1. Play Spelling Scrabble
I purchased several used Scrabble games at various garage sales for less than $2 each. When my students finish their work, I will sometimes allow them to play a game I made up called Spelling Scrabble. It works like this: Students place all of the letters on the floor face-up. They take turns putting spelling words on the game board. They can choose any spelling word from their list, and it's not too hard because they can choose any of the letters on the floor. When a word is placed on the board, they add up the points and record it on a score sheet. (Because my student are younger, I tell them to ignore double word, double letter, triple letter, and triple word bonuses.) When students can no longer add new spelling words to the board, the game ends. The student with the most points wins.
2. Computer Spelling
Anything related to computers motivates my students. Building spelling skills is as easy as opening up Microsoft Word and instructing students to type the words on their spelling list in ABC order. I prefer having students use the computer to practice alphabetizing words because it is easy for them to go back and add, or delete words from the list. Sometimes, to mix things up, I'll have them use their words in sentences. When they're done, I let them choose their own font, add a graphic, and print out their work. Not only are students practicing spelling words, they're also learning essential computer skills that they'll use throughout their lives.
3. Spelling Clues
Spelling clues is another game I made up that requires some advance prep work, but students love it. Write a clue for each spelling word. For example, if the spelling word is "apple", your clue might be "a yummy red fruit that grows on a tree." Each spelling word should have one clue. Students sit at their desks, with a copy of their spelling list and a blank sheet of paper. Read each clue one-by-one. Students have 10 seconds to find the correct word from their list and correctly write it on their paper. Tell them not to worry if they don't know the answer to all of the clues, as long as they're trying their best. After you've read all of the clues, and students have written their guesses on the paper, trade papers and read through the answers. Have students make sure the answers and spellings are correct. They love listening to the clues and trying to figure them out, and it builds higher-order thinking skills too.
4. Spelling Jigsaw Puzzles
On a single sheet of paper, print all of the week's spelling words. Make sure the words are written in a large font. Cut the words apart into separate rectangles. Then, cut each word into 2 or 3 parts. Then, place all of the pieces in a small box or bag. Students spread the pieces on the table and try to match the parts to build spelling words. If you try this with students, you may want to have them keep all parts on the desktop so puzzle pieces are not lots. It's a great game for the visual learners in your classroom.
5. Student-Made Puzzles
Word search puzzles are a classic activity for reviewing spelling words, but they're even more fun when students make the puzzles themselves. To do this, just create a paper that has 1cm graph paper on the top half, and blank lines for spelling words on the bottom half. Students can write their spelling words on the graph paper, placing only one letter in each box. Words can be written horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. When a word is added to the puzzle it should also be written on the blank lines on the bottom half of the page. When all of the spelling words have been added to the graph-paper-puzzle, students fill in the empty boxes with random letters. Then, they give the puzzle to a friend to solve!
This article was written by guest blogger Tim Weibel. He is a third grade teacher and the creator of SuperTeacherWorksheets.com . The site features hundreds of free, printable materials, including: spelling lists, math worksheets, handwriting practice, and much more.
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