Writing games make learning active and fun. These 5 writing games were created with a lot of people in mind. You can easily modify them to fit various languages, topics, ages and levels of learning.
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Writing Games for Language Learners
I have been teaching language learners for 21+ years. These writing games were created based on consistent needs that I see among children of all ages and from many languages. They are easy to run, fun to play and were designed to fine tune grammar and spelling as well as increase vocabulary.
5 Fun Writing Games
This post will show you how to conduct each of these 5 writing games:
- Sentence Scramblers
- Silly Sentences
- Spelling/Vocabulary-4-11 Words
- Spin a Puncutation
- Questions-4-8 Words
Materials:
First of all, the most materials you will need to play any or all of these writing games are:
- Ideally, a large white board* (A chalkboard or smart board can work also.)
- 2 magnetic spinners* (These magnetic spinners are a game changer! So many games posted here on Fun Writing Ideas includes this winner spinner. The magnetic spinners are truly a big hit and highly motivating. I haven’t found a child yet, that didn’t want to spin the spinner. As soon as they see the spinner, they want to play and “get” to write!)
- Individual white boards*
- Black dry erase markers*
- Socks to serve as erasers* (preferably colorful for fun!)
Smaller or Larger Groups
For smaller groups (up to 8) divide a large classroom whiteboard into 4 sections. Assign a pair to each section. For larger groups, or if you don’t have a classroom whiteboard, divide the group into pairs. Give each pair a small white board, dry erase marker and a sock to serve as an eraser. You can purchase a class pack on Amazon*.
Earning Points
In order to earn a point for each of the writing games below, the written sentence has to have a capital letter, spacing, correct spelling and punctuation. Once students have completed their sentence, they don’t say anything. Instead, they just turn and look at you, the parent or teacher, or hold up their white board to show you their sentence.
Need a Thumbs Up!
Then, you look at it. If there is one mistake, hold up 1 finger. If there are 2 mistakes, 2 fingers, 3 mistakes, 3 fingers, 4 mistakes, 4 fingers. When there are no mistakes, students get a thumbs up and tally a point. Students who have a mistake continue to correct the sentence until they get a thumbs up.
Once each pair has correctly written the sentence, move onto the next turn. Continue to play until the allotted time runs out! Now, I’ll show you the 5 games and how to play them.
#1: Sentence Scramblers
Sentence Scramblers is a winner game EVERY TIME for my students! I first began using this game in China (Read my full teaching background here.) when all I had was chalk and a chalkboard. I was teaching a group of public high school students, 60 in a class.
Every student was able to play this sentence scramblers game because I could make it as easy or as challenging as they needed it to be. I was even able to get the kids sleeping at the back of the class to participate. HA!
As my time in China progressed, I began incorporating the English vocabulary words that they were learning in their English classes. The local Chinese English teachers loved that I was supporting them and their curriculum. This game can truly be played anywhere, for any age, with any language and focus on any spelling pattern or vocabulary words.
Common Core State Standards
Common Core State Standards that can be addressed in this game include: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.K.2, L.K.2.A, L.K.2.B, L.1.2, L.1.2.B, L.1.2.D, L.2.2, L.3.2, L.4.2, L.5.2, RF.K.1.C, RF.1.1.A, RF.3.3.D, RF.4.3.D.
Pairing Students
For this game, pair the younger children with older or struggling writers with advanced writers. Additionally, to prepare for this game, write out a list of sentences to scramble. Use specific spelling patterns or vocabulary words that you know your students are working on. Below, I’ve included lists of sentences that I’ve used in my teaching.
Young and Struggling Writers Vs. Older or Advanced Writers
When writing out the sentences, half of them need to be simple for young or struggling writers. The other half are challenging for the older or advanced writers. That way, the sentences are tailored to meet the varying needs of each student. For the younger group, scramble an easy sentence, for the older group, a longer, more challenging one.
HOW TO PLAY!
First, draw a box in the top center of the whiteboard. Write the words that are in a sentence in a scrambled fashion. The first word of the sentence is capitalized. Additionally, include any punctuation in the box.
Next, the children write the words in order to make a complete, correct sentence: Can I go?
Last, check their sentence. There’s no need to say anything. Just show them 1, 2, 3 or 4 fingers to indicate mistakes or a thumbs up for a correct sentence!
Print the Instructions
Here are the instructions for you to print out and use.
Lists of Sentences to Scramble
Below are lists of sentences that I’ve scrambled for students. They accompany specific writing prompts.
These sentences go along with the Rapunzel writing prompt.
These sentences go along with the I’m Ready for a Pet!-Persuasive prompt
These descriptive sentences go along with the State Fair descriptive prompt.
These tiger Facts go along with the Tigers Rescued fiction prompt.
These serval Facts go along with the Serval’s Personal Narrative prompt.
These lemur Facts go along with the Lemurs vs. Lumberjacks prompt.
These descriptive Sentences come from the book and writing prompt titled Dance at Grandpa’s
These sight Word Sentences are for Beginner Writers
#2 Silly Sentences
Silly Sentences is a great writing game for laughs. Kids love being able to choose words. In addition, they like how nonsensical the sentences get. All the while, students are practicing and improving their ability to write complete sentences with correct capitalization, spelling and punctuation.
Common Core State Standards:
It also can address the following Common Core Standards: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.K.1, L.K.1.F, L.K.2, L.K.2.A, L.K.2.B, L.1.1, L.1.2, L.1.2.B, L.2.2, L.3.1, L.3.1.F, L.3.1.D, L.3.2, L.4.1, L.4.1.F, L.4.1.G, L.4.2, L.4.2.A, L.5.1, L.5.2, RF.K.1.C, RF.1.1.A
First, draw two circles on the white board, chalk board (or smart board). Divide the circles into 8 sections.
This writing game can be played in one of two ways.
16 Random Words
First, both circles can be filled with ANY (appropriate) words that the students give. Call on students one at a time to tell you a word. Then, write it in one of the sections. Continue until all sections are filled, then play! (Detailed directions are below).
8 Vocabulary or Spelling Words + 8 Random Words
Second, and most often, we fill the first circle with vocabulary words or with a spelling pattern that we’re working on. This is where the ideas are ENDLESS. You can choose words that your kids need to practice and know. You can use Math, Science, History, Language vocabulary, ANY words! It doesn’t matter. The game is fun EVERY TIME because the second circle is filled with ANY (appropriate) words that the kids give.
So Many Choices!
Contractions
For example, if you were working on contractions. You’re circles might look like this:
On another day, we were working on contractions and learning about flowers. The students spun its and rose.
Harry Potter Characters
During our Harry Potter-Fantasy writing camp, we used Harry Potter characters in the left circle and chosen words in the right. I wish you could have heard the laughs. I was enjoying the campers so much that I didn’t take any pictures (sigh). It’s truly a winner game!
HOW TO PLAY!
In order to play Silly Sentence, one child spins. Then, one partner in each pair takes a turn writing a a sentence that uses both words. The sentence can be normal or super silly! As soon as they’re done writing, students don’t say anything. They simply look at you or hold up their board to show you their sentence.
Earning Points
Simply show them 1, 2, 3 or 4 fingers to indicate mistakes or a thumbs up for a correct sentence! Writers who get a thumbs up right away can keep writing new sentences, earning more points, until each camper has finished their one sentence. Once each pair has correctly written the sentence, move onto the next turn. Continue play until the time allotted runs out!
Print the Instructions
Here are the instructions for you to print out and use.
Writing Prompts
We’ve played this game after the following writing prompts:
Puddle Jumping-Fantasy: Use words like rain, puddles, splash, drops etc. to play!
Farm Animals-An Idiom Story: Use horse vocabulary.
Never Ending Syrup Sundae-Instructions: Use ice cream toppings.
Gnome in a Pumpkin Patch: Use words like gnome, vine, pumpkin etc.
Ring-Tailed Lemurs Stink Fight: Use the words bounce, waft, squeak and scent.
Name Shape Insect: Use bug names.
The “Q-U” Queen-Fairy Tale: Use words that start with QU.
End of Summer-Friendly Letter: Use random words in both circles.
(Using random words in both circles)
#3 Spelling/Vocabulary 4-11 Words
This game is super fun and covers three major skills. First, students can practice a new spelling pattern. Second, they can practice and solidify their understanding of new vocabulary. Finally, writers get to practice expanding a sentence.
The challenge that entertains the children most is when they have to write a sentence with EXACTLY, 4, 5, 6…or 11 words in it. This skill does not come easy and this game is a fun way to develop it!
Common Core State Standards
Note that this game can address the following Common Core State Standards: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.K.1, L.K.1.E, L.K.1.F, L.K.2, L.K.2.A, L.K.2.B, L.1.1, L.1.1.D, L.1.1.G, L.1.1.H, L.1.1.I, L.1.1.J, L.1.2, L.1.2.B, L.1.2.D, L.2.1, L.2.1.B, L.2.1.D, L.2.1.F, L.2.2, L.2.2.C, L.3.1, L.3.1.I, L.3.2, L.3.2.F, L.4.1, L.4.1.E, L.4.1.F, L.4.1.G, L.4.2, L.4.2.A, L.5.1, L.5.2, RF.K.1.C, RF.1.1.A
Setting Up the Game
Like game #2, magnetic spinners make this game active and fun. Buying the spinners* is very worth it! You need two magnetic spinners to play.
- First, draw two circles on the white board.
- Next, divide the first circle into 2, 3, 4, or 8 sections, according to the number of words you want the children to focus on.
Spelling Pattern or Vocabulary
3. Third, you’ll need to decide which spelling pattern OR vocabulary you want the students to work on and how many words you want the them to focus on. Fill the first circle with those words.
For example, you can simply write the spelling words use and used in a two piece circle.
Or, you can focus on the spelling words could, would and should.
An eight piece circle can be filled with irregular past verbs, contractions or a set of specific vocabulary words.
If you’re working on animal, biology, countries or Spanish vocabulary, the circle can be filled with those words. The possibilities are endless! Again, fill the first circle with the specific words that you want the children to practice.
4. Lastly, write the numbers 4-11 in the second circle.
Now to Play!
1. First, partners spin the two spinners for the whole group.
2. Next, one partner in each pair takes a turn writing a sentence using the spelling or vocabulary word that the spinner landed on and using the number of words spun to form the sentence. For example, after the gumball machine writing lesson, we played this game using names of candy.
Students spun the #5 and the word TWIX. Here is one of their sentences:
The sentences can be normal or super silly! Last, when students are done writing, they hold up their board. There’s no need to say anything. Just show them 1, 2, 3 or 4 fingers to indicate mistakes or a thumbs up for a correct sentence! Writers who get a thumbs up right away can continue to write more sentences, earning more points while they wait for every camper to finish their one sentence.
Once each pair has correctly written the sentence, then move onto the next turn. Continue until each pair has had a turn to spin or until the allotted runs out!
Print the Instructions
Here are the instructions for you to print out and use.
WRITING PROMPTS THAT GO WELL WITH THIS GAME
The words couldn’t, wouldn’t and shouldn’t in the Beach-Journal prompt
Fair vocabulary in the State Fair descriptive prompt
Candy Brands in the Gumball Machine instructions prompt
The words use and used in the Chopsticks Vs. Forks and Knives prompt
Ingredient words in the Reindeer Sandwich-Instructions prompt
The words Fossa and Lemur in the 3 Little Lemurs and the Big Bad Fossa prompt
#4 Spin a Punctuation
This punctuation game helps writers learn and solidify their understanding of a period, question mark and exclamation point.
Common Core State Standards
NOTE: This game can address the following Common Core State Standards:CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.K.1, L.K.1.D, L.K.1.F, L.K.2, L.K.2.A, L.K.2.B, L.1.1, L.1.1.J, L.1.2, L.1.2.B, L.2.1, L.2.2, L.3.1, L.3.2, L.4.1, L.4.2, L.5.1, L.5.2, RF.K.1.c and RF.1.1.A
Here’s How It Goes:
You’ll need two magnetic spinners*.
First, draw two circles on the whiteboard. Divide the first circle on the left into 16 sections.
16 Words
At this point, you can fill the 16 spaces with specific words that you’d like your writers to work on (like game #3). Or, you can ask your students to give you whatever words they want (like game #2).
My students and I often play this game after 60 Seconds Nouns-Adjectives-Verbs because the students like to turn the 16 letters into 16 words.
Punctuation
Third, divide the second circle into 3 equal sections. Write a period in one section, a question mark in the 2nd section and an exclamation point in the 3rd section.
Fourth, two writers spin.
Earning Points
Then, one partner in each pair takes a turn writing a statement, question or exclamation using the word that was spun. When they’re done writing, they hold up their whiteboard. There’s no need to say anything. Just show them 1, 2, 3 or 4 fingers to indicate mistakes or a thumbs up for a correct sentence! Writers who get a thumbs up right away can continue to write more sentences, earning more points, while they wait for every student to finish their one sentence.
Once each pair has correctly written the sentence, we move onto the next turn. Continue playing until each pair has had a turn to spin or the allotted time runs out!
Print the Instructions
Here are the instructions for you to print out and use.
Writing Prompts
We played this game after the following writing prompts:
2019 Meet These African Americans
The Penny President-Non-Fiction
#5. Questions-4, 5, 6. 7 Words
Kids enjoy this game ANYTIME. It’s especially great to play when you’re introducing a new topic of study because the students can write questions that they have about the topic.
Common Core State Standards
Also, this game can address the following Common Core Standards: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.K.1, L.K.1.D, L.K.1.F, L.K.2, L.K.2.B, L.1.1, L.1.2, L.1.2.B, L.2.2, L.2.2, L.3.1, L.3.2, L.4.1, L.4.2, L.4.2.A, L.5.1, L.5.2, RF.K.1.C and RF.1.1.A
Playing the Game
You’ll need one magnetic spinner*. First, draw a circle on the white board, chalk board (or smart board). Divide the circle into 4 sections and number each section 4, 5, 6, and 7.
Then, tell the children the topic you’re focusing on (lemurs, wild cats, whatever topic you’re working on!!) Next, a student spins a number. Last, the students write a question about the topic using the number of words spun. Number 4 means they write a question with 4 words, and so on. The question can be serious or silly!
Earning Points
When they’re done, they don’t say anything. They just hold up their whiteboard. You look at it and indicate 1, 2, 3 or 4 mistakes, or a thumbs up for a correct sentence!
Writers who get a thumbs up right away can continue writing new questions, earning more points, until all writers have completed their one question. Once each pair has correctly written a question, we move onto the next turn. We usually continue play until we’ve landed on and used all 4 numbers or until the time allotted runs out!
Print the Instructions
Here are the instructions for you to print out and use.
More Writing Games
These 5 games have truly been a success in my writing camps and classes. I can’t recall a single student who has resisted these games or refused to participate. While these 5 games are favorites among most of my students, we play so many more games. Click below to find other games to play with your students as well!
Writing Games Using Letter Tiles
Click here to learn fun games to play using Letter Tiles*!
Talking Games
If you just have a short amount of time to work with, try playing one of these quick and easy talking games.
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