Fun Ways to Help Your Children Study Their Spelling Words

Let's face it, the traditional methods of practicing spelling words can be tedious. Tedious soon become boring, and boring even sooner becomes ineffective. Keep your child's interest in practicing spelling high by applying one of these simple techniques:

Change the Medium

Looking at a list of words to learn spelling doesn't work, your children have to actually practice spelling the words so they can see how the words look in their own handwriting and hear the word spelled in their mind's internal voice ("science is spelled s-c-i-e-n-c-e, science"). But any kid will tell you that it is the writing of their words week after week with a number two pencil on lined binder paper that can get tedious. But all children love experimenting with a new art medium. So, change things up and inspire your child's inner speller by providing a new medium for your child to practice with each month.

September: Markers on giant art easel paper

October: White crayon, colored pencil, or chalk on large black construction paper

November: Dry erase markers on the bathroom mirror or a large window (If your child's teacher needs evidence of your child's practice, take a digital picture and e-mail her or print up a copy to send to school in your child's homework folder.)

December: Rubber alphabet stamps on paper

January: Gel pens on black construction paper

February: Glitter glue pens on construction paper

March: Calligraphy pens on regular paper

April: Permanent marker on a colorful piece of wrapping paper

May: Sidewalk chalk on your sidewalk (See November's hint)

Host your own Scripps Spelling Bee

On Thursday, line up your kids in the living room and collect their spelling lists and quiz them. Have them respond verbally, in the traditional spelling bee format ("right, r-i-g-h-t, right") If they get all of their words right, they get a prize. If they don't, have them write the missed words ten times and come back later to try again. Once all the words are spelled right, they get a prize, too.

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