Vocabulary games help third graders learn new words while gaining a better understanding of words they have already been taught. Matching games, where students match the word to its definition, can help children learn new vocabulary words. Prefixes and suffixes can be taught through a card game in which students draw a card that is labeled with a prefix or suffix, and then says a word using that prefix or suffix..
Third graders can gain an understanding of what they are reading through role-playing games in which they develop a short skit, based on the story, to present in front of the class. Another fun way for students to learn text comprehension is by cutting sentences up from strips of paper and having the children locate words and phrases to create sentences and paragraphs.
Another aspect of reading comprehension is understanding grammar. A fun way to introduce third graders to the various types of words (nouns, adjectives, verbs, etc.) is to create a deck of blank cards. On each card, write a word that can be on of the word types. Deal cards to the students and have them play a form of Go Fish where they as questions such as "Do you have a word that is a noun?" and the other player hands them a card with a noun on it.
Phonics skills allow children to read and decode words. Games to help children improve their phonics awareness include Phonics Bingo, in which students are provided Bingo cards with various pictures. The caller makes the sound of a letter, or group of letters, for example "k," "ch," "sh" or "p" and the children mark the pictures that begin with the sound. Third graders can also learn phonics skills by saying or singing words while clapping along to each syllable. Children will gain an understanding of how words are broken up and that each syllable has a vowel sound.