Learning spelling words is a common homework task for many primary school children. Unfortunately, repeatedly writing and re-writing a spelling list is a task that few children find interesting or enjoyable. Spelling software containing games as well as online word games offer general assistance, although these do not encourage handwriting practise and are not focused on the words being learned at school.
Using a variety of spelling activities can help children maintain interest and focus while memorising spelling words.
Writing Spelling Lists
The monotony of repeatedly writing out spelling words can be relieved by trying some of the following variations:
- Write words in two colours using one for vowels and one for consonants
- Write out the list with the non-dominant hand (left hand for right-handed writers and visa versa).
- Another child or adult writes the words in the air with her finger and the student must guess the spelling word from his list. Note - both parties must be facing in the same direction for this to work.
- Another child or adult writes the spelling words with her finger on the back of the student. The student must guess which word from his list was written.
- Write words forwards and then in reverse (eg helicopter, retpocileh)
- Write or form words using a variety of media such as crayons, buttons, shells, shaving cream, wool, matchsticks, craft sticks/popsticks, plasticine/play dough.
- Paint the words by either using paint on paper or using a larger brush and water on an outside path, fence or wall.
- Cut letters from newspapers or magazines to spell out the words.
- An adult scrambles the spelling words and the student must unscramble the letters to write his list.
Spelling Word Writing Activities
Using spelling words in sentences and word games can reinforce correct spelling and ensure that children understand the correct definition and/or usage of a word.
Suffixes – list the spelling words down one side of the page. On each line, rewrite the spelling word with any possible suffixes (endings). Common suffixes include -s, -es, -ed, -er, -ly, -ing, -ment, -able, -ible, -ing, -tion, -ive, ance, -ence, -ous, -less, -ness, -est, -ful. Some words can have two suffixes, such as reasonably (-able and –ly), refreshingly (-ing and –ly) and regretfully (-ful and –ly).
Prefixes – list spelling words down one side of a page. On each line, rewrite the spelling word with any possible prefixes (beginnings). Common prefixes include un-, dis-, anti-, ir-, bi-, tri-, sub-, im-, co-, auto-, tele-, photo-
Write a paragraph using all spelling words from the list. Underline the spelling words.
An adult writes a series of cloze sentences, with gaps where the spelling words should be placed. The student needs to place all the spelling words into appropriate gaps in the sentences. For example:
The ....... sat on the ......... (words: mat, cat).
With a little bit of creative thought and planning, it is possible to make memorising spelling words more interesting for children and thereby increase their retention of what they have learned.
Related articles: Antonyms and Synonyms; Flashcard Games; Word Games for Children
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