100 Spelling Activities!

  1. Alphabetize the words.
  2. Write the dictionary respelling of each word.
  3. Divide the words into syllables.
  4. Write the words and circle all of the vowels.
  5. Write the words and circle all of the consonants.
  6. Write the words and cross out all of the silent letters.
  7. Write the words neatly in pen (or marker).
  8. Make flash cards for the words.
  9. Write the definitions for the words.
  10. Have dictionary races with the words.
  11. Write the spelling words and the word directly before and after it in the dictionary.
  12. Write a text message for each word.
  13. Write the word and a synonym for it.
  14. Write the word and an antonym for it.
  15. Add prefixes or suffixes to each word.
  16. Classify the words according to parts of speech.
  17. Write tongue twisters with the words.
  18. Write jokes with the words.
  19. Use the words in similes.
  20. Use the words (or the similes with the words) in poetry.
  21. Cut the words out of magazines and make a collage.
  22. Cut the letters out of magazines and arrange them to make the words.
  23. Use magnetic letters to make the words on the chalkboard.
  24. Write the words on the board (or on slates) with chalk.
  25. Do jumping jacks, spelling the words as you jump.
  26. Scramble the words and give them to a friend to solve.
  27. Solve a friend’s scrambled words.
  28. Write your words in Morse Code.
  29. Make a word search on graph paper for a friend to solve.
  30. Solve a friend’s word search.
  31. Make a crossword on graph paper for a friend to solve.
  32. Solve a friend’s crossword puzzle.
  33. Assign numbers to the letters and do word math.
  34. Write the words with your non-dominant hand, then with your dominant hand.
  35. Dim the lights in the room. Write the words using a beam from a flashlight.
  36. Cheer the words: be a cheerleader and “give me a __” for each letter in words
  37. Write couplets using the words: He was fast in the past.
  38. Draw a picture and hide the words in the picture.
  39. Write newspaper headlines using your words.
  40. Write the words in tall skinny letters.
  41. Write the words in short fat letters.
  42. Write homophones for any words that have them.
  43. Write the words vertically.
  44. Add a letter or two to the word to see if you can make an entirely new word.
  45. Change a letter in the word to make a new word.
  46. Play Battleship: directions below.
  47. Write the words with all capital letters.
  48. Write each word and follow it with two words that rhyme.
  49. Decorate the first (capital) letters of nouns to make pictures of the words.
  50. Use alliteration by writing sentences with all of the spelling words with the same first letter.
  51. Play spell ball.
  52. Make riddles using the spelling words and share them with friends.
  53. Use modeling clay rolled into worms to form words
  54. Write the words vertically and use the letters as the first letters of words that describe yourself.
  55. Write your name vertically and fit as many words onto the name as possible.
  56. Act out verbs to a friend or group – guessers have to spell their guesses.
  57. Take a practice test with a partner – correct each other’s test.
  58. Write your words in sidewalk chalk.
  59. Type the words on the computer.
  60. Use Kidpix stamps to stamp spellings of words into computer.
  61. Draw pictures of words.
  62. Have a spelling bee.
  63. Write the words using a different color for each letter.
  64. Write the words in three colors
  65. Write the words in trays of salt or sand.
  66. Have a spelling relay where each student in the group writes one letter to a word that is called out.
  67. Have the same relay orally.
  68. Have a spelling relay where everyone in the group writes one letter to a word that is called out. Then pass the paper to a neighbor who checks the word and writes the next word. Continue until all the words are done.
  69. Trace the words on a partner’s back and have them guess the word.
  70. Spell the words in sign language.
  71. Play “Wheel of Fortune” or “Hangman”.
  72. Modify a Scrabble game by using only spelling words.
  73. Make the words out of pipe cleaners (each letter a separate pipecleaner)
  74. Make the words with Alphabit cereat
  75. Make the words with letter tiles
  76. Make word pyramids with spelling words
  77. Write the words in squiggly letters, then in regular letters
  78. Write a letter to a person of your choice using all spelling words
  79. Consonants are 10 cents, vowels are 25 cents. Add up your spelling words! Which word is worth the most?
  80. Write your spelling words. Create a shape around each one using different shapes for each word.
  81. Write your spelling words with dots. Then connect the dots!
  82. Create a code for each letter of the alphabet and write your words in code!
  83. Sort your spelling words into categories that you create.
  84. Write each word across and then each word down (ie: four

o

u

r)

85. Come up with a rhyming word for each spelling word.

86. Play one of the class spelling games (Letter Flip, Scrabble, etc.)

87. Play fraction spelling (see below).

88. Play word wall games to practice spelling words.

89. Play spelling games on the internet. A good source:

90. Words in words: write your spelling words and find two words that can be made from each spelling word (ie: stick: tick, sit)

91. Delicious words: write your words in whipped cream, peanut butter, etc.

92. Write your words in backwards ABC order

93. Write your words on graph paper and outline in colors.

94. Use a tape recorder and spell out your words then play back and listen to see if you got them right!

95. Form a group of students: the group must be as large as the number of the letters in your longest spelling word. Have each person be a letter as you spell each word (make letters with your bodies!)

96. Criss-Cross: find two words that have a common letter and write them so they cross.

97. Use string to write your letters.

98. Telephone spelling: translate each spelling word into the numbers they would be on the telephone keypad.

99. Use an etch-a-sketch to write your words.

100. Write your words on a magna-doodle.

FRACTION SPELLING

Grades

K-2, 3-5

Brief Description

Students create fractions to represent the number of vowels and consonants in each spelling word.

Lesson Plan

Students use weekly spelling words to complete this lesson.

Students fold a sheet of writing paper to create three columns. They write the week's spelling words in the first column. In the second column, they write in fraction form the number of vowels in each word. They write the number of consonants, in fraction form, in the third column. Example:

WORD / VOWELS / CONSONANTS
finger / 2/6 / 4/6

In the example above, the word finger has six letters. Two of those letters, or 2/6 of the letters, are vowels, and four of the letters, or 4/6, are consonants.

Extend the Activity
For visual learners: Students might draw a pie, or use a template you provide, divided into six equal parts. They can write the letters in the word finger in the pieces of the pie; they should write the letters in sequence, one letter per section of the pie. Then they can color each vowel with a crayon of one color and each consonant with another color.

Spelling Battleship

Grades 3-12

Objective: The students will practice spelling vocabulary, make use of a grid, and develop a positive attitude toward learning.

Materials: A makeshift battleship gameboard. A-E/1-6

Procedure: Have each student pick a given number of spelling words from the list and write them arbitrarily on the battleship grid. They must have a partner for this game. The first player guesses a coordinate. For example, B-2. If there is a word in that box the second player tells them the word. The first player must spell it correctly to gain a point. If the first player does not spell it correctly, he/she does not get the point and loses the turn. However, they may guess the coordinate again. The first student to get all the words spelled correctly wins.

1