Elementary Lesson Plan: Building Language Skills with Word Games

Learning English language skills can be more fun for elementary students when word games are played. There are numerous words in the English language which are either spelled or pronounced the same, yet are completely different words; just begging to become silly word games.

Silly Word Games

Some words sound the same, but when spelled correctly have completely different meanings, which can make very interesting homework "research" assignments, as well as classroom games. Word pairs are listed below, for you to apply spelling-bee competitions, word puzzles, and rhyming poetry ideas.

Silly Word Pairs - Different Words Pronounced the Same

These sample sentences give examples of words pronounced the same but are spelled different, and mean different things. Word pairs in parenthesis also rhyme and can be used when writing poetry, or playing charade-word games.

We "ate" dinner at "eight" o'clock last night.

To "be" or not to be, a big black bumble "bee".

Was it a "bear" paw print, or your "bare" feet in the woods?

A box of "cereal" is different from a "serial" number.

"Dear" John, your "deer" is in my garden again!

You can "earn" allowance, to pay for the broken "urn".

I found a "flea" on Fido, but I "flee" from other bugs!

Santa says "Ho", but he won't "hoe" our garden.

I walked "in" the front door of the wrong "inn".

I "know" I shouldn't say "no".

I "knew" it was "New" Years.

It is "not" easy to tie a sailor's "knot".

An "ode" is a rhyme, but it won't pay back what is "owed" to me.

To sew you'll need a needle, thread, and a "pin" or two, but I write with my ink "pen"; what about you?

Yesterday I "read" my book with the "red" cover.

The "sea" is foggy today; did you "see" it too?

I wouldn't want "to" be "two" all over again; would you?

"Your" belongings can't tell us where "you're" going.

Silly Word Pairs - Same Words Used Differently

The silly word pairs below are spelled and pronounced the same, however their meanings change entirely, when used as a different part of speech. It can be fun changing nouns into verbs, and other parts of speech. These words can also be used in creative writing, poetry, or silly word charades too.

Would you rather tie a ribbon "bow", or "bow" to the queen?

Did you "duck" before getting hit, or did you eat Peking "duck"?

Hey, that's my "ear", not an "ear" of corn.

Would you rather eat a "fish", or go "fish" off the pier?

Banks pay less "interest" than they charge, so now I invest in my writing "interest".

I "like" him even though he acts just "like" a little monkey!

We drink our "milk" with meals, but we don't want to "milk" the cow for it.

There's a big "nut" tree in our backyard, but I'm the "nut" in our home.

I'd like to eat an "orange" even if I don't like the color "orange".

I have to "park" the car before we run over to the "park" trail.

"Quiet" time is like a time-out, you have to be "quiet" - no talking.

Plant a "row" of corn, before you "row" your rowboat.

I "saw" my dad cutting firewood with his power "saw".

Once I "tune" up my guitar, I can play the song "tune" for you.

To "warm" up food in the microwave is not the same as a "warm" friendly smile.

A "yak" is similar to a water buffalo; however they can't "yak" on your mom's cell phone.

It is possible to teach English grammar, spelling, and sentence structure while clearing up your elementary student's word-confusion, by playing silly-word games. Whatever you make more fun for your students will raise their retention levels and test scores, plus be more fun for you to teach.