Ways to Practice Your Words
American Sign Language
Learn how to spell your words using American Sign Language.
Back to Back
“Write” a word on your partner's back. Can they guess the word? Trade
places—let your partner trace a word from the list on your back. Continue
taking turns tracing and guessing your words.
Checker Words
Write your words on small cards or post-it notes. Place them in each square
on a checker board. Set up the board with red and black checkers and play
according to checkers rules. The exception to the rule? Players must be
able to read each word correctly before they can move their checker onto a
square!
Design It
Create a hidden picture. Draw a picture and hide your words in it. Display
your masterpiece.
Eraser Race
Use the eraser on the end of your pencil to erase each of your words on
pictures in old magazines.
Fishing for Words
Write your words on cards so that you have two cards for each word. Shuffle
the cards. Deal eight cards to each player. Ask your partner for a
particular word. If they do not have it, draw from the remaining stack.
Continue until all cards have been matched. (Go Fish)
Graph It!
Spell each of your words on graph paper. Shade in squares to form the
letters of each of your words. Check each word to make sure it is spelled
correctly.
Hopscotch
Use sidewalk chalk to create a hopscotch grid to create this quick and easy
game. Write a word in each square. The player must be able to read a word
before hopping or jumping into each square.
It's a Match
Write your words on cards so that you have two cards for each word. Spread
the cards face down on the table or floor. Be sure that none are covered
up. Take turns turning over two cards. If you have a pair of matching
cards, keep them turned face up in a pile in front of you. If you do not
turn up a pair, turn the cards face down in that same spot. The game
continues until all cards have been made into pairs. (Concentration)
Jump On It!
Copy your words on index cards (one word per card). Make a second set of the
same words. Scatter one set face up on the floor, leaving about a foot
between each card. Place the other set in a stack facedown. Turn over the
first card in the stack. Have your child read the word (offer help as
needed) and then jump on the corresponding card on the floor. Turn over the
next card and have your child read it and jump to that word. Continue until
your child has jumped on all of the words. Mix up the cards and play again!
Kaleidoscope of Colors
Write each word on paper in big letters. Using different-colored crayons,
trace around the word again and again, reading the word each time. Cut out
the letters. Arrange them in the correct order to spell each word. Paste
them on a black piece of paper.
Letter Tiles
Use letter tiles or magnetic letters to spell out your spelling and sight
words. After you have arranged the letters check to see that you have
spelled it correctly. Cover up each word and try to spell it from memory.
Magnificent Painting
Paint your words. Make them fancy or funny. Hide them in your picture.
Now Hear This!
Tape record the spelling of your words. Say each word and then spell it.
Play the tape back and check the spelling of each word.
One-Two-Three
Classify your words according to syllables.
One syllable Two syllable Three Syllable
cat brother basketball
Puzzle Me This
Write each word on a card. Cut each card in half using a different pattern
or design for each card. Shuffle the pieces and then match each half.
Quiet Practice. NOT!
the, to, of, and, for, go!
Begin reading your words in a whisper. As you go along, gradually increase
the volume until you are shouting the last word.
Race the Clock
How many of your words can you read/spell in a minute?
Sky Writing
Spell out each word using big letters that you print in the air. Quietly
say each letter to yourself as you write it. Check to see that you have
spelled it correctly. If you did not spell it correctly, use an imaginary
eraser to erase and spell it again.
Tic-Tac-Toe
Play Tic-Tac-Toe with a friend or family member. Instead of writing X's and
O's write different spelling and sight words in each square. You'll score
in spelling as well as in Tic-Tac-Toe!
(Each player should use a different color pencil, crayon or marker.)
Undercover Word Detective
Select two or three of your words. Record how many times you can find these
throughout the day.
Very Silly Rhymes
Make a short rhyme for each of your words. Do you see any similarities
between your words and each of the rhyming words?
Words of Clay
Use clay to form the letters of each word. Put the letters in order to
spell the word. Say each letter softly to yourself.
X-Ray Words
On black paper write your words using a white pencil, crayon, or piece of
chalk.
Yarn Art
Glue yarn on pieces of heavy paper so that it spells each of your words.
Close your eyes and have a friend hand you your cards one at a time. Feel
the yarn spelling on each card. Say the word and spell it.
Zany Tongue Twisters
Using the beginning letter of each word, write same-letter sentences. Ask
your family and friends to try to say them three times fast. (Tiny Tommy
tickles twenty-one terribly terrifying tigers.)
Above is a COLLECTION of activities for practicing spelling and sight
words.
I DIDN'T CREATE all of these activities.
I only COLLECTED & ARRANGED them.
