Spelling+Practice

Here are some fun and creative way to practice your spelling words at home: ** Write the words in shaving cream! This can be especially fun during bath time. Some toy stores sell colored foam that is perfect for this activity. **
 * Play Hangman **

**Spelling Puzzle: write each letter of a word on a piece of cardboard. Then, cut the letters into puzzle pieces. Allow your child to piece together the letters to spell each word. ** **Write your spelling words on multi-colored index cards. Have your child alphabetize them. Punch holes in them and put them on a ring. Now your child has their very own spelling book! **
 * [[image:http://www.mrsmcdowell.com/images/Garden%20Patch/Bookworms/wormapple_sm.gif width="50" height="60" align="left" caption="external image wormapple_sm.gif"]] Use your spelling words to write and illustrate a story. Don't worry about all of the spelling mistakes if your child is making an effort. Let your child read it to the family. **
 * [[image:http://www.mrsmcdowell.com/images/Garden%20Patch/Bookworms/wormapple_sm.gif width="50" height="60" align="left" caption="external image wormapple_sm.gif"]] Rainbow Write your spelling words. Use red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple crayons or markers to practice writing your words! **
 * [[image:http://www.mrsmcdowell.com/images/Garden%20Patch/Bookworms/wormapple_sm.gif width="50" height="60" align="left" caption="external image wormapple_sm.gif"]] Make a matching game. Write each spelling word on two different index cards. Turn all the cards facedown and have the first player turn over two cards. If they match, the player keeps them. If they don't, the player turns the cards back over and player two begins. **
 * [[image:http://www.mrsmcdowell.com/images/Garden%20Patch/Bookworms/wormapple_sm.gif width="50" height="60" align="left" caption="external image wormapple_sm.gif"]] Have your child illustrate the spelling words. Write each word and then draw a picture beside it to illustrate either the word or what the word means! **
 * [[image:http://www.mrsmcdowell.com/images/Garden%20Patch/Bookworms/wormapple_sm.gif width="50" height="60" align="left" caption="external image wormapple_sm.gif"]] Jump rope while spelling! **


 * [[image:http://www.mrsmcdowell.com/images/Garden%20Patch/Bookworms/wormapple_sm.gif width="50" height="60" align="left" caption="external image wormapple_sm.gif"]] Throw or roll a ball back and forth with a partner. When the person throws the ball, they say the first letter. The person who catches it says the next letter and so forth. Continue until the word has been spelled. **
 * Trace the words in wet sand or dry salt. **
 * Spell words in the car on the way to school. **
 * [[image:http://www.mrsmcdowell.com/images/Garden%20Patch/Bookworms/wormapple_sm.gif width="50" height="60" align="left" caption="external image wormapple_sm.gif"]] Type your spelling words into Microsoft Word, or another program. Let your child chose a special font, put them in columns, or select special graphics to coordinate with the words. Be creative! **


 * Know more fun ways to practice spelling? Email me and I'll add your ideas. **