Fun grammar activities can help take learning grammar rules from dull & boring to engaging and memorable! By incorporating fun into the learning process, upper elementary and middle school students can grasp grammar concepts more effectively. Check out these 9 ways to teach grammar that you’ll love using all year!
1. Pick a part of speech for each day of the week
Assign or have students pick a part of speech for each day of the week. Do this on Friday afternoon for the following week. Create a short activity to go along with each part of speech. “Zip Ups” or “I Have…Who Has…” are great grammar games because they’re quick, can be played several times, and they’re fun.
Word matching memory games also work well. Another idea is to find a sentence from a text that includes an example of the part of speech, and have students analyze and identify as many parts of speech as they can. Review with the class. Use these a warm up, a whole class activity, or after recess.
2. Grammar Charades make grammar fun
Create cards with different parts of speech or grammar rules written on them. Divide the class into teams, and have students act out the word or rule without speaking while their teammates guess what it is. For example, a student can act out a verb by mimicking an action or students can act out adverbs by trying to show how something is done. Read this blog post to learn 3 more engaging ideas to increase grammar learning.
3. Use engaging parts of speech coloring worksheets
Fun grammar activities don’t require a lot of teacher prep. Students love color by code grammar review so much, they don’t even realize they’re doing parts of speech work! You can use sentences containing the part of speech to identify or just words. These are easy to differentiate, and they double as great bulletin board displays!
Click here to grab these free parts of speech coloring pages!
4. Create fun grammar activities with treasure hunts
Hide grammar-related questions or sentences around the classroom or schoolyard, providing clues that lead students to the next location. Each correct answer brings them closer to finding the treasure. For instance, a clue might read, “Find the noun that names a person, place, or thing located near the playground.” This activity encourages students to apply their grammar knowledge while having an exciting experience.
5. Hold grammar rap battles
Turn grammar into a musical extravaganza! Divide the class into pairs or small groups and assign them specific grammar rules or parts of speech to create a rap song. Each group can write lyrics that showcase their assigned grammar concept while incorporating catchy rhythms and rhymes. Allow the students to perform their rap battles. The rhythm & rhyme, promote retention.
6. Use grammar puzzles and crosswords
Create crossword puzzles or word search activities that include grammar-related words or sentences. Encourage students to solve these puzzles individually or in small groups, challenging their knowledge of grammar rules and vocabulary. These are also great for early finishers!
7. Support fun grammar activities with theater days
Divide students into groups and assign each group a specific grammar rule or part of speech. They create short skits or plays that incorporate their assigned concept. The skits can be humorous or dramatic, allowing students to act out and demonstrate their understanding of grammar. Give the audience a note page where they must identify the focus part of speech and the specific words that fit the category the group has used during their skit. This activity enhances creativity and grammar application.
8. Parts of speech Bingo
Fun grammar activities can be calm and still effective. Create a Bingo sheet with 25 squares. Make the center a free space. Write a list of 24 grammar-related words or phrases on the board or, if you’re modifying, write them on the Bingo sheet and make copies. Some examples can include adjective, interjection, past tense verb, adverb of time, adverb of manner, shows excitement or emotion, etc. It really depends on your focus. Have some sentences ready to project and underline a specific word. Students must identify this part of speech on their Bingo sheet.
9. Grammar Jeopardy!
Create a Jeopardy! board by either drawing it on the front whiteboard, on large paper, or create it in PowerPoint. Divide the class into 5-6 groups. Have enough questions for each group to have one per point level. I like writing my questions on a piece of paper or in a doc and sort them by point level and letter. I have a category for A, B, C, D, & E. Within each letter category have 5 or 6 point categories: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25…
When a group chooses a question they ask for the letter and number (A-15). The higher the number, the more difficult the question. If answered correctly, they get the points and the question is no longer available. If not, the question remains in the game, but the next group remember the letter/number of the question in order to ask for it. To get all involved, each student within a group must answer a question. They may consult the group but must verbally answer on their own.
Click this link to find fun, engaging grammar coloring worksheets for each month of the year.
By incorporating fun grammar activities, teaching grammar to upper elementary and middle school students can become an engaging and memorable experience.
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What great tips for teaching grammar. I’m going to try some with my class; they sound like a fun way to practice!