Some Different Ways to Practice Spelling or Sight Words

1. "Trace, Copy and Recall"

Make a chart like this with 3 or four spelling words you want to learn:

Trace Copy Recall

Then fold over the "recall" part so that only the first two columns show:

Trace Copy

WORD

Then

¨ Say the word to yourself.

¨ Trace it in the first column, saying the letters as you trace, and say

¨ the word again. You might put a little rhythm into it. ("WORD . W - pause - O - pause R-D - WORD!).

¨ Go to the second column, say the word, and write it the same way.

¨ Then, while the rhythm and the sound and the feeling are fresh in your mind, flip the paper over and say the word and spell it out -- the same way, saying each letter (because, after all, practice makes permanent).

¨ If it’s a hard word, put it on the list more than once. If you’re feeling particularly smart, trace and copy TWO words, and try to remember them both before you flip the page over. However, if your short-term memory isn’t big enough to hold all that, do one at a time because you want to practice the words RIGHT, not make guesses!

¨ After you’ve done all the words this way a few times, start doing them two or three at a time, and when you feel like you know them, do the list again -- but skip the tracing, or, when you’re feeling VERY confident, skip the tracing and the copying both.

2. Reverse chaining by letter

¨ Say the word. Then write it out, saying each letter see number one about putting rhythm into it). W - O - R - D

¨ Skip a line and say it and write it again -- minus the last letter. Say the last letter, but don’t write it. W - O - R - ____

¨ Skip a line and say it and write it again -- minus the last two letters. Say them, but don’t write them. W - O - ___ ____

¨ Do that until you’re only writing one letter.

¨ Go back to the top. Read the word, then spell it out loud.

¨ Fold the page over so you can’t see the whole word. Say the word, spell it, and add that last letter.

¨ Fold the page back again. Say the word, spell it, and add the last two letters.

¨ Keep going until you spell the whole word.

¨ GO BACK AND CHECK -- make sure you didn’t leave out a letter!

3. Reverse chaining by syllable this is harder, for longer words)

¨ Say the word, then write it out, saying each letter (see number one about putting rhythm into it). S-E-P-A-R-A-T-E

¨ Skip a line and say it and write it again -- minus the last syllable. Say the last syllable and spell it out loud, but don’t write it. S-E-P-A-______________

¨ Continue until you aren’t writing anything -- but still say the spelling out loud.

¨ Go back to the top. Read the word, then spell it out loud.

¨ Fold the page over so you can’t see the whole word. Say the word, spell it, and add the last syllable.

¨ Fold the page back again. Say the word, spell it, and add the last two syllables.

¨ Continue until you spell the whole word.

¨ GO BACK AND CHECK -- make sure you didn’t leave out any letters!

4. Write each word 5 times.

5. Write the words in ABC order.

6. Write a sentence using each word. Can you write a sentence with two or more spelling words?

7. Illustrate the words.

8. Write the plural of each word.

9. Write the opposite of each word.

10. Create a crossword puzzle using the words.

11. Have someone scramble the words, then you can unscramble them.

12. Take a practice test.

13. Make a word search using the spelling words. Share with your classmates!

14. Write each word on two index cards to play a matching game.

15. Use Scrabble tiles to spell your words. Then add up the score for each word. Which word is worth the most points? The least?

16. Rainbow Words - Write your spelling words with a crayon. Trace over each word again with another color. Now trace each word one more time with another color. Do not use black or brown.

17. Write the words on someone’s back and vice versa.)

18. Write the words in sand, dirt, bubbly bath water, whipped cream, shaving cream, etc..

19. Write the words in the air.

20. Make flashcards to study and review.

21. Modeling clay writing - Flatten the clay and use a pencil to "write" a spelling word in it. Smooth over the clay for the next word.

22. Write the words with colored chalk on black construction paper.

23. Use your spelling words to write sentences.

24. Have Mom or Dad scramble your spelling words for you to unscramble.

25. Cut your spelling words out of a magazine or newspaper.

26. Write your spelling words. In each word color all the short vowels yellow.

27. Color all the long vowels blue. Color all the blends green.

28. Draw pictures of your spelling words.

29. Play a game of Hangman using spelling words.

30. For a real challenge, use the letters of the spelling words to make sentences. For example: "storm" Susan tasted only red marshmallows.

31. Cut a picture from a newspaper or a magazine and use spelling words to write a story about a picture.

32. Use a spray bottle and spray the word onto the sidewalk.

33. Look at a spelling word, say it out loud, cover it up, remember how the word is spelled and write it out. Check your answers.