9th Grade Vocabulary
& Spelling Activities
Here's a simple idea for boosting 9th grade vocabulary and spelling skills that you can use anytime throughout the year, with any words. Ninth graders are beginning to learn specialized information that aligns with future careers and hobbies. They are learning simply through curiosity. Take advantage of all this new information they are acquiring by asking them to share their knowledge.
Your students can help create the 9th grade vocabulary assignments!
This activity asks students to do two things:
- Choose the correct spelling of some tricky words AND
- Choose the correct usage of those words.
9th Grade Vocabulary Idea
To create this activity:
1. Make a list of 10-15 words that you want students to practice. Ask a pair of students each week to contribute 2-4 additional words of their choice.
2. Write each word correctly and incorrectly in a word box on the board or on a worksheet.
3. Write a sentence that uses each word correctly, but omit the vocabulary word.
Sample Activity
Here's an example of words and sentences you might use, with words from our list of 9th grade spelling words.
Word box:
citadel/citidel impass/impasse hinderance/hindrance chasm/kasm dexterous/dextrous exageration/exaggeration
Sentences:
1. The negotiations between the workers and the owners came to an _________________.
2. A deep _________ separated the rescuers from the stranded hikers.
3. The ____________ provided great protection for the citizenry.
4. A driving rainstorm was a serious ________ to the ambulance driver.
5. The advertiser's claim about the benefits of the diet program proved to be a huge _________________.
6. It takes a ________________ hand to operate this delicate machinery.
1. impasse 2.chasm 3. citadel 4. hindrance 5. exaggeration 6. dexterous
How else can students help?
I'm so glad you asked!
- First come up with a master list of about 100 words you want students to practice during the year. Ask each student to contribute at least 2 more words to the master list. (If you have 25 students, you'll have a total of at least 150 words!)
- Then assign about 4 or 5 words from your list to each student. Ask students to thoroughly research each of his words so that he is able to use it correctly in a sentence.
- Next, ask students write a good sentence for each of his words, including both the correct answer and a possible incorrect spelling.
- Then collect each student's work. Group sentences into sets of 10-12 sentences each. For each set, create one worksheet or board work assignment to practice one portion of your 9th grade vocabulary word list. Place all the words and alternate spellings for each set in a word box, and write the sentences underneath.
You'll have enough material to make up to 15 worksheets, and your main jobs have been only to organize and type/write the information!
Two BIG benefits:
- Students learn a lot of words throughout the year.
- You provide meaningful 9th grade vocabulary and spelling practice with limited amounts of your own time spent.
Teachers, to get maximum benefit from this student-driven exercise, be sure to keep a record of the words you've used. That way, you'll avoid repeating words. PLUS, you'll have a great database of words to use in classroom activities, quizzes, and for future years of vocabulary lessons. There are so many "WINS" here!
More Upper Grade Worksheets & Resources
Antonym Antics Our free vocabulary worksheets include some excellent spelling practice, too. Instead of simply learning vocabulary words the old-fashioned, boring way, why not give your students some critical thinking, highly-engaging worksheets like this one?
It's a Disaster! Hilarious spelling and grammar worksheet that provides practice with past participle verbs. Students will enjoy working through each sentence to read the surprise ending.
Cryptogram Worksheet Puzzle page for upper grades. Includes instructions so students, parents or teachers can make more cryptogram puzzles with any word list.
Synonym Crossword Can you solve this mammoth-sized challenge? Many words have LOTS of synonyms. BIG, for instance, has these synonyms, and more: mammoth, enormous, huge, immense, astronomical, and gargantuan. For each clue you must select a synonym that fits into the diagram!
"Ex" Marks the Spot Another great vocab worksheet for upper grades. Each of the 25 answers in this crossword puzzle begins with the letters EX. If your students solve this quickly, you should be EXceedingly happy. You should EXtol their talents and EXcellent abilities!
So N "ICE" to
Know You! We have lots of free printable English worksheets, including this vocabulary page! This exercise provides great spelling and vocabulary practice for students in middle school and older. Each answer contains the letters ICE. Some of the words are super-easy. Others? Not so much!
Opposites Solving a word scramble puzzle is a lot of fun, especially if you like word play games. Scrambles are also a great classroom activity for spelling and vocabulary reinforcement. Notice the two-part instructions on this engaging worksheet.
Pull-Apart Synonyms Extremely challenging free word scramble game! Can you pull apart these letters, without rearranging them, to spell a pair of synonyms? Is this as easy as it sounds???
Try some of these challenging brain teasers with your upper grade students!
Word Lists
You may also find these word lists to be helpful. If you students can master the spellings of these words, they will be stronger writers.
Difficult English Spelling Word Lists
9th Grade Spelling Words With Definitions
- Spelling Words Well ›
- 7th – 12th Grade Spelling ›
- 9th Grade Vocab
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