If you have an elementary school student, you probably have the dreaded weekly spelling list as part of the homework routine. LJ is pretty good about doing his homework with no complaints (it helps that he loves reading and math) but practicing spelling words always elicits a groan out of him.
If your student also dislikes practicing spelling words, finding a new and creative way to practice them can minimize the “groan factor” a bit. Here are some creative ideas on how to get that practice in:
* Write the words in shaving cream. This is best done on a surface that can be easily cleaned such as a jelly roll pan. If your child likes taking a bath, the shower wall works well too.
* Text the words to another phone/device. This is only advisable if you have unlimited texting or iMessage. I’d hate to see you receive an unexpected cell phone bill because of all the texts!
* Write a story using as many of the words as possible. Give extra “points” if two or more words are in one sentence.
* Write the words in the snow. Take an empty ketchup, mustard, or any squeeze-type bottle and add water and food coloring. Squirt the liquid onto the snow to form the letters. (If you live in a warm climate, you can use sidewalk chalk.)
* Write with your non-dominate hand. If your child is right handed, try writing the list with the left hand. The result may not be legible, but it is the act of writing the letters that will help the memory stick.
* Make a ransom note. Cut letters out of old newspapers and/or magazines. Glue the letters on a piece of paper to form the words “ransom” style.
* Use Scrabble tiles. Use Scrabble tiles and the board to see how many of the words can intersect and how many points can be earned.
* Play a guessing game. Have your student guess which word you are looking at on the list by using clues such as “it has a silent e on the end” or “this word uses the short a sound near the beginning”.
* Use magic! Have your student write their words on white construction paper with a white crayon. Then paint over the paper with watercolor paint (like in those paint trays) and the words will appear – like magic!
* Use iPad or tablet apps. Playing with my iPad is always a treat for LJ. I downloaded SpellBoard Buddy which allows me to create weekly spelling lists (I record the word and an example sentence). LJ types the words in and writes them using a stylus which he loves.
Hopefully one or two of these ideas will sound like fun to your student and make learning those weekly words a little easier!
nicóle says
All great examples for helping kids learn to spell/read!
Toni Patton says
Great ideas!
Faith and Family Reviews says
Those are all great ideas.
Melissa says
These are great ideas
Pixie Deals says
Great ideas. Spelling is a dreaded subject in our house.
Canadian Mom Blogger says
Great ideas, and great post! Thanks for sharing.
HilLesha says
Awesome ideas!
Diane - It's All Good Until You Burn Dinner says
It’s not really “practicing” spelling words, but reading is so awesome for kids to develop good spelling skills from little one. We read to our kids from the moment they were born (and I’m not exaggerating). Both are teens and high readers and my son is a finalist for the Scripps spelling be in 2 weeks. I am an okay speller…but I wish my parents would have known about some of your great tips to use with me when I was little! Thanks for sharing!
Diane - It's All Good Until You Burn Dinner says
It’s not really “practicing” spelling words, but reading is so awesome for kids to develop good spelling skills from little one. We read to our kids from the moment they were born (and I’m not exaggerating). Both are teens and high readers and my son is a finalist for the Scripps spelling be in 2 weeks. I am an okay speller…but I wish my parents would have known about some of your great tips to use with me when I was little! Thanks for sharing!
Diane - It's All Good Until You Burn Dinner says
It’s not really “practicing” spelling words, but reading is so awesome for kids to develop good spelling skills from little one. We read to our kids from the moment they were born (and I’m not exaggerating). Both are teens and high readers and my son is a finalist for the Scripps spelling be in 2 weeks. I am an okay speller…but I wish my parents would have known about some of your great tips to use with me when I was little! Thanks for sharing!
Diane - It's All Good Until You Burn Dinner says
It’s not really “practicing” spelling words, but reading is so awesome for kids to develop good spelling skills from little one. We read to our kids from the moment they were born (and I’m not exaggerating). Both are teens and high readers and my son is a finalist for the Scripps spelling be in 2 weeks. I am an okay speller…but I wish my parents would have known about some of your great tips to use with me when I was little! Thanks for sharing!
Diane - It's All Good Until You Burn Dinner says
It’s not really “practicing” spelling words, but reading is so awesome for kids to develop good spelling skills from little one. We read to our kids from the moment they were born (and I’m not exaggerating). Both are teens and high readers and my son is a finalist for the Scripps spelling be in 2 weeks. I am an okay speller…but I wish my parents would have known about some of your great tips to use with me when I was little! Thanks for sharing!
Night Owl Mama says
I’ll be entering this with my kindergartner soon love the scrabble tiles that sounds like fun
Lolo @ Crazy About My Baybah says
Those are great ideas. So much better than just testing over and over.
Tammy says
Great ideas. I used to use shaving cream to teach my son to write.
Double Duty Mommy says
these are wonderful ideas!
Laurie says
These are great, I spell words and put letters on the side of the tub for my kiddos with bath markers.
HilLesha says
Will definitely have to bookmark this for my son!
Marcie W. says
Our 2nd grader is in the highest spelling level group in her class (there are 3) and we practice like crazy every week. These rock!
Momstart says
writing in the sand and snow is always fun
Donna says
Great ideas. My son (a 3rd grader) just came in 3rd place in his school’s spelling bee. Two 5th graders beat him. We’ve been doing a lot of spelling lately. 🙂
Courtney says
I loved practicing on my chalkboard! 🙂
Karen says
Thanks for the tips, I especially enjoyed this since we are always looking for new ways to learn!
Simply Being Mommy says
Fun! We will have to try some of these.
Anne - Mommy Has to Work says
Great ideas!
That Bald Chick says
Love the scrabble tiles idea. We are learning to spell (ages 3 & 4) and I can see using this one a lot.
healthyworkingmom says
I’ve used many of these and they are great. Good to see them still in action!
healthyworkingmom says
I have used many of these myself. Great to see them still around.
@therebelchick says
These are all fantastic ideas! 🙂
Zippy says
I remember playing scrabble to help learn how to spell.
Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell says
Those are all such good ideas! My sister and I used to write letters on each other’s backs with our fingers and then see if we could each guess them.