Sparkle Spelling is a highly-engaging game designed to practice spelling words. This game is optimal for large groups of players and requires no materials to play. Beware, once you try the Sparkle Spelling Game with your class, they’ll want to play it all the time!
Whether your six-year-old is working on learning basic color and number words or your high schooler needs to practice words for their biology class, this game is effective for all ages. Read on to learn how to play the Sparkle Spelling Game rules and how to play!
This Sparkle Spelling Game rules guide will cover the following:
- What is Sparkle Spelling Game?
- What you’ll need to play Sparkle Spelling Game
- Sparkle Spelling Game Rules
- How to play Sparkle Spelling Game (Video Tutorial)
- FAQs
Read on to learn how to play the Sparkle Spelling Game.
What is the Sparkle Spelling Game?
Sparkle Spelling is a game that has been played in classrooms for years to reinforce spelling word instruction. Adapted to meet the needs of many learners, the Sparkle Spelling Game gives children an engaging opportunity to practice spelling words with their friends or classmates.
Number of Players: 3 or more
Ages: 6+
Difficulty: Easy
Length of Play: 20-30 minutes
Category: Educational learning games
Similar to: Around the World, Sparkle Math, Trash Can Basketball
Main Objective: Be the last player standing to win the game!
Why We Love It: This game brings back some serious nostalgia. I remember playing this game when I was in school back in the 1990s!
What You’ll Need to Play Sparkle Spelling Game
Everything you need to play is listed below:
- Large playing area
- 3+ players
- A list of spelling words
Sparkle Spelling Game Rules
You can play the Sparkle Spelling Game with any group of students or children to practice or reinforce spelling words.
Begin with all players standing in a large circle. The teacher or instructor begins by identifying one student in the circle to start and gives a word for the students to spell.
The students take turns going in order around the circle giving one letter of the word until the word is spelled correctly and completely.
Example
If the teacher asks the group to spell the word magnificent, students take turns spelling one letter of the word until the word is complete. M-a-g-n-i-f-i-c-e-n-t.
However, if a student states the wrong letter in the sequence, they are out of the game and must leave the circle.
After the students correctly complete the spelling of one word, the following student in the circle says, “Sparkle!” This indicates the completion of the word, and the teacher will give the students another word to begin spelling.
Gameplay continues with as many spelling words as time allows. The last student remaining wins the game.
Alternative Variations
Add a timer or stopwatch to make Sparkle Spelling more engaging! Students really get amped up when there is a time limit. This added challenge keeps players motivated and focused even when it is not their turn to speak.
Another fun alternative is to allow the students to pass a small ball or object, such as a stuffed animal toy, to any player in the circle. Instead of simply taking turns around the circle, players toss the object to someone else to initiate the next player’s turn.
You can also set a designated goal for your class or group. For instance, see if they can spell three words correctly in a row without errors or see if students can correctly spell 3 words within 5 minutes.
If you have a very large class or group of players, you can divide students into teams to make the gameplay more collaborative and move at a faster pace!
These are simply examples; feel free to get creative and put your own spin on it!
How to Keep Score in Sparkle Spelling Game
There are no specific scoring requirements when playing Sparkle Spelling, but the last person to remain standing wins!
How to Play Sparkle Spelling Game – Video Tutorial
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you play Sparkle in the classroom?
With a classroom full of students, a great way to play Sparkle Spelling is to divide the class into smaller teams. These teams of students can then work together to determine how to spell each word. This also promotes team-building, communication, and collaboration among classmates!
How do you play Math Sparkle?
You could adapt Sparkle Spelling to a math edition by adding simple math problems or counting patterns. I give my students the chance to count by 2s, 5s, 10s, or so on and see if they can correctly follow the number pattern until the last child reaches 100 and shouts, “Sparkle!”
How do you play Spelling Ball?
Similar to Sparkle Spelling, play Spelling Ball by asking children to stand or sit in a circle. Say a word and toss a ball to a student at random. If the child spells the word correctly, they remain in the game; if not, they pass the ball back to the teacher or caller and must leave the circle.
Other Games Similar to Sparkle Spelling Game (Our Guides)
If you’re looking for more educational word games, be sure to try out these fun options!
- Dordle Rules
- How to play Quordle
- How to play Waffle
- Trash can basketball Rules
- Fly Swatter Game Rules
- Beginning sound bingo Rules
- Roll and Read Game Rules
- Hot Potato Game Rules
- Sparkle Math (Guide coming soon)
- Around the World (Guide coming soon)
