Spelling Aerobics
A fun break for older kids is to use spelling aerobics. When spelling a word they reach their hands over their head for a tall letter that when written extends above the line: (b, d, f, h, k, l, t), put hands on hips for middle letters written in between the lines: (a, c, e, i, m, n, o, r, s, u, v, w, x, z), and stretch toward their toes for letters that fall below the lines when written: (g, j, p, q, y). The students love the physical activity.
Example: finally - hands would: up, hips, hips, hips, up, up, toes.
Spell-A-Basket
One game that the students do is to play a game called "Spell-A-Basket." The students are divided into two teams. Each opponent will compete against the opposing component on the opposite team. The teams play two rounds of going to the chalkboard and writing the word (or do this on their whiteboards). The student that writes the word first, and the word is written correct scores at least 1 point.
The second part to the game is that the person that got it correct also gets the opportunity to shoot a pretend basketball into the pretend trashcan "goal." The student can choose from the 3, 2, or 1 point shooting range. If the student doesn't get the ball in the basket, his or her team still receives at least 1 point for spelling the word correctly. The teammates are not allowed to help the students that are spelling the word on the board. If the two students tie, they get a second word to break the the tie. At the end of the second round, the team with the most points, receive a treat. It's usually a pencil, a piece of candy, or etc...
The Invisible Man
First, draw two large "stick-type" figures on the board. Be sure to give each of them the same number of body parts. I draw 13 parts for each: two eyes, two ears, nose, mouth, head, hair, body, two arms, and two legs. I usually make one to be a girl and the other to be a boy (by different hair styles). Divide the class into two teams. If I do the boy/girl figures, I do boys against girls.
Start with team 1--give the first person a spelling wordIf he is correct, he gets to erase a body part from the opponents' figure. Then go to the other team and repeat the procedure. If the word is not properly done, no part is erased. Keep going until one team has totally erased the other's person. Hence, Invisible Man!
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You have the whole class stand up behind their chairs. You begin by saying a spelling word, for example - Exploration.
The first student must say the first letter of the word, the second student the next letter, etc..until the whole word has been spelt. Once the word is spelt, the next student says "Explorer Sparkle" and the student after them must sit down. The aim of the game is to be the last person standing. Students must sit down if they say the incorrect letter.
Usually, I have a time limit of 5 seconds to add to the excitement of the game.
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Get the words and chop them up – students have to formulate the letters eg. sick (-er, -est-, -ick)
Clouds of Spelling Words- The students receive a folded piece of paper and copy the spelling words onto the paper with a word in each block. They then trace the spelling words four times with four different colored crayons. This is a kinesthetic way to practice writing the spelling words.
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Hoopla is a spelling game that will create fun in the classroom. Materials: Hula-Hoop and a toy airplane. Instructions: Divide the class into groups. Choose 2 students from each group to hold the Hula-Hoop. This allows all students to get to participate in the spelling. Students spell a word. If the word is correctly spelled, then the student gets to toss the toy airplane through the Hula-Hoop. Any time the plane goes through the hoop, a point is earned for that team. If the student spells the word incorrectly, he/she goes to the back of their line causing the other team to get a chance. The holders should also get a chance to spell. The game is over whenever you as the teacher chooses. For a challenge play this outside.
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Popcorn spelling – every child is given a letter – the teacher calls a word and the kids have to go up and place their letter down when it is their turn until the word is spelled, then say ‘sound-0ff’