Taking the time to review spelling Word Cards is an important part of your child’s day, but sometimes it just doesn’t seem “exciting.” But as we all know, review is what makes learning stick. The more kids review what they have learned, the more they will remember.
In fact, regular review is such an important part of learning to spell that every lesson in All About Spelling includes a review of previously taught skills.
As with any daily task, review can get boring at times. And when review begins to feel like drudgery, it can lose its effectiveness.
As a teacher, that’s the last thing you want!
When schoolwork is fun, it is more motivating for kids, but figuring out ways to cultivate fun can seem like more work for Mom and Dad. But in the case of reviewing spelling Word Cards, it may not be as difficult as you think.
10 Great Ways to Review Spelling Word Cards
We have some pretty amazing moms and dads out there using All About Spelling with their kids, and they have shared some great Word Card review ideas that definitely increase the fun factor of review time. And most of these ideas require minimal effort for parents.
Spell with Letter Tiles
Reviewing Word Cards can get tedious, but you can make spelling review more fun by using Bananagrams® or Scrabble® letters to spell words. It may take a bit longer, but most kids don’t mind the extra time when you can make review seem more like a game.
(Shared by @stefmlayton via Instagram.)
Work on Spelling and Fine Motor Skills
Fidgety kids often benefit from keeping their hands busy as they complete their schoolwork. But with this idea, it’s actually the schoolwork that will keep their hands busy! Have your child practice his spelling Word Cards by threading letter beads onto pipe cleaners to spell the words. It’s perfect for hands-on learners!
Take Your Spelling for a Drive
Draw rectangles on the driveway or sidewalk with chalk. Have your child “drive” (or skate, ride, walk, hop, etc.) to a rectangle. Read the first word from a stack of review cards, and have your child write the word in the rectangle. Keep “driving” and spelling until you complete the entire stack of Word Cards!
Make It Fun!
When you spell your words in shaving cream, it’s tons of fun! Just spread a thick layer of shaving cream on a tray or another flat, washable surface. Dictate a word to your child and have her write the word in the shaving cream. After this, your kids might beg to review their Word Cards!
(Shared by @adventures_of_a_healthy_mama via Instagram.)
Write on the Sidewalk (with a twist!)
Just mix a little bit of dish detergent and water and you’ve got the perfect solution for turning a slab of concrete into a writing canvas! “Suds” up your sidewalk, then read your child’s words. Have him finger-write each word on his soapy canvas. The words are easy to “erase,” and your canvas can easily be recharged with a bit more soap and water. (Shared by Shawna at Not the Former Things.)
Go “Old School”
Grab an old typewriter at a yard sale or resale shop and let your vintage spelling review session begin! You read the words and your child types them. And as an added bonus, when your child is done with the review session, she’ll have her very own study sheet to take with her!
Motivate with Alphabet Cereal
What do you do when your child is hungry but you’re still in the middle of a spelling lesson? You grab a box of alphabet cereal and keep right on going! Read a word from your child’s Word Cards and have him spell the word with cereal letters. If he spells the word correctly, he gets to eat the letters. If he spells it incorrectly, mom gets to eat them. Now that’s some tasty motivation!
Reward with Screen Time
Take advantage of your child’s interest in electronics, and break out the tablet during spelling review. Read the words from your child’s Word Cards and let him type the words on the tablet. He’ll get some great review time in, but as an added bonus, he’ll get a bit of extra typing practice too!
(Shared by @craftynotcreative via Instagram.)
Use Scratch-Off Paper
Make spelling review colorful with rainbow scratch-off paper! You can easily create your own scratch-off paper at home. Cover white card stock with fun, colorful patterns using wax crayons then paint the entire page with black acrylic paint. Grab a wooden stick or toothpick and start spelling! This project can double as spelling AND art class if you let your child do the creating!
Create a Sensory Spelling Tray
Pour some salt or sand in a shallow pan to create a fun sensory spelling tray! Your child can write his spelling words using his finger, a wooden stick, or a pencil. Want to take your sensory tray to a whole new level? Add some color and fragrance! With some creativity, you can combine different extracts for aromatic results. Sniff out 10 scented salt tray recipes in this free download.
Want More?
Be sure to check out our Something Fishy review book! It includes 16 full-color activities, designed to help students review reading and spelling words in fun and engaging ways.
And if you’re looking for similar ideas to use when reviewing your child’s reading Word Cards, check out 12 Great Ways to Review Reading Word Cards.
Spelling Review Tips Recommended by Our Readers
- Say a word. Have your child repeat the word and then run across the room to the white board. Have him spell the word, then run back for the next word. (Recommended by Jenny H.)
- Spell words in a plate or pan full of rice. (Shared by @studioregency on Instagram)
- Say a word. Have your child repeat the word and spell it on the white board. If he spells it correctly, he gets to draw an illustration for the word. (Recommended by @niconicolita on Instagram)
- Play hopscotch with your spelling words. Add letters to each square and have your child hop to each letter as she spells the word out loud. (Recommended by Suzanne W. via Facebook)
- Give your child a word. Let him write it on a window using a Crayola washable marker or Expo dry erase marker. (Recommended by Tracy via blog comment)
- Host a spelling bee . . . with stuffed animals! (Recommended by K. Smith via blog comment)
- Play spelling tic-tac-toe. If your child spells their word correctly they get to claim a space. If they misspell it, the other person can steal the space by correctly spelling the word. (Recommended by Jeanine via blog comment.)
- To recreate the experience of typing on a real typewriter, use the Hanx Writer iPad app. And here’s one that’s available for Android. (Recommended by Kristen via blog comment)
- Play “word jumbles.” Write all the letters for the word then have your child put them in the correct order. (Recommended by Michelle via blog comment)
- Use a dry erase marker on the bathroom mirror. Review spelling words after brushing teeth in the morning and leave them on the mirror all day. (Recommended by Robin R. via blog comment)
- Make a “road” of upside-down Word Cards. Roll the dice and drive a little car (or another type of marker) down the appropriate number of cards. Mom turns over the card and reads the word and child spells the word. If spelled correctly, the card is placed right-side up. Keep going until all the cards have been spelled correctly. (Recommended by Linda via blog comment)
- For a physical activity I would create a maze of letters on my tile floor. The kids had to spell the words by stepping on the letters to get through the maze. (Recommended by Cindy S. via Facebook)
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