Looking for a high-engagement way to practice syllabication, decoding, encoding, and spelling patterns with upper elementary or middle school students? Syllable Smackdown turns phonics and word study into a fast-paced classroom competition students beg to play again!

Perfect for intervention groups, MTSS, Science of Reading instruction, and whole-class review, this editable game gets students actively applying syllable division strategies and spelling concepts in real time.

Many resources for middle school reading intervention seem juvenile and kids are immediately turned off to the concepts. With this game, students are able to let out their competitive side and get excited about learning!

How the game works:

Students work independently or in teams using whiteboards to:

• Spell dictated words
• Divide words into syllables
• Identify targeted spelling or phonics concepts

The first player or team with the correct answer gets to remove a point from another team. The last team standing wins!

This game combines:

• Decoding
• Encoding
• Oral Language
• Syllabication
• Morphology
• Student engagement
• Competitive review

What's Included:

*This is the foundational resource: Be on the lookout for bundled expansion packs with teacher words for dictation and answer keys.

• Editable game directions
• Teacher rules and procedures
• Game variations
• Intervention modifications
• Whole-group and small-group options

Why Teachers Love It:

• Extremely high engagement
• Minimal prep required
• Perfect for review and intervention
• Encourages academic discussion
• Builds confidence with multisyllabic words
• Middle school students LOVE the competition element
• Easily adaptable for multiple skill levels

Best For:

• Reading intervention
• RTI/MTSS groups
• Small groups
• Whole-class review
• Dyslexia Intervention
• Science of Reading instruction
• Middle School ELA
• Special education support
• Test prep review

Please note:

This resource is editable so you can customize word lists and concepts to meet your student's needs all year long.

Perfect for creating endless review games with your own spelling patterns, morphology concepts, or intervention targets!