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Dicing with Grammar

Average Rating4.74
(based on 214 reviews)

It's simple really: English grammar can be a very dry subject, but this need not be the case. For a few years now, I have been developing a games-based approach to teaching important grammar concepts. It is amazing how the introduction of dice takes the learning into a new place - the element of chance making it seem less like work and more like play. Because I test my games extensively in the classroom, I get a feel for what works. Dump your boring worksheets and start dicing with grammar.

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It's simple really: English grammar can be a very dry subject, but this need not be the case. For a few years now, I have been developing a games-based approach to teaching important grammar concepts. It is amazing how the introduction of dice takes the learning into a new place - the element of chance making it seem less like work and more like play. Because I test my games extensively in the classroom, I get a feel for what works. Dump your boring worksheets and start dicing with grammar.
Scratch coding, hungry frog
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Scratch coding, hungry frog

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This is whopping 70 slide powerpoint and 16 scratch files to walk you through coding a finished ‘launcher’ style game. The powerpoint gives you everything you need to know and all the code blocks too. You have to launch an animal at its food, and code gravity and obstacles. It’s great fun and will take a class around 5 lessons. It really depends on how much coding they have done and how much further they want to take the game. I have used it across KS2.
I can add -ing
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I can add -ing

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A two player dice game that really gets children talking about the rules for adding -ing. This resource comes with a peer marking sheet so that children can learn from each other. Depending on your class, you’ll need at least 30 minutes to play this.
Prepositions and prepositional phrases, three games to give a secure understanding
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Prepositions and prepositional phrases, three games to give a secure understanding

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Prepositions can be a tricky group of words for some children. Through these three games, children will become very comfortable at knowing, classifying and using prepositions and prepositional phrases. First, play the memory test - some surface level learning that ensures that children know some examples of prepositions. Next, play the sorting game. This goes a little deeper, and children learn the different functions of prepositions. In the final game, children move on to prepositional phrases and use them in sentences. The last game is differentiated 3 ways to support those that need it and challenge those that are ready. Play these games over two lessons and your class will be confident at explaining the functions of prepositions and able to use prepositional phrases within written compositions. Explanations of the concepts, rules and resources all included, as always.
40 grammar dice games (US VERSION!), fun to play, all fully resourced - just add dice!
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40 grammar dice games (US VERSION!), fun to play, all fully resourced - just add dice!

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*This version is for United States buyers. There is a UK version too. This is a large word doc. containing all 40 of my grammar games. This represents a fair few evenings and weekends (I know - get a life!). All of these games have been tested in class and adjusted if needed - they have a real impact on learning. For each grammar skill there is: a child friendly explanation of the grammar concept; printable rules and resources for a lively dice game; suggestions to challenge or support learners; suggestions for application of the skill in written work. Here are some of the skills covered: commands, questions and statements/ simple and compound sentences/ adverbs/ proper nouns/ classifying nouns/ contractions/ pronouns/ prepositions/prepositional phrases/ apostrophes/ adjectives/ sentence variety/ parentheses/semi-colons/ discussion/ persuasion/ complex sentences / causal connectives/ fronted adverbials/ speech/ relative clauses/ modal verbs
parentheses, dashes, fully planned and resourced lesson, brackets, semi-colons, games, US version
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parentheses, dashes, fully planned and resourced lesson, brackets, semi-colons, games, US version

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There are two useful resources here: 1. A carefully planned lesson about parentheses using dashes, exploring how different types of extra information can be added to a sentence. This includes a detailed lesson plan and 3 activities (the final one is a team game, with clear differentiation). All resources are included. The lesson covers these Year 5/Year 6 objectives: I understand the terms dash and parenthesis/parentheses; I can explain some uses for parentheses; I can use parentheses creatively for lots of different purposes. This is perfect for a demonstration lesson or an observed session. There is minimal ‘teacher talk’ and lots of active pupil engagement. 2. I have also included a further punctuation game: ‘Punctuation show-offs’. I can use brackets, dashes (parentheses) and semi-colons in my sentences. Would you like the writers in your class to be ‘punctuation show-offs’? Me too. I created this dice activity to encourage children to add extra information to sentences using parentheses (brackets and dashes) and also to separate closely related main clauses using semi-colons. I have also provided teacher and - more importantly - child friendly explanations and examples of all concepts. Children may incidentally find out about Usain Bolt, Picasso, Stephen Hawking and a 1000kg bowl of cereal. Have I caught your interest yet? This whole activity has a ‘show-off’ theme and it’s fun. After playing this, you can remind your class to be ‘punctuation show-offs’ in their own writing. Finally, I have added a ‘Victorian’ version of the same game, to show how it can be adapted to different themes.
Plurals, scavenger hunt and dice game exploring 6 rules for changing singular to plural
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Plurals, scavenger hunt and dice game exploring 6 rules for changing singular to plural

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You are buying four resources here. They could be used in this order: 1. A scavenger hunt activity - active start to the lesson Cut up the word bank provided and stick the cards around the room, or simply leave the word bank out on tables. Children need to hunt for words that match plural rules. Finally, children apply the rule and change the singular noun into its plural form. 2. Extension tasks (in orange) for those that finish quickly. 3. A PowerPoint that goes over the rules from the scavenger hunt. Clear up any misconceptions before moving on to the next activity... 4. A fun dice game for exploring 6 of the most common rules for changing singular nouns into plural nouns. The first one to fill their solar system with plural nouns wins! It has a space theme ('Plural Planets'), but I have included an editable version of the gameboard so that you can easily change the theme to match your class topic. Enjoy! *I have added a' Vikings' themed gameboard to show how the game can be adapted to different writing topics.
'Follow the dice' story writing dice game that builds sentence variety into writing. It's fun too!
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'Follow the dice' story writing dice game that builds sentence variety into writing. It's fun too!

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Assessment focus I can use a wide variety of sentences and conjunctions in my writing Explanation Some of us are great at writing long descriptive sentences, whilst others are superb at short and shocking ones. We don’t always remember to use a wide variety of sentence types throughout our writing. It is far more enjoyable to read a story packed with questions, exclamations, complex sentences and speech sentences than a story that sticks to one or two of these. Have you ever wanted to write a story without doing any planning or preparation? Well, now’s your chance!
simple and compound sentences, dice game, silent letters
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simple and compound sentences, dice game, silent letters

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Assessment focus I can compose simple and compound sentences. Explanation This is two versions of the same game. By rolling dice and flipping cards, children construct their own simple and compound sentences. The second version has lots of silent letters words as this was a spelling focus in my class. It is an effective way of making sure that children are secure with these basic - yet important - sentence structures.
Quiz, Quiz, Trade Cards (China)
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Quiz, Quiz, Trade Cards (China)

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Quiz, Quiz, Trade is a fun and active way for children to learn facts. The cards can be tailored to cover any subject area, topic or learning objective and are particularly useful for introducing a new subject area that your class wouldn't already know lots about. You could include a range of differentiated questions, but I have often found that the children you least expect will learn the more complicated facts after playing this game. The idea behind Quiz, Quiz, Trade is that it is a fun, non-threatening and exciting game that is inclusive for all and will help all children in your class to acquire knowledge quickly. Really handy when you just need them to have a bit of background knowledge or learn something quickly in order to apply or develop the knowledge in their work. Quiz, Quiz, Trade can be used for any age group (my cards are all aimed at years 4-6) that will be able to read the questions and answers. I have used Quiz, Quiz, Trade in observations with much success (see instruction page) and consistently use it to introduce new topics in class-the children love it!
Quiz, Quiz, Trade Cards (Ancient Greeks)
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Quiz, Quiz, Trade Cards (Ancient Greeks)

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Quiz, Quiz, Trade is a fun and active way for children to learn facts. The cards can be tailored to cover any subject area, topic or learning objective and are particularly useful for introducing a new subject area that your class wouldn't already know lots about. You could include a range of differentiated questions, but I have often found that the children you least expect will learn the more complicated facts after playing this game. The idea behind Quiz, Quiz, Trade is that it is a fun, non-threatening and exciting game that is inclusive for all and will help all children in your class to acquire knowledge quickly. Really handy when you just need them to have a bit of background knowledge or learn something quickly in order to apply or develop the knowledge in their work. Quiz, Quiz, Trade can be used for any age group (my cards are all aimed at years 4-6) that will be able to read the questions and answers. I have used Quiz, Quiz, Trade in observations with much success (see instruction page) and consistently use it to introduce new topics in class-the children love it!
Quiz, Quiz, Trade Cards (Magic/History of Magic)
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Quiz, Quiz, Trade Cards (Magic/History of Magic)

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Quiz, Quiz, Trade is a fun and active way for children to learn facts. The cards can be tailored to cover any subject area, topic or learning objective and are particularly useful for introducing a new subject area that your class wouldn't already know lots about. You could include a range of differentiated questions, but I have often found that the children you least expect will learn the more complicated facts after playing this game. The idea behind Quiz, Quiz, Trade is that it is a fun, non-threatening and exciting game that is inclusive for all and will help all children in your class to acquire knowledge quickly. Really handy when you just need them to have a bit of background knowledge or learn something quickly in order to apply or develop the knowledge in their work. Quiz, Quiz, Trade can be used for any age group (my cards are all aimed at years 4-6) that will be able to read the questions and answers. I have used Quiz, Quiz, Trade in observations with much success (see instruction page) and consistently use it to introduce new topics in class-the children love it!
Place value, multiplying whole numbers and decimals by 10, 100 and 1000
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Place value, multiplying whole numbers and decimals by 10, 100 and 1000

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A simple time saving resource. Working in pairs, children have to pick numbers from one group and then pick operators from another group. Every class I have taught needs practise at this key skill, and this is a quick and easy way for them to generate lots of questions and discuss their answers. This resource is 3 PowerPoint slides designed to be used as activity sheets. The activities become more challenging, involving more decimal places and more digits. I recommend using place value sliders with this activity - they are easy to make if you don't have any. I have also included a very simple dice game, covering the same objective. This can be easily differentiated by using more (or less ) dice. I hope you find these activities as useful as I have.
Quiz, Quiz, Trade Cards (Charles Darwin)
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Quiz, Quiz, Trade Cards (Charles Darwin)

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Quiz, Quiz, Trade is a fun and active way for children to learn facts. The cards can be tailored to cover any subject area, topic or learning objective and are particularly useful for introducing a new subject area that your class wouldn't already know lots about. You could include a range of differentiated questions, but I have often found that the children you least expect will learn the more complicated facts after playing this game. The idea behind Quiz, Quiz, Trade is that it is a fun, non-threatening and exciting game that is inclusive for all and will help all children in your class to acquire knowledge quickly. Really handy when you just need them to have a bit of background knowledge or learn something quickly in order to apply or develop the knowledge in their work. Quiz, Quiz, Trade can be used for any age group (my cards are all aimed at years 4-6) that will be able to read the questions and answers. I have used Quiz, Quiz, Trade in observations with much success (see instruction page) and consistently use it to introduce new topics in class-the children love it!
Quiz, Quiz, Trade Cards (Circles)
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Quiz, Quiz, Trade Cards (Circles)

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Quiz, Quiz, Trade is a fun and active way for children to learn facts. The cards can be tailored to cover any subject area, topic or learning objective and are particularly useful for introducing a new subject area that your class wouldn't already know lots about. You could include a range of differentiated questions, but I have often found that the children you least expect will learn the more complicated facts after playing this game. The idea behind Quiz, Quiz, Trade is that it is a fun, non-threatening and exciting game that is inclusive for all and will help all children in your class to acquire knowledge quickly. Really handy when you just need them to have a bit of background knowledge or learn something quickly in order to apply or develop the knowledge in their work. Quiz, Quiz, Trade can be used for any age group (my cards are all aimed at years 4-6) that will be able to read the questions and answers. I have used Quiz, Quiz, Trade in observations with much success (see instruction page) and consistently use it to introduce new topics in class-the children love it!
Quiz, Quiz, Trade Cards (Shapes)
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Quiz, Quiz, Trade Cards (Shapes)

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Two different sets of quiz, quiz, trade cards for learning about shape. Quiz, Quiz, Trade is a fun and active way for children to learn facts. The cards can be tailored to cover any subject area, topic or learning objective and are particularly useful for introducing a new subject area that your class wouldn’t already know lots about. You could include a range of differentiated questions, but I have often found that the children you least expect will learn the more complicated facts after playing this game. The idea behind Quiz, Quiz, Trade is that it is a fun, non-threatening and exciting game that is inclusive for all and will help all children in your class to acquire knowledge quickly. Really handy when you just need them to have a bit of background knowledge or learn something quickly in order to apply or develop the knowledge in their work. Quiz, Quiz, Trade can be used for any age group (my cards are all aimed at years 4-6) that will be able to read the questions and answers. I have used Quiz, Quiz, Trade in observations with much success (see instruction page) and consistently use it to introduce new topics in class-the children love it!