Making Spelling Fun for 6th Graders – Try These Top 10 Games!

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6th grade spelling games

Spelling and vocabulary can be tricky for 6th graders, but it doesn’t have to be boring! Games are an effective way to help kids learn the necessary skills while having fun. 

Various spelling games can be tailored to fit each student’s needs. From word searches and crossword puzzles to online activities and flashcards – there is something for everyone! 

In this article, we will discuss ten different types of spelling games ideal for 6th graders and tips on how to customize them so they stay engaged!

Our 10 Favorite Spelling Games for 6th Graders

Making spelling fun for 6th graders is an important skill to foster to help them become effective communicators.

It allows them to build a strong foundation of knowledge they can draw from when expressing themselves, which helps improve their writing abilities and reading comprehension.

Spelling and vocabulary are cornerstones of language development, and it is essential to help 6th graders master these skills to succeed. 

A fun spelling game provides a great way to teach them while adding an element of fun.

Word searches, crossword puzzles, online activities, and flashcards are all excellent options that can be tailored to fit individual needs.

Try out these top 10 spelling games for sixth graders and watch as your students become more confident in their language skills!

1. Word Searches

A word search puzzle is a classic game that can be easily customized for 6th graders. Give students a list of words to search for and provide them with an answer key.

2. Crossword Puzzles

Crossword puzzles are a great way to learn vocabulary and spelling. You can create your own puzzle or find premade ones online.

You can customize the difficulty by adding hints or clues or making the words harder. Crosswords also allow students to work collaboratively, so it’s a great group activity!

3. Online Activities

Students can find a fun printable worksheet and online spelling games to practice their skills.

You can also find interactive activities like hangman, Mad-Libs, and others that keep your students engaged while learning.

4. Flashcards

Flashcards are a great way to practice spelling and can also be customized to fit individual needs.

You can make your own flashcards or buy them online, and they come in various difficulty levels (1st grade to 6th grade +) to match the student’s abilities.

5. Spelling Bee

Spelling bees is a fun way for 6th graders to practice their spelling while competing against each other.

They can practice in pairs or small groups, then take turns playing the role of “beekeeper” and asking questions.

6. Word Scramble

Word scrambles are fun games for 6th graders to get some spelling practice. Students can unscramble words using the letter tiles given to them, or you can create your own scramble puzzles online.

7. Word Jumble

Word jumbles are similar to word scrambles but with an added challenge – the words are hidden in an arrangement of letters, and students must rearrange them to form the correct spelling.

This game can be played individually or in teams, making it a great group activity!

8. Hangman

Hangman is a great game for 6th graders to practice their spelling and learn new words. You can create your own hangman games or find ready-made ones online.

The rules of Hangman are simple:

  • Form a small group. The first player picks a word and draws lines to indicate how many letters are in the designated word.
  • If the other players guess incorrect letters, parts of the hanging man are drawn in.
  • Continue until all missing letters are accounted for.

9. Mad Libs

Madlibs are an entertaining way to practice spelling and expand vocabulary. Students fill in the blanks of stories with different types of words – nouns, verbs, adjectives, and more – to create funny stories.

10. Spelling Relay

A spelling relay is a lively way for younger students to practice their spelling skills while competing against each other.

Teams can race a time limit to spell words correctly with the first person (or first team) to finish the list being declared the winner!

It’s a great game for groups and can be played indoors or outdoors.

What Are Some 6th-Grade Spelling Words?

Sixth-grade spelling words typically focus on more complex spelling rules, including long and short vowel sounds, root words, syllabication, consonant blends, contractions, sight words, and commonly used homophones.

Here is a word list of some of the core sixth-grade spelling words that students should be aware of:

* Acknowledge

* Acoustic

* Acquire

* Analytical

* Arithmetic

* Beneficial

* Calculation

* Category

* Chlorine

* Cushion

* Decisive

* Definite

* Description

* Dexterous

* Discipline

* Endurable 

* Enchantment

* Exclude

* Fission

* Glamorous

* Harass

* Impartial

* Impressionable

* Intentional

* Irresistible 

* Juncture 

* Knowledgeable 

* Lengthy 

* Melodious 

* Mischievous

* Necessary 

* Occupation 

* Occurrence 

* Orthodoxy

* Partially

* Perception

* Plausible

* Preparatory

* Proficiency

* Prospective 

* Quarterback

* Recognizable 

* Rehearse

* Relevant

* Resistance

* Sequential

* Separate

* Sufficiently 

* Tangible 

* Thoroughly 

* Unanimous 

* Uniquely 

* Variable 

* Viciously

* Wearable 

* Widespread 

* Yacht.

What Are the Four Spelling Strategies?

When it comes to spelling, a few key strategies can help a person become a great speller. The four strategies are phonetic, rule-based, visual, and morphemic.

Let’s take a quick look at what each one entails!

Phonetic

The phonetic spelling strategy involves using the sounds of words to help identify the correct spelling. 

It is based on the idea that when we learn to speak a language, we learn about the sounds of individual words and how they are formed. 

When applying this strategy to spelling, children can use their knowledge of how words sound to spell them.

Phonetic spelling can also be useful when dealing with homophones – words with the same pronunciation but different spellings and meanings. 

To use this strategy, children should first break down the word into smaller pieces, then think about what each of those sounds like and how they are formed. 

Once all the sounds have been identified, children can use these as a guide to help them correctly spell the word. 

Rule-Based

The rule-based spelling strategy teaches students to spell words using specific rules and guidelines.

This strategy helps students learn to spell words through direct instruction and breaking words into smaller parts. 

When using this strategy, teachers should teach students common spelling patterns and rules when learning to spell a new word.

This helps students to quickly and easily recall the spelling of words they have learned. 

Additionally, teachers should encourage students to connect the meaning of a word with its spelling for them to remember it better. 

Visual

The visual spelling strategy is a powerful learning tool that helps young students become more confident and proficient spellers. 

It involves using a variety of visual aids and tools, such as pictures, flashcards, charts, and other resources, to help students understand the correct spelling of words. 

This strategy aims to provide a different learning experience for students that is engaging and enjoyable.

Morphemic

The Morphemic spelling strategy involves breaking down words into their smallest units of meaning, called morphemes, and then analyzing them to determine the correct spelling. 

The brain processes language at the morpheme level, so this approach effectively teaches students how to spell words accurately. 

This strategy can be used with any type of word and is especially helpful when dealing with difficult or unfamiliar words.

By breaking words down into their morphemes, students can better understand each part of the word and gain insight into the likely spelling of that particular word. 

Author

  • Cam Russo

    Cam is a blogger, author, and content strategist with a keen love for the written word. His journey with high-functioning autism has kindled a strong advocacy for autism awareness. Today, Cam dedicates his efforts to educating parents. He sees laughter as a game-changer in learning, and strives every day to make education a fun and enjoyable journey for all his readers.