Clash Rules Teacher Guide TEACHER FACILITATION GUIDE
CLASH RULES
Spelling Patterns: -ch vs -tch (Grade 6 Focus)
6TH GRADE EDITION
Core Objective
Students will analyze, categorize, and accurately spell words containing -ch and -tch endings, applying phonetic rules in middle-school contexts (gaming, sports, and mysteries).
The Hook
Pitch the lesson as a "Code-Cracking Tournament" where players (students) must debug glitches in words to win the spelling championship.
Multi-Day Tournament Bracket (Pacing)
Day 1: Analyzing the Playbook (Direct Instruction & Rules)
20-30 Min
Introduce the foundational spelling rules using the Spelling Showdown Slides . Teach the "Short Vowel Shield" rule for -tch and the multi-scenario use of -ch.
Key Prompt: "Why does glitch need a -tch but speech only gets -ch? Look at the vowel teammate!"
Day 2: Task Card Scrimmage (Cooperative Sorting & Practice)
30-45 Min
Group students into "Clubs" of 3-4. Distribute the Spelling Clash Task Cards . Students solve, spell, and verify. Incorporate movement: place cards around the room for a "Scavenger Hunt Match."
Teacher Move: Circulate and listen to phonetic debates. Ensure students say the word aloud to test the vowel's length before spelling.
Day 3: The Arena Finals (Worksheet & Assessment)
25-30 Min
Students complete the Pattern Combat Worksheet independently. Use the gaming & mystery sentences as an assessment. Conclude with a fast-paced spelling bee using the exception words.
Differentiation Playbook
Support Strategies
Have students highlight the vowel before making a choice.
Provide a card model: vowel + consonant = ch.
Focus heavily on 3-letter words first (catch , rich ).
Extension Challenges
Analyze complex multi-syllable compound words (e.g., backstitching , uncoached ).
Have students write their own "Glitched Code" stories using at least six words from both rules.
SPELLING SHOWDOWN LESSON SYSTEM PAGE 1 OF 2
ANALYTICS & ANSWER KEY
THE COMBAT RULEBOOK
Anchor Chart Quick-Map
T Team -TCH
Use -tch right after a single short vowel. The "T" acts as a shield to protect the short sound.
Examples: match, glitch, switch, clutch.
C Team -CH
Use -ch after:
Long vowels / Vowel teams (coach , peach )
Consonants like N, R, L (pinch , march )
*Exceptions: rich, much, such, which.
Code Glitches (Common Misconceptions)
🚨 Glitch: "Double-Vowel Double Up"
Students might write screetch instead of screech because they feel the long "ee" means it is a big word. Remind them that a vowel team (ee) ALWAYS uses -ch.
🚨 Glitch: "The Consonant Crash"
Students writing brantch instead of branch . Since "n" is already a shield of consonants protecting the "a", you only need -ch.
Master Answer Key Reference
Worksheet: Glitch Repair
1. glitch (short i)
2. coach (vowel team oa)
3. pitch (short i -> tch)
4. sketch (short e -> tch)
5. branch (after consonant n)
6. switch (short i -> tch)
7. screech (vowel team ee)
8. which (Exception word)
Task Card Solutions
-TCH CARDS
Card 1: match
Card 3: clutch
Card 5: snatch
Card 7: dispatch
Card 9: scratch
-CH CARDS
Card 2: search
Card 4: beach
Card 6: pinch
Card 8: torch
Card 10: coach
SPELLING SHOWDOWN LESSON SYSTEM PAGE 2 OF 2
Spelling Showdown Slides SPELLING SHOWDOWN
6th Grade Phonics Arena
Level 01: The Ending Clash
The Ultimate CH vs TCH Spelling Battle
Decode the secret rules of the arena, shield your short vowels, and eliminate spelling glitches.
Classroom Presentation Mode
SLIDE 1/5
TEAM -TCH: THE SHIELD RULE
RULE 01
The Short Vowel Shield
Use -tch immediately after a single short vowel sound.
The letter "T" stands between the spelling ending and the short vowel to protect its quick, soft sound!
i
Short I Sound
glitch
a
Short A Sound
match
TCH
THE PROTECTOR
vowel is short -tch
Example: c a t c h
Remember: Single Short Vowel = Use -TCH! SLIDE 2/5
TEAM -CH: THE TEAMWORK RULES
RULE 02
No "T" Shield Needed Here!
Use -ch when there is already support before the spelling sound.
1. AFTER VOWEL TEAMS
Long vowels (ea, oa, ee) stand alone.
coach, peach
2. AFTER CONSONANTS
Letters like n, r, l act as shields.
pinch, march
CH
THE TEAM PLAYER
vowel team/consonant -ch
Example: m a r c h
No Double Shields! If another consonant or long vowel is there, use -ch! SLIDE 3/5
GLITCH WATCH: THE EXCEPTIONS
GLITCHES
System Exceptions
In English spelling, there are a few short-vowel words that do NOT use the -tch shield. These are the rulebreakers!
Memorize these four words. They should have a "T" shield but decided to play on Team -CH instead!
Rulebreaker 1 rich
Short I, but uses -ch.
Rulebreaker 2 much
Short U, but uses -ch.
Rulebreaker 3 such
Short U, but uses -ch.
Rulebreaker 4 which
Short I, but uses -ch.
Spot the glitches! Rich, much, such, and which are pure -CH! SLIDE 4/5
GLITCH REPAIR: PLAY NOW
CHALLENGE
GLITCH 01 (Gaming)
The game system suffered a sudden gli____ .
Choose ending: -tch (Short vowel "i" needs a shield)
Pattern Combat Worksheet PLAYER NAME:
DATE:
XP: 500
PHONICS ARENA
PATTERN COMBAT
Detect spelling bugs. Write either -ch or -tch to repair the system code.
GLITCH REPAIR
Rule: Single short vowel -tch (glitch ). Long vowels / other consonants -ch (coach ).
1 Part 1: The Glitch Scan (Fill-in-the-Blank)
Q1
The video game server encountered a critical gli________.
Q2
The track coa________ shouted tactical orders during the race.
Q3
The baseball player threw an amazing pi________ to strike them out.
Q4
The graphic artist drew a rapid ske________ of the character.
Q5
The wind snapped a sturdy oak bran________ during the storm.
Q6
Can you swi________ to the live gaming stream now?
2 Part 2: Code Debugger (Find and Correct)
LOG FILE #01: THE HYPE SPREECH
"The esports team leader gave an inspiring spreetch before we got on stage."
CORRECT CODE:
LOG FILE #02: SYSTEM ACCESS
"We had to determine whitch terminal had authorization to launch the update."
CORRECT CODE:
3 Part 3: Code Construction (Synthesis)
Write a complete sentence using a -tch word, and one sentence using a -ch word.
SENTENCE 1 (With a -TCH word like glitch, clutch, or switch):
SENTENCE 2 (With a -CH word like coach, pinch, or speech):
SPELLING SHOWDOWN LESSON SYSTEM WORKSHEET PORTAL
Spelling Clash Task Cards HANDS-ON ACTIVITY
SPELLING CLASH CARDS
Cut out cards for sorting, spelling drills, or game-style review.
DECK A: CARDS 1-6
CARD 01 • GAMING 100 XP
Level Boss
"We played a final ma_______ on the legendary esports map."
A) -ch B) -tch
CARD 02 • NATURE 100 XP
Map Scan
"The scouts had to sear_______ the old coordinates for clues."
A) -ch B) -tch
CARD 03 • SPORTS 150 XP
Championship Play
"In a clu_______ play, our goalie blocked the shot to win the game."
A) -ch B) -tch
CARD 04 • OUTDOORS 100 XP
Ocean Level
"We spent the hot afternoon at the bea_______ playing volleyball."
A) -ch B) -tch
CARD 05 • ADVENTURE 150 XP
Item Quest
"The player had to sna_______ the gold key before the trap closed."
A) -ch B) -tch
CARD 06 • MYSTERY 120 XP
Clue Tracker
"The detective felt a pin_______ of doubt about the witness statement."
A) -ch B) -tch
SPELLING SHOWDOWN LESSON SYSTEM PAGE 1 OF 2
RECORD LOG SHEET
SPELLING CLASH CARDS
Cards 7-10 and student answer log for sorting.
DECK B: CARDS 7-10
CARD 07 • SCI-FI 120 XP
Transmission
"We had to dispa_______ a message to the control center immediately."
A) -ch B) -tch
CARD 08 • EXPEDITION 100 XP
Campfire Quest
"We used a brilliant tor_______ to light up the dark cavern."
A) -ch B) -tch
CARD 09 • TECH 120 XP
Armor Damage
"Be careful not to scra_______ the monitor screen with keys."
A) -ch B) -tch
CARD 10 • TEAM 120 XP
Tactics Coach
"The head coa_______ designed a secret defensive bracket."
A) -ch B) -tch
STUDENT COMBAT RECORD LOG
Solve cards 1 to 10. Write your final spelled word in the correct slot below.
CARD 1
CARD 6
CARD 2
CARD 7
CARD 3
CARD 8
CARD 4
CARD 9
CARD 5
CARD 10
SPELLING SHOWDOWN LESSON SYSTEM PAGE 2 OF 2
