Spelling

Want to get started right away -- maybe today -- with some fun spelling activities? Do you have paper and crayons on hand? Sure you do!

Here is a super easy spelling idea! Have your child completely cover a half sheet of paper with crayon. Use a variety of bright colors in any pattern at all.
Then you can do a couple of things with the waxy page. Your child can scrape the spellings into the wax with his fingernail or the end of pen cap.

Another idea is to place the waxy side face down on a clean piece of paper. Write the spelling words onto the backside of the colored page, pressing down hard. The wax will press onto the clean sheet, making rainbow letters.



Another idea that requires only the most basic of materials is to make visual images of the spellings. This may require a bit of help from the adult if the child is struggling with ideas. Here are some examples my daughter (age 8) and I came up with for some spelling words.

First, she was having trouble with the difference between of and off. Off has two f's as shown in this image; the f's make the filament of the lightbulb.










This example shows the power of simply visualizing how one difficult to spell word is like another, easy to spell word. Colors are used to emphasize the spelling.

For the last example, the spelling word was nice. I pointed out to my daughter that the word ice is inside nice. She came up with this image. A caption would be "Ice is nice on a hot day."

Another crayon spelling idea is to write words on white paper with a white crayon. The words will be almost invisible. But when you paint the paper with a thin tempera paint, the words will appear like magic!

Jump spelling is a way to engage the entire body in the spelling process! If you're outside, write all the letters you need to spell your particular words on the pavement. If you're inside, use letters written on pages of paper, scattered around the floor. Call out a word. The child has to jump out the spelling, moving from letter to letter.

Use sign language to sign the spelling.

Using the computer is ususally a motivator for children! Spell the words by typing them in a word processor or pretend on a cardboard keyboard.

Tracing and Shaping
Letters can be spelled out in various textures. These, although messy, are sure to engage your children in the day's spelling lesson. Consider taking it outside or to the bathroom for less mess.

* shaving cream
* sand
* jello or pudding
* finger paint
* rice (put it on a dark or bright background)
* birdseed
* playdough or clay