There are many different ways for a child to practice spelling. The most effective ways involve the use of multiple senses (touching, seeing, smelling, hearing and tasting). Be sure to have you child say the spelling of each letter out loud as the practice commences, involving eyes, ears, mouth and hand. Touch is extremely important! I have shared a few proven ideas that may be helpful. Please share any ideas you come up with that others might appreciate, and I'll include them for the rest of the class. Remember to make the practice FUN!
Practice spelling words with different mediums:
* 1/2 inch of salt spread in the bottom of a shoe box (use like an Etch-a-sketch) - spell in the texture of the gritty salt
* soap on the wall of the bathtub - spell in the slippery bubbles (fragrance enhances the sense of smell)
* pudding on a cookie sheet - spell in the thick, sticky pudding and taste licks between each word
* Shaving cream on the counter or table - spell in the foamy texture (fragrance enhances the sense of smell)
* "Three Roll" practice - adult writes a word correctly on a narrow strip of paper (3" or so). Child writes the word correctly 3x (or until confident and quick). The top of the paper then gets rolled over so the spelling word cannot be seen and the child writes the word from memory. He/She checks the spelling to be certain it is accurate. Repeat this process at least 3 more times, rolling the spelling word down so the writing is by visual memory.
* Practice writing the spelling words with both hands at separate times. This will incorporate both the right and the left side of the brain! AMAZING!
* Have your child do a jumping jack with each letter of the words they practice.
* Spell with a stick, outside in the sand or snow.
Throughout the year, children will be working on spelling from their own unique and developmental levels. Practice at home can, and will, make an enormous difference in your children's abilities to spell, read and write!
Practice spelling words with different mediums:
* 1/2 inch of salt spread in the bottom of a shoe box (use like an Etch-a-sketch) - spell in the texture of the gritty salt
* soap on the wall of the bathtub - spell in the slippery bubbles (fragrance enhances the sense of smell)
* pudding on a cookie sheet - spell in the thick, sticky pudding and taste licks between each word
* Shaving cream on the counter or table - spell in the foamy texture (fragrance enhances the sense of smell)
* "Three Roll" practice - adult writes a word correctly on a narrow strip of paper (3" or so). Child writes the word correctly 3x (or until confident and quick). The top of the paper then gets rolled over so the spelling word cannot be seen and the child writes the word from memory. He/She checks the spelling to be certain it is accurate. Repeat this process at least 3 more times, rolling the spelling word down so the writing is by visual memory.
* Practice writing the spelling words with both hands at separate times. This will incorporate both the right and the left side of the brain! AMAZING!
* Have your child do a jumping jack with each letter of the words they practice.
* Spell with a stick, outside in the sand or snow.
Throughout the year, children will be working on spelling from their own unique and developmental levels. Practice at home can, and will, make an enormous difference in your children's abilities to spell, read and write!