gameboard in the middle of the play area.
• Place the antonym/synonym tracker (synonym side up) in the designated area of the gameboard.
• For the basic game, remove the six Flip cards and place them back in the box.
• Shuffle the word card deck, and place one card facedown in each space on the gameboard. Place the remaining cards in a facedown draw pile in the marked area on the board.
• Set the die near the play area.
• Each player selects a bingo board and places it either side up in front of themselves.
• Each player chooses a character pawn and the matching color set of cover tokens.
• All players set their pawns on the start space indicated by the arrow on the board.
• Choose which variant tile you will play and place it on the board where everyone can see it.
Synonyms
On your turn, roll the die and move your pawn that number of spaces clockwise (to the left) around the gameboard.
When your pawn stops, turn over the card you’ve landed next to and read the word out loud, then place it faceup in the discard pile.
Each player now checks to see if they have a word on their bingo board that is the synonym (has the same meaning) to the word card.
If a player has a match, going clockwise, they announce their synonym (word) and then cover the corresponding square on their board with one of their tokens.
After all players have checked their boards, draw the next card from the draw pile and place it facedown in the open space on the gameboard.
Your turn is now complete. Pass the die clockwise, to the next player on your left, and game play continues.
Challenge Spaces
If your pawn lands on a challenge space, roll the die again to determine which of the challenges described on the gameboard you will be given. Complete the challenge correctly and you may place a token on your bingo board. If you are not correct, this ends your turn and play continues clockwise.
If you…
Roll a 1 or 2 —Spell a synonym.
Choose any open square on your bingo board. Read the
word out loud, then think of a synonym and say and spell
the word. If you are correct, place a token on that square.
Roll a 3 or 4 —Say two synonyms.
Choose any open square on your bingo board. Read the
word out loud, then say two synonyms you know for that
word. If you are correct, place a token on that square.
Roll a 5 or 6 —Use a synonym in a sentence.
Choose any open square on your bingo board. Read the
word out loud, then think of a synonym and use it in a
sentence. Say the sentence out loud. If you are correct,
place a token on that square.
The game ends when one player covers a line of four squares—horizontally, vertically or diagonally—and calls out, “Is or Isn’t!” This player is the winner.
If two or more players finish at the same time, these players become joint winners.
Antonyms
To play with antonyms, flip the antonym/synonym tracker to show the antonym side.
The game plays the same. However, in this more challenging version, each player checks to see if they have a word on their bingo board that is the antonym (has the opposite meaning) to the selected word. Challenge corner spaces now also use antonyms.
Like bingo, this game can be played in several ways.
Use the variant tiles to identify which game you want to play. Or think of some creative patterns of your own and enjoy playing each variation of the game.
Any 1 Line—Any four squares in a line vertically, horizontally or diagonally.
Any 2 Lines—Any two lines vertically, horizontally or diagonally.
Z Shape—Create a Z pattern.
Cover All—All squares on the board.
Play along with the creatures that live in the thesaurus and see how many different words you know with Is or Isn’t!
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