How to Make Spelling Fun – Parent Handout

Many students find spelling to be boring or repetitive, especially those who struggle with their spelling words.  Here is a handout you can give to parents that lists fun and inexpensive ways to practice spelling words with their children.  I guarantee no child will complain about having to study their spelling words with these suggestions, and you will see an increase in spelling ability!

•Look at the word, say the word, try to memorize the letters in the word, write the word from memory, and check to see if you are right.
•Use magnetic letters on a refrigerator or cake pan to spell words.
•Spell words with glue and sprinkle glitter on them or use glitter pens.
•Cut out letters from a newspaper or magazine to spell words.
•Make spelling flashcards – write words on index cards and cut the letters apart to spell.
•Call out spelling words in the car.
•Take a pre-test on Monday to see what words to work on. Don’t forget to review the known words too though!
•Mnemonic Devices – Come up with a saying to remember words – For example: tail – The apple is light.
•Use scrapbook foam letters as a fun tool to study with.
•Write spelling words in bubble letters or another fun way.
•Use ABC Cookie Cutters and play-dough to cut out letters to spell words
•Paint spelling words.
•Use shaving cream to write spelling words.
•Write words in sand.
•Use letter beads from a craft store to write your spelling words (You could even put them on a string, or a screw, which is a great motor skill!)
•Put letters on Legos, rocks, Popsicle sticks, or bottle caps, and put them together to spell your words.
•Got a Magna Doodle? Write your spelling words on it!
•Use Scrabble tiles (add up the points for each word to practice math skills!)
•SpellingCity.com – This site has tons of fun games to play using spelling words.