Having two
reluctant spellers, finding new and interesting ways to practice spelling
words has proven worth the effort.
Click on the activities below to be taken to their description.
Speller keeps one hand behind
his back and tries to keep the balloon from touching the ground by tapping
it with the other. The balloon may be tapped one time after a correct
letter. For example using the word 'cat', a correct turn would be: 'c'
*tap* 'a' *tap* 't' *tap*. If the balloon touches the ground, or is tapped
without saying the next letter the spellers turn is over.
Record
spelling words on the computer (we use the simple Sound Recorder app that comes
with Windows). The child should say the word, pause (to allow the child to spell
the word on playback), say the word again, and give the correct spelling.
Transfer the recording to an MP3 player or have the child listen to the
recording on the computer.
Option 1:
The child
looks at a word on their spelling list, covers the word and spells the words using magnetic letters
without looking at the paper. The child then checks spelling and continues on to
next word.
Option 2: One person reads the
spelling word, and the child(ren) spell the words using magnetic letters.
Run and Spell:
(student and teacher, or group activity)
Select a starting point for a
running course and the route to be taken. Also select a waiting point
several feet from the starting point. Add obstacles to the course, if
desired. We use a short course that starts in the kitchen, runs into the
family room, and back into the kitchen. For obstacles, we use boxes to jump
over, tables to crawl under and or chairs to run around.
The first speller stands at the
starting point and is given a word to spell. Other participants line-up
behind the waiting point. If the speller spells the word correctly, they're
told to "go," and they run the course ending at the back of the line at the
waiting point. If the speller is incorrect, they're given the correct
spelling, they repeat the correct spelling, and are told to "go."
Once a speller is told to "go,"
the next speller in line moves from the waiting point to the starting point
and is given their word. Play continues in the same manner.
If a speller misspells a word,
they are given the same word on their next turn. This is more easily done
with smaller groups and may be eliminated with larger groups.
Roll of the Dice:
(student and teacher, or
group activity)
die/dice
spelling
list
This
activity requires at least two people: one to have the spelling list and one
to be the speller. The objective (besides having fun and learning to spell
words) is to spell the most words correctly during one turn.
The speller
rolls the die/dice. The list keeper counts down the number of words shown on
the die/dice and asks the speller to spell that word. If the speller is
correct, the list keeper checks that word off the list and awards the
speller one point for the correctly spelled word. The list keeper then
counts down the number shown on the die/dice again and asks the speller to
spell that word. The speller's turn continues until he misspells a word or
has spelled all the words correctly. The spellers number of words spelled
correctly in that turn is recorded and the turn passes to the next child.
When
counting down the list, the list keeper skips over words the speller has
already spelled correctly to make sure all words on the list are eventually
asked.
Child
looks at a word on their spelling list, covers the word, and spells their words using sidewalk chalk.
After writing the word, the child checks their spelling against the spelling
list. Encourage the children to be
creative in decorating their words.
Spelling Pictionary:
(student and teacher, or
group activity)
paper and pencils, or small
chalk/white boards & chalk/markers
large sheets of paper and marker, or whiteboard and marker
spelling list
timer (optional)
The children take turns being the picture drawer. All other players are the
guessers. The picture drawer chooses or is given a word to draw on a large
piece of paper and/or white board. The guessers watch while the drawer
illustrates the spelling word. When a guesser thinks s/he knows the spelling
word, the guesser writes the correct spelling of the word on a sheet of
paper/small chalk or white board. The first guesser to correctly guess and
spell the word is awarded one point.
Spelling Charades: (student
and teacher, or group activity)
spelling list
timer (optional)
The children can take turns
acting out the words. All other players are guessers. The actor starts the
time and begins to act out the word. The actor isn't allowed to say any
words or make any noises. When a guesser thinks s/he knows the word, the
guesser writes the correct spelling of the word on a sheet of paper/small
chalk or white board. The first guesser to correctly guess and spell the
word is awarded one point.
Words
in a Hat: (student and teacher, or group
activity)
spelling words
written on small pieces of paper
hat (or other vessel to hold slips of paper)
One person is the keeper of the hat. The other children take turns removing
slips of paper from the hat and without looking at them, give them to the
keeper of the hat who reads the word off the slip of paper for them to
spell. Each correctly spelled word earns one point.
Cut 15-20
15cm/6" pieces of yarn for each speller. Knot both ends of the yarn pieces
to prevent unraveling. The child looks at a word on
their spelling list, covers the word and spells the word using yarn to form
the letters to spell the word. After spelling the word, the child checks
their spelling against the spelling list.
Spelling Games
Spelling Ideas Fun Ways to Spell Spelling Fun Ideas Spelling Spellers Learning
to Spell Fun Ways to Learn to Spell Fun Learning Spelling Spelling Fun Learning
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