Commas Game for 5th & 6th Grades: Proofreading Sentences OUCH Game

Do you have fifth- and sixth-grade students who do not use commas as they should? I don't think I have ever spoken with an upper elementary teacher who doesn't encounter this issue! You might want to consider sprinkling 3 or 4 minilessons that focus on comma rules throughout your school year. You can use this game as a fun follow-up activity to one of those lessons!

This is a hands-on game your students can play with a partner or small group to practice identifying comma errors in sentences. It includes 50 sentences. Students must determine whether the sentence is written correctly or incorrectly. If they answer correctly, they get to keep their card. The first person to collect seven cards wins the game! But be careful! If a student draws a card that says "OUCH", they must return all of the cards they previously collected back into the pot, and start over.

As they play this game, students will be reviewing where to place commas...

1. in sentences with dates

2. in sentences with a series of words, phrases, or independent clauses

3. in sentences with geographic elements

4. in letter greetings and closings

5. in sentences with a tag question

6. in sentences with introductory elements (yes/no, transition words, interjections)

7. in sentences where a person is directly addressed

8. in compound sentences

9. in complex sentences

If you've never played an OUCH! game in your classroom before, give it a try! It's super fun! The answer sheet includes an explanation for the sentences that are incorrect.

CHECK OUT THE PREVIEW!!

Here's what teachers like you had to say about using this game with their students:

• Jessica P. said, "This is such a fun and unique way to get my students to practice identifying comma errors!"

• Mallory P. said, "I used this game as a rotation during guided reading and all of my students were so excited for their turn playing."

• Amanda A. said, "Simple, little prep required. My kids loved it! It's a regular in our literacy games rotation."

• Stephanie S. said, "This was a very engaging way for my students to practice comma usage!"

Feel free to take a peek at some of my related resources! Just click on the links below!

Comma Rules PowerPoint

Comma Rules Task Cards

Comma Rules: A Set of EIGHT Worksheets

Comma Rules: 24 Digital Task Cards

Copyright by Deb Hanson

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