My class loves working on their spelling words, because I try to keep the activities around spelling fun! (You know we try anything to make the boring stuff engaging). I think there is an important balance between spelling being meaningful and creative for better understanding and to develop better spellers!
I decided to make these templates for my class. There are 5 different sets, so that I can rotate them to keep things interesting. The most important thing for me is for students to recognize the phonics rule for each list I give. What is the pattern? I also want to know that they can break it into syllables, recognize the consonants/vowels, and be able to test themselves. Here is an example of a Monday/Tuesday for the Colored Pencil Weekly.
I decided to have some fun with this. In addition to this Colored Pencil Frenzy, I think categorizing or sorting is an important and meaningful skill as well. Sorting by number of letters, alphabet, syllables, and figuring out which Words I Know versus Words I Need to Practice. An example of this one is below:
There are three more sets of ideas along with this packet (you can click on any of the pictures or find the sets here). Another set includes Artistic Weekly, where students get to finally use those fun materials like highlighters, crayons, markers, etc. to practice their words. There is also a Ordering Frenzy, where students can place their words in ABC Order, and finally, a Team Spelling set, which is so much fun! On Monday, the student will create a word search of their words. Tuesday, their partner gets to do the word search they created! Wednesday, the student creates a Word Scramble, and on Thursday, their partner completes it! This one is much fun. I know what you are thinking… what about the student who forgets/ doesn’t do their homework? I just make a copy of another student’s work and give that to who needs it!
I’m hoping you can share your use with these in your own class and how you made them your own! Happy hunting!
Teacher: AnJolene Martin 