5 Fun Ways to Teach Writing and Grammar

Is it who or whom? Questions like that make students want to throw up their hands and give up on grammar for good. But this subject doesn't have to be boring—it can be fun. Grammar isn't just a set of rules to memorize. It's more like a puzzle as you try to fit pieces together. Here are five ways to liven up your next grammar or writing lesson. 

1. Grammar Jeopardy 

Materials List

• A computer or projector

• A set of grammar categories

• Questions and answers for each category

• Whiteboard and markers

• Buzzers or some way for students to signal that they want to answer a question

• A timer 

• A game board template (PowerPoint or Google Slides)

How it Works

Create a game board on a computer or projector with categories and point values, just like the TV show "Jeopardy." Each category should have different point values for questions of varying difficulty. Use categories such as "Parts of Speech" or "Punctuation." 

Divide your students into teams. Have them take turns selecting a category and point value and then answering the corresponding question. 

After a team selects and answers a question (correctly or incorrectly), the next team in line gets to choose a category and point value. The game ends when you've covered all the questions!

2. Comic Strip Creation

Materials

• Colored pencils, markers, crayons.

• Sheets of blank paper or comic strip templates.

• Grammar rules and examples related to the concepts you want to teach.

• A projector for displaying examples (optional) 

• Scissors and glue or tape if you plan to make a physical comic strip collage.

How it Works

Have students create comic strips or cartoons that illustrate proper grammar usage, like using quotation marks in dialogue. 

Explain the basic elements of a comic strip, including panels, speech bubbles, characters, and setting. Instruct your students to plan their comic strips, including the storyline, dialogues, and characters. 

3. Punctuation Scavenger Hunt 

Materials

• A printed list of punctuation marks. 

• A teacher's copy showing where punctuation marks can be found. 

How it Works

Create a scavenger hunt with clues that involve finding examples of punctuation in texts, posters, or books around the classroom. This activity can be done with other grammar rules and parts of speech. 

4. Storytelling with Grammar

Materials

• Notebooks 

• Pencils

• Story prompts (optional) 

How it Works

Have students write short stories, but they must include specific grammar elements or rules you're focusing on in each story. You can provide a specific story prompt to help the kids focus on writing the story instead of getting distracted by the idea. 

5. Parts of Speech Bingo

Materials

• Bingo cards with words (create these in advance or find printable templates online).

• Markers or bingo chips to cover words on the bingo cards.

• A set of calling cards with sentences or phrases, each containing a specific part of speech (nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, etc.).

• A bingo cage or a container to draw calling cards (optional).

• Whiteboard or blackboard and markers (for marking called words).

How it Works

Create or print Bingo cards with a grid of words. You can have different versions for your students, so each card contains a unique set of words. The words should represent different parts of speech (e.g., nouns, verbs, adjectives).

1. Give each student a Bingo card and markers or chips to cover the words. Review the rules of Bingo with your students if they are not already familiar with the game.

2. Before class, create a set of calling cards with sentences or phrases. Each card should contain a word with a sentence that demonstrates that word's part of speech (e.g., if the word is "jumped," the sentence might be "The quick brown fox jumped (verb) over the lazy dog.").

3. Begin the game by drawing a calling card and reading the word and sentence aloud. Students should listen and identify the parts of speech. If a student has a word on their Bingo card that matches the called part of speech, they can cover that word with a marker or chip.

4. The first student to complete a row (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally) and shout "Bingo!" is the winner.

By infusing creativity and fun into the learning process, students can engage with language rules and structure in an enjoyable way. These five activities offer opportunities to master grammar while having a blast. So, say goodbye to the grammar doldrums and hello to an energized and enthusiastic classroom. Give these games a try, and watch your students' language skills soar!

Written by Brooke Lektorich
Education World Contributor
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