Spelling Together

    Are you tired of practicing those spelling words the same old way?  Here are some new ideas that will definitely get your child excited about spelling!

Write the words in shaving cream!  This can be especially  fun during bath time.  Some toy stores sell colored foam that is perfect for this activity.

Keep magnetic letters on the fridge for easy access to those spelling words!

Play Hangman.

Spelling Puzzle: write each letter of a word on a piece of cardboard.  Then, cut the letters into puzzle pieces.  Allow your child to piece together the letters to spell each word.

Write your spelling words on multi-colored index cards.  Have your child alphabetize them.  Punch holes in them and put them on a ring.  Now your child has their very own spelling book!

Make a tape of the spelling words to listen to in the car!  Say the word into the recorder and then spell it slowly.  Better yet, have your child record them himself!

Use your spelling words to write and illustrate a story.  Don't worry about all of the spelling mistakes if your child is making an effort.  Let him read it to the family.

Rainbow Write your spelling words.  Use red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple crayons or markers to practice writing your words! Put them in an arc shape if you want to!  Click on the apple for fun worksheet you can use to type your spelling words rainbow style in a word document! 

Make a matching game.  Write each spelling word on two different index cards.  Turn all the cards facedown and have the first player turn over two cards.  If they match, the player keeps them.  If they don't, the player turns the cards back over and player two begins.

Have your child illustrate the spelling words!  Write each word and then draw a picture beside it to illustrate either the word or what the word means!

Make a word search!  Use a highlighter to find the words!

Make a crossword puzzle!  Have your child help you create riddles or sentences for the clues!

Jump rope while spelling!

Put the spelling words to the tune of a favorite song or write a rap!

Spell the words with Alphabits cereal or alphabet pasta.  Glue them onto a poster to increase fine motor skill development!

Throw or roll a ball back and forth with a partner.  When the person throws the ball, they saw the first letter.  The person who catches it says the next letter and so forth.

Trace the words in wet sand or dry salt!

Make a hopscotch board on a sidewalk using letters.  Then, have your child jump on various letters to spell the words.

Spell words in the car on the way to school.

Most importantly have fun!

Type your spelling words into a word processing program like Word.  Let your student chose a special font, put them in columns, or select special graphics to coordinate with the words!  

Idea submitted by Ross and his mom.

Have you got some more fun ways to practice spelling?  Email me and I'll add your ideas!

Fun Spelling Links