Interactive Spelling Activities (Page 2 of 4) in pdf

6. SPELLING TENNIS

You may have seen this one on the television programme ‘Hardspell’. Older children really enjoy this one

as it can be quite challenging. Pupils work in trios.

One takes on the role of both ‘reader’ and ‘checker’. The other two pupils spell the word by saying

alternative letters until the whole word is spelt. If a mistake is made, the checker stops the game and

shows them the correct spelling. The word is then spelt again and then put to the bottom of the pile.

Correct words are discarded. Pupils take turns to be the checker.

7. ALPHABETICAL ORDER

Pupils write out their spelling list in alphabetical order. This activity is best used with middle and upper

stage pupils but is particularly effective at making them look closely at the spelling of words that begin

with the same letter eg when learning common words. This could be an individual activity but, as a follow

up activity, pupils could work together to check they both have the same order.

8. MUDDLED LETTERS

Pupils rewrite each of their spelling words in a muddled up fashion eg ‘beautiful’ could be written ‘

befitualu’. It is better if they always put the initial letter in the correct place. This is a great activity,

as pupils have to scrutinise each word to make sure they have got all the correct letters. These muddled

lists are then swapped with someone with same spelling words. Without looking at the correct list, pupils

have to rewrite each word correctly.

9. DICTIONARY RACE

Pupils work in threes using a dictionary each. They take turns to call out one of their spelling words

which is then hidden. The idea is to be the first to locate the word in the dictionary. This not only helps

them to remember how to spell, it is also excellent for practising dictionary skills. You can turn it into a

game by giving them counters to win.

10. SYLLABLES

Working in twos, pupils split their spelling words into syllables eg beau-ti-ful.

Again close attention to details is needed so it helps them to retain more difficult spellings.

11. WORDS WITHIN WORDS

Pupils try to find smaller words inside each of their spelling words without rearranging the letters. Eg

using the word ‘practising’ , you could find – ‘act’ ‘sing’ ‘in’ ‘is’. Set a time limit, say 10 minutes, for

them to work individually to find as many as possible using all their spelling words. Finish off with an oral

feedback session to pull all their suggestions together.

12. SILLY STORY

Working in pairs, pupils write a short story (about a paragraph) using as many of their spelling words as

possible. Again, set a time limit of about 10 minutes. Stories can be shared with another pair or with the

whole class – the stories are usually very silly so children enjoy this activity.

13. KIM’s GAME

This game can be played in groups of 4 to 6. Spelling words are written on cards and laid out on the

one

table. The pupils study the words. They then look away and a nominated person removes

of the

cards. Pupils turn back, look at the remaining cards and have 2 minutes (use an egg timer) to write the

missing word on a whiteboard which they keep hidden. All the guesses are then revealed at the same

time. If they are correct, they win a point, but only if it is spelt correctly!

Interactive Spelling Activities Page 2