There are many games that practice spelling words. The challenge is to find ones that are effective and differentiated.
NS ELA Outcomes
- 8.3 make language choices to enhance meaning and achieve interesting effects in imaginative writing and other ways of representing
- 10.2 use the conventions of written language in final products
NS ELA Outcomes
- 8.3 make language choices to enhance meaning and achieve interesting effects in imaginative writing and other ways of representing
- 10.2 use the conventions of written language in final products
Vocabulary-Spelling City
This website can be used for free and without an account. Students can search for common word lists or enter their own. They will have access to about half of games and activities.
For a yearly fee of $1.95 per student, more games, activities and teacher tools become available. It is a little on the pricey side but it if you want a service that will allow students to progress at their own rates and not be a huge management headache, the cost is worth it. A teacher can create their own lists and assign them to specific students or groups. Quizzes can be assigned and the system corrects and records the information freeing up your planning time.
Overall, the games are simple and engaging. There are a wide variety of games and activities. I do "outlaw" certain games that I find to be less effective for student learning. Because the system is web-based, it is available everywhere that a student can access the internet for students or parents who want to practice at home if they wish. There is also a free app optimized for the iPad.
For a yearly fee of $1.95 per student, more games, activities and teacher tools become available. It is a little on the pricey side but it if you want a service that will allow students to progress at their own rates and not be a huge management headache, the cost is worth it. A teacher can create their own lists and assign them to specific students or groups. Quizzes can be assigned and the system corrects and records the information freeing up your planning time.
Overall, the games are simple and engaging. There are a wide variety of games and activities. I do "outlaw" certain games that I find to be less effective for student learning. Because the system is web-based, it is available everywhere that a student can access the internet for students or parents who want to practice at home if they wish. There is also a free app optimized for the iPad.
Rocket Speller
This app works students through 135 common sight words in five levels. It has a very scaffolded approach. As students show progress, they are able to select the parts to complete a rocket ship to help the little alien character, Zip, get home. Although this app is designed for children from 3-7 years old, it is effective and engaging for students who need this level of differentiation.
The app is free to download. There is also Rocket Speller Plus which is available for $3.49.
The app is free to download. There is also Rocket Speller Plus which is available for $3.49.
kaboom! (syllables)
Possibly The Best Center Game Ever! It is the go-to center for the past few years for anyone who knows it., If Kaboom! is new to you, or it is something you haven't yet tried in your classroom, here are some great reasons to give it a try:
1. It is highly engaging!
2. It lasts for as long as you need it to!
3. It can accommodate nearly ANY content area/targeted skill!
4. It is quick to prep!
5. It costs next to nothing to make!
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Materials:
wide popsicle sticks - Sharpie markers
Set Up:
Use a sharpie to write words on one end of the stick. Write "kaboom" on a few sticks. The ratio of kabooms can vary (1:3 or 1:5). Store them in a can or some other container that the kids can't see through. Put all of the popsicle sticks in face down so students can't see what is written on them.
Procedure:
1. First student pulls out a popsicle stick.
2. The student identifies the number of syllables in the word written on the stick. If their answer is correct (determined by either a reference sheet or their peers) they get to keep the popsicle stick. If they answer it incorrectly, the stick must go back in the cup.
3. The students continue around the circle, selecting one popsicle stick at a time and answering their question.
4. Any student who pulls a KABOOM! stick has to place all of the popsicle sticks they have accumulated back into the cup, leaving them with zero. (It may sound harsh, but it happens OFTEN, so all students will at some point get "Kaboomed!"
5. The game NEVER ENDS because eventually someone will get a Kaboom! and their popsicle sticks will go back into the cup to keep the game going.
**This game would be easy to differentiate. There could be different Kaboom! sets at the station for the different word lists currently being used in
the class
wide popsicle sticks - Sharpie markers
Set Up:
Use a sharpie to write words on one end of the stick. Write "kaboom" on a few sticks. The ratio of kabooms can vary (1:3 or 1:5). Store them in a can or some other container that the kids can't see through. Put all of the popsicle sticks in face down so students can't see what is written on them.
Procedure:
1. First student pulls out a popsicle stick.
2. The student identifies the number of syllables in the word written on the stick. If their answer is correct (determined by either a reference sheet or their peers) they get to keep the popsicle stick. If they answer it incorrectly, the stick must go back in the cup.
3. The students continue around the circle, selecting one popsicle stick at a time and answering their question.
4. Any student who pulls a KABOOM! stick has to place all of the popsicle sticks they have accumulated back into the cup, leaving them with zero. (It may sound harsh, but it happens OFTEN, so all students will at some point get "Kaboomed!"
5. The game NEVER ENDS because eventually someone will get a Kaboom! and their popsicle sticks will go back into the cup to keep the game going.
**This game would be easy to differentiate. There could be different Kaboom! sets at the station for the different word lists currently being used in
the class
Bam!
This fast-paced, engaging game can be played for a short or long time. It's easy to create, modify and use.
Materials:
decorated container with the rules on the outside - index cards
Set Up:
Fill with cut up and folded index cards that have all of the spelling words (1 time each), two cards that say "swipe" and two cards that say "BAM!"
Procedure:
Kids sit in a circle and take turns pulling out a folded card. They give it to someone who reads the word aloud. The first student needs to spell it correctly. If they do, they keep the card. They don't, it goes back. A "swipe" card allows students to take a card from another player's pile, if they can spell it correctly they may keep it. A "Bam!" card means all of that player's cards goes back into the jar. At the end of the allotted time, the student with the most cards wins!
Variation:
This could modified for vocabulary practice too. Students would need to explain the meaning of the word that they draw in order to keep it.
decorated container with the rules on the outside - index cards
Set Up:
Fill with cut up and folded index cards that have all of the spelling words (1 time each), two cards that say "swipe" and two cards that say "BAM!"
Procedure:
Kids sit in a circle and take turns pulling out a folded card. They give it to someone who reads the word aloud. The first student needs to spell it correctly. If they do, they keep the card. They don't, it goes back. A "swipe" card allows students to take a card from another player's pile, if they can spell it correctly they may keep it. A "Bam!" card means all of that player's cards goes back into the jar. At the end of the allotted time, the student with the most cards wins!
Variation:
This could modified for vocabulary practice too. Students would need to explain the meaning of the word that they draw in order to keep it.
spell check
This web-based game asks students to identify the misspelled words in list of four. Once identified, the student needs to spell the word correctly. The system will then tell them if the have the correct spelling.
This isn't the most exciting game, but it is effective practice of an important skill.
This isn't the most exciting game, but it is effective practice of an important skill.
Osmo - Words
This iPad based system uses a reflector mirror to allow the iPad to read the area directly in front of it. This allows the user to "play outside of the screen" creating an interactive, self-correcting experience.
The WORDS app and tiles work together to work on spelling individually, collaberatively and competitively. |
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