Learning how to spell is a fact of life. It can be difficult for many kids and come easy to some. In any case, make it meaningful and fun by offering some hands-on activities. Here are a few to get you and your students going…

• ABC Order-Words are written in alphabetical order
• Reverse Order-Words are written in alphabetical order, but backwards
• Backwards Words-Words are written forwards and then backwards
• Clean Words-Words are written in shaving cream on a work surface
• Dirty Words-Words are written with something dirty-mud, sand, soil, etc.
• Gelly Words-Words are written on a small Ziploc bag full of hair gel
• Magnetic Letters-Words are spelled using magnetic letters and a cookie sheet
• Pasta Words-Words are spelled using alphabet pasta
• Picture Words-Pictures are draw and the words are written to label each picture
• Rainbow Words-Words are written in different colors
• Ransom Words-Words are made by cutting out letters from a newspaper and then gluing them on paper
• Silly Sentences-Words are used to make silly sentences
• Stamping Words-Words are spelled using letter stamps and an ink pad
• Story Words-Words are used to make a story
• Word Scramble-Words are given to the student scrambled up and they work with letter tiles to unscramble each word
• Word Searches-Words are used to create a word search puzzle
• Words Without Consonants-Words are written and the consonants are replaced with a symbol
• Words Without Vowels-Words are written and the vowels are replaced with a symbol
• Words-in-Words-Words are written and two words are generated from each spelling word

How to use it:

• Feature one idea each week as a learning center
• Use as a whole group to emphasize phonemic awareness and phonics
• Send a list home of the spelling activities each week and have a parent sign off that the child completed it

A fun way to help students learn their spelling words is to have them create their own word search. Here are a few templates you can print and use.

Word Search 1

This template is for younger students. It has space available for twelve words.

Word Search 2

This template is for older students. It has space available for twenty-one words.

Word Search 3

This template can be used in thematic units to introduce new vocabulary. Instead of writing the words on the blanks, have students write the definition to each word hidden in the puzzle. The searcher’s job will be to read each definition, find the word that matches, and write the word next to its definition on the line.

How to Use It:

Offer this activity as a weekly center or as a challenge for more advanced students. Once students are finished with their word searches, pair students and have them start searching!