rebecca 
Spelling is often associated with tedious memorization for both children and adults. In the traditional classroom setting, it usually involves repetitive drills, spelling quizzes, spelling bees, and reciting words in class. However, incorporating hands-on games can make learning to spell a more engaging and enjoyable experience for writing kids.
When students have a clear goal in mind, such as helping their team win, they are more likely to be motivated to learn. They will try to get the correct spelling of words incidentally. This is because if they hear, see, and use a word frequently, it will become firmly rooted in their memory.
Spelling can be more interesting and entertaining outside the classroom through the use of creative and multisensory activities. While homework is often workbook-based, exploring the world around us can provide fun projects that help children learn to spell. Learning on the go and exploring different environments can be especially engaging and fun.
Words are everywhere, from menus to street signs, film posters, and even t-shirts. Language is all around us. When kids begin to pay attention to the environment, they are more likely to recognize spellings. With time they remember the correct spelling of words through repeated exposure.
Engaging students in their learning is crucial for an effective educational experience. Mixing up teaching methods is essential to ensure students remain attentive during spelling lessons. Below are some activities that can make learning spelling an enjoyable experience;
Rhymes And Raps
Rhymes and raps can help students understand and memorize the spellings. Student engagement will also increase because it will become a fun activity. Incorporating fun rhymes with spelling can help the words stick in students’ minds, like catchy tunes on the radio. With the addition of rhythms and raps, students are more likely to hum them outside of class. It makes them easier to commit to memory. It will be fun to memorize since they will keep humming the spellings like a poem.
Create A Spelling Wall In The Classroom
Using butcher paper in the classroom can help to create a spelling hub. Ask students to make a list of words they have learned on a paper and keep practicing such spellings throughout the week. Extra materials such as colored crayons or markers can be used to draw pictures to associate with the words. Children will gain confidence with this exercise. They will even use the wall before and after the class to write what they have memorized. Children enjoy writing more on the wall or board than on paper.
Make A Fun Crossword
Use crosswords as an opportunity to make learning spelling interesting by engaging students in active learning rather than passive review techniques. Crosswords are excellent for teaching spelling, vocabulary, and reasoning, and they help students think about word definitions. Crosswords also engage different learning styles. Give the crossword to individuals or small groups and encourage collaborative learning. Teachers should hang the completed crosswords in classrooms to show them as students’ accomplishments.
Jumble Word
Spell a word using plastic magnetic letter shapes, scramble the letters into a pile, and have students assemble the word again. As they advance, start with the word jumbled and have them assemble words from a letter pile.
Use of Arts And Crafts
Visual, aural, and kinesthetic learners often learn more when artistic. Instead of using pens and pencils, allow students to use art supplies such as paints, markers, and crayons to spell words. Younger students enjoy using play dough to build each letter of their focus spelling words. With these art supplies, they will become more interested in learning spellings and encouraged to write. Crayons and paints are children’s favorite art supplies.
Create A Game Of Word Bingo
Bingo is a game for interactive and interesting spelling lessons for the entire class. There should be a list of words on the board for the week. Distribute blank bingo cards among students, and ask them to write words not present in the list in each square. Say a word loudly from the list and ask students to tell if they have the same word on their cards. The first student to get to 5 words wins. It’s essential to incentivize a game like spelling bingo to ensure every student is involved.
Word Heads
Play a game of “word heads,” similar to the game “celebrity heads.” Instead of using the names of celebrities, use spelling words. Students must figure out which word they are by asking yes/no questions like “Am I a verb?” or “Do I start with a vowel?” Once they guess the word, they must spell it aloud. “Word heads” encourages collaboration and out-of-the-box thinking.
Build A Word Train
Have students spell words on small cards and assemble them based on certain rules. For instance, the following word must assist in creating a sentence, or the first letter of the next word should be the same as the last letter of the last word.
Conclusion
Most of us are familiar with the concept of spelling, which refers to the ability to arrange a sequence of letters to form a word accurately. However, do we truly understand its significance? Proper spelling skills can significantly enhance a student’s reading and writing abilities. As students acquire spelling proficiency, they develop a relationship between letters and their corresponding sounds, enabling them to sound out new words easily. Furthermore, spelling is a crucial aspect of teaching sight words, which often do not conform to traditional phonics rules. Acquiring the ability to spell words accurately can also enhance comprehension and writing skills.
While the traditional method of copying spelling words might be uninteresting to students, there are several ways to incorporate spelling practice into lesson plans to make them more engaging and meaningful. Conclusively, various methods to teach students spelling give them a chance to be creative and participate in class activities. Experiment with these games, and even create your own, to discover which works best for your students.
