Independent Spelling activities that can be done with list words

• Whiteboards - practice writing spelling words on small whiteboards.

• Colour Vowels - write your spelling list words with the vowels in one colour and the consonants in a different colour.

• Letter Tiles - use letter tiles to spell out your spelling words. After you have arranged the letters check to see that you have spelled it correctly.

• Step words - write each of your list word in the shape of a staircase. Add one letter each time until you get to the end of the word.

• Rhyme Time - make a short rhyme for each of your words.

• Headlines - cut letters out of newspapers and magazines to spell your words. Paste them on a piece of paper.

• Sand in the Hand - Write each word in sand. After you have written each word, check to see that you have spelled it correctly.

• Tic-Tac-Toe - Play tic-tac-toe with a friend. Instead of writing x and o write different spelling words instead.

• Graph it - spell each of your words on graph paper. Shade in squares to form the letters of each word. Check each word to make sure it is spelled correctly.

• Words of Playdough - Use playdough to form the letters of each word. Put the letters in order to spell the word.

• Let's Talk - Use each word in your conversation sometime during the week. Put a small tick by each word as you use it.

• Word Art - paint your words. Make them fancy or funny.

• Now Hear This - Record the spelling of your words. Say each word and then spell it. Play the recording back and check the spelling of each word.

• Name That Part - Decide what part of speech each of your word is. Then do one of the following for each word. Adjective or adverb: What would you describe with this word? Find at least three things you can describe. Verb: Find an action word. What are the other tenses of the word? Add a suffix or prefix. How does it change the meaning? Noun or Pronoun: Is it a person, place or thing? Is it singular or plural? What would its other forms be?

• Syllable words - Classify your words according to the number of syllables it has.

• Wool Words - Glue wool on pieces of paper so that it spells each of your words. Close your eyes and see if you can read the words by touching the wool.

• Graphic Design - Create a graphic design with your words. With a pencil, lightly outline a design or picture. Outline the perimeter of your design with your spelling words or fill in the interior of your design by writing each spelling words several times.

• Charades - Play charades with your words. Each person chooses a word to act out. The person guessing the word must not only guess the word but spell it correctly. You score one point for guessing the word and one point for spelling it correctly.

• Illustrations - Write your words and illustrate them.

• Tongue Twisters - Use the beginning letter of each word, write same - letter sentences. Have a tongue twister contest.

• Paint with Water - dip a cotton bud in water ad practice spelling the words on a table or chalkboard.

• Peg spelling - write letters on the end of pegs. Students arrange the pegs to make their spelling words, and peg them onto a rope or card.

• Spelling Magic - Get students to write on white paper with a white crayon and then paint over the paper with water paints. Words appear like magic!

• Spelling Puzzles - Write the spelling words on different colours of cardboard. Cut the words apart in a variety of ways. The students then put the puzzle back together to form the spelling words.

• Fishing for Words - Make spelling word flash cards, fold them in half and fasten with a paperclip. The cards are placed in a large bowl (or on the floor). Using a toy fishing pole or a long stick with a magnet on the end of the string, the students go fishing for a words to practice.