These worksheets contain spelling activities for your sixth grade students. Activities include answering short questions with words from a word bank, unscrambling spelling words, filling out crossword puzzles, matching words to their definitions, dividing spelling words into groups by number of syllables, placing spelling words into alphabetical order, finding spelling words in a word search puzzle, completing spelling words using definition clues, using given spelling words in a sentence, decoding secret messages, and more.
While many teachers start to expect rather than assess spelling at this level. We do find a huge drop off of spelling skills at this grade level as students begin to rely solely on the spelling check function of their devices.
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Printable 6th Grade Spelling Worksheets
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This is a 5-stage chart: 1. Cover up the
word/say it to
yourself
2. Spell the word
without
looking at it
3. Uncover the
word and
check for
errors
4. Cover up the
word again and
spell it in your
head
5. Spell the word
and then
check it for
the last time.
This is a tough word list to work with. It includes the words: cyst, system, Syntax, lyric, lymph,
nymph, symmetry, syndicate, synopsis,
voice, troy, poise, recoil, rejoice,
destroy, employ, spoil, moist, broil,
choice, enjoyment, disjointed, employment, appointment,
howl, gown, cowl, down, allow,
endow, vowel, crowd, prowl, scowl,
brown, flowery, and powerful.
You may need to think through finding your way out before you begin to write anything. You will be Amazed!
How 6th Graders Can Improve Their Spelling
Spelling can be tricky for anyone, especially 6th graders. New and complex spellings are taught to students in this grade, who learn more about different kinds of words. However, once they get the knack for this, they’ll move on from the 6th grade with a better sense of the English language.
Common Problems At this Grade Level
Similar Sounding Words:
In the 6th graders, students often get confused with words that sound or look familiar, such as accept and except. Such words are not something that students will learn simply by practicing but by actively learning.
To help students with such words, try telling 6th graders to write out brief definitions of each word and use them in a sentence. Once students understand how and where a word is used, it’s unlikely that they will forget.
Confusing Vowels
Some words are tricky to spell based on the sheer number of similar-sounding vowels present, for example, coupon or separate. Students often mix up the location of the vowels.
To help students with such words, ask them to emphasize the vowels when pronouncing them. This can be better done by breaking the word down into syllables. For example, breaking separate into se-pa-ra-te. If practiced enough, this will become a subconscious habit in students, helping them spell such complex words.
You could help your 6th grader improve their spelling in many different ways.
Spelling Games
Games make students focus on the task and keep them interested and attentive. However, 6th graders are mostly grown up, so you would require some complex games. Some games you can have your students play are:
Letter Scrabbles
Spelling Bees
Memory Games
Word Scrambles
Spelling Lists
Spelling lists were created for teachers to know which words should be taught to the children. The list contains 850 words, accounting for 80% of the words students use. The list gets shorter as the student progresses in grades. However, there are around 300 words that a 6th grader should know how to spell; you can find the list here.
Make Learning Fun
Commonly, a 6th grader does not enjoy studying and would rather spend their time playing or watching entertaining videos. It is up to the educator to grab the attention of the students. There are different ways that you can achieve that:
Make songs or rhymes using spelling
Create a word bingo
Use arts and crafts
Make up competitive spelling games.
Use the internet. It is full of exciting things students can do to learn.
Practice
The best way to learn something is to do it repeatedly. Practice makes perfect! Get your students to complete different tasks daily. The goals of the tasks should be:
Spell words they read and use frequently
Begin to spell unknown words
Understand how words are formed.
Finishing Up
It is essential to know that not every child is the same. Every child learns at their own pace and in their own way. Some perform better under visual learning, while some are better at memory. It is important not to lose focus of the goal and keep your students steadfast in their learning.
The best thing for 6th graders is practicing, making mistakes, and learning from them. 6th graders are at an advanced age where they do not need to be coddled. They realize that they have work to do and should do it. So, lead them with a carrot and a stick.
