Thread: Fun Ideas for Spelling Lessons

Those are some interesting ideas. I can not think of much to add to your list. Back in the day, I use to have to write my spelling words ten times each every day. I always did outstanding, and I fully believe that repetition is the key. We have many worksheets that are fun and involve spelling words. I also hold a spelling bee in my class.

I like to use the puzzle maker at discovery education. All you have to do is type in the spelling word list, and the program creates a word search. My kids seem to like word searches this year, and their spelling tests prove that I must be doing something right. When you said chocolate syrup, I thought of doing the same thing, but using shaving cream.

I teach kindergarten and the way that my students learn new words is by using short rhyming songs. I think this is a fun and engaging way for children to learn. They don't even know they are learning!

Using the tactile sense to practice is spelling is both fun and beneficial. Have the kids spell the words in shaving cream using their fingers. Besides shaving cream, sand can also be used.

Have you ever seen those funnel-shaped sand containers that hang from the ceiling on a rope or chain? The child guides the funnel over a flat-bottomed table with sides to hold the sand in. He can then spell out anything he wants by moving the funnel and stopping the flow of the sand with a piece of wood or with his finger. Students love these. They just can't lick their fingers on this one.

Students can also learn to sing catchy songs to spell difficult words. Everyone knows the one for Mississippi, I think. There are lots of others out there, and students might enjoy singing some to familiar tunes they already know.

We carry it one step further at my school. The kids take their spelling words to the computer lab where they are taught to put them in an excel file and sort them alphabetically. They love it and this activity helps them remember how to spell them.

I like the 2nd and 3rd ideas. We incorporate the word into a picture of what it represents. For example, if the word was 'cat' the students would draw a cat using the letters.

My little nephews and nieces like to work on plastic magnetic letters. When I am with them, I use such interest to help them with their spelling. I say a word and they spell it on the magnetic white board. They have so much fun arranging the letters in the correct order as fast as they can.