Spelling is important because it helps us learn to read. The spelling of words helps to cement the connection that is shared between sounds and letters. There is also a direct connection between spelling and writing. There is so much to writing – your child has to think about handwriting, spelling, grammar, and punctuation. They must think about organization of their story and the choice of words. Poor spellers may limit what they write to only the words that they can spell rather than venturing out to exploring new words. Learning high frequency sight words are also important with both reading and writing.
We will be practicing our spelling words all week in school - getting ready for the Spelling Test on Friday (or the last school day of the week).
Here are some fun ways for your child to practice their words at home.
Practice Shape Patterns
Practicing shapes patterns of words can be done in a few different ways. You can either draw the shape of the word (for instance, the word “cat” would be two small squares and a tall rectangle) or for a movement opportunity, your child can create the word shape with their body.
Involve the Senses
Another way to help children remember their words is to involve their other senses. Write works during bath time with bath crayons. Use shaving cream on a table. Fill a shoe box with sand and trace the letters. Use window crayons to write the words on windows (then teach them how to wash it off after).
Make Your House a Spelling Factory
Use post-it notes or index cards to write the spelling words on – place them throughout the house.
Type Them
Type all of your spelling words on the computer.
Colorful Words - Use two different color pens to write your spelling words. Use one color to write the consonants and the other for the vowels. Do this one more time. Close your eyes and picture the word in your mind. Now try and write the word with just one color.
Fancy Letters
Use old magazines, catalogs, or newspapers to cut out letters and glue them down to spell your words.
Spelling Baseball
Draw four bases on a piece of paper or set up four chairs to be the bases. Pitcher selects a word. If batter can spell it correctly, he moves forward one base. If batter cannot spell word, he remains where he is. Child receives point every time he passes home base.
Spelling Bingo
Each player folds a piece of paper 4 times so you have 16 boxes. Each person makes his own game board and chooses 16 words from the current list and past lists (or use the same words more than once). Write one word in each box. The caller says a spelling word. If a player has the word on his bingo card, he traces over it with a pen or colored pencil. If the player does not have the word, he turns his paper over and writes it on the back.
Snowman or Scarecrow (Hangman)
Snowman is a fun version of Hangman. On a wipe-off board or chalkboard, draw a snowman with hat and three buttons. Play like hangman (don't forget to draw the lines to show how many letters the chosen word has), but erase a part of the snowman for each guess. The object is to guess the word before the snowman melts.
Water Wash
(Warm day required!) Use a paintbrush and water to write your words on the sidewalk!
ABC Order
Write your words in alphabetical order. Then write them in reverse alphabetical order.
Connect the Dots
Make a square of 4 rows of dots with 4 dots in each row. Before taking a turn, the player must spell a spelling word. If the word is correct, he connects two dots. When a player forms a square, he can write his initials in the box. Player with most squares at the end wins.
Story, Story
Write a story using ALL of your spelling words.
Sentence Please
Write a sentence for each spelling word.
Word Search - Make a word search puzzle.
Memory Game - Make pairs of word cards. Flip them over and try to match the pairs!
Finger Tracing - Use your finger to spell out each of your words one letter at a time on your Mom or Dad’s back. Then it’s YOUR turn to feel and spell.
Practice Test - Take a practice test (this is especially good on Thursday night before the REAL test).
Scrabble - Use Scrabble tiles to spell your words.
Sing Them Loud, Sing Them Soft - Have Mom or Dad sing the letters of a spelling word to you in a loud voice. You echo the spelling and then sing it again softly. Now BOTH of you sing the word in the voice you choose!