10 Spelling games to challenge and improve your students skills and abilities.

What is spelling, and is it still important in today's computerized ´Auto-Correct, Spell-Checking´ world? Has our world, with it’s almost daily changing technology replaced the need for accountability, accuracy, and foundation knowledge that was taught to, and expected from previous generations?

Spelling, the art of correctly assembling words from their letters is one of the essential components of successful writing, be it a sentence, a paragraph, a report, a note or a C.V. Being confident at spelling leads to confidence in all aspects of literacy. The ability to recognize the links between words of the same origin and understanding word relationships have been proven to aid comprehension skills.

Research has found that spelling, reading, writing, and comprehension skills are all closely linked. Studies have found that spelling instruction improves reading ability, as it builds a learner’s knowledge of the alphabetic system.

Teaching young learners, the strategies, rules, and concepts to grow their spelling and vocabulary knowledge benefits them in all aspects of their learning, as well as in their everyday life.

Learners who feel confident with letters and word patterns are able to read and comprehend more complex texts. They also have the necessary language tools to better convey their own ideas through both written and verbal communication.

English Grammar and 11 Guidelines for Making it More Understandable.
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The relationship between written words and sounds can seem inconsistent and arbitrary for many learners. But building a strong foundational knowledge of the links between forms, letters, sounds, and meaning is essential for students to become confident communicators.

Below are 10 fun and creative classroom activities and challenges that are guaranteed to help students to learn, practice and master their spelling, and the rules that govern them.

Scrabbler

With almost no preparation necessary, Scrabbler is a fun way for your students to practice spelling words in English. The game consists of a simple set of playing cards or blank cardboard cards with one letter printed or written on the front and back of each card. Starting with any four-letter word, students add one letter at a time on top of one of the original four letters to create a new Word, e.g., ROSE becomes HOSE by laying an “H” card over the “R” card. Modify the rules slightly and take turns going around the table to see if each person can create a new word with each of his turns.

Scrabble Review

If your students are working with a specific spelling or vocabulary list, challenge them to fit all of their spelling words on a Scrabble game board. Each word must connect with one of the other words just like in a regular scrabble game using only the letter tiles which originally came in the game. Students may find it easier as well as more fun if they create their spelling word grid with a partner.

Unscrambled Words

Another activity you can do with a given set of vocabulary words requires two sets of plastic containers with lids. For each container, put the letters to spell a vocabulary word (use letter tiles, plastic letters or whatever you have on hand) and shake to mix. Make one container for each spelling word for each team. Two teams then race relay style, each person opening one container and putting the letters in the right order to make a vocabulary word. The first team to unscramble all of their containers is the winner.

Ping Pong Cups.

For a fun, rainy day activity, set up a grid of cups on a table in your classroom. Each cup should have a letter written on the bottom of it. Students then take turns bouncing a ping-pong ball into the cups. Whatever cup the ball lands in, the player has that letter to use as he tries to spell a word. Students take turns until each person is able to spell a word from the letters they have collected. Either race to see who can spell a word first, or challenge students to make as many words as possible from the letters they earn. Make sure your students spell words with at least three or four letters as you play.

Spelling Bee

A Spelling Bee is a classic spelling game that will help your students spell and review words from their vocabulary lists. Divide your class into two teams and have each team stand along the opposite wall of the classroom. Give one word at a time to each student, alternating teams. If the student spells the word correctly, she goes to the end of the line until her turn comes up again. If she spells the word incorrectly, she sits down. The last team standing wins. This game is a great way to review vocabulary or spelling words before a comprehensive test.

The Great Vowel Search

Make a set of go fish cards using spelling words. For each spelling word, write the word on one card minus the vowels in the word (for example “H—D”). On another card, write the vowels which complete that word (for example, -EA-“). Students play the card game go fish style by matching the spelling word with the vowels it needs to complete the word. You can add cards to the set as you add spelling words throughout the year.

Now You See Him, Now You Don't.

For a team spelling game, draw two stick figures on the board. Each figure should have the same number of parts. The goal is to make your team’s stick man invisible before the other team does. Give each team a word to spell. If they spell it correctly, erase one piece of the stick figure. If they do not spell the word correctly, leave the stick figure unchanged. Then repeat with two new words. The first team to make his man invisible wins!

Magnetic Spelling

Using a magnetic board and a few sets of magnetic letters, which are available in most toy stores, see which player can create the most words in a set amount of time, around five minutes, from his set of letters. After the five minutes is up, check the words, and explain any unfamiliar vocabulary. The person with the highest number of words wins the game.

Word Search

A word search is a fun way for students to review spelling words. Give each person a sheet of graph paper and have him write the spelling words in the grid before filling in the remaining boxes. Have students exchange their word searches and see who can find all the vocabulary words first.

Hopscotch Spelling

For an outside spelling game, have students draw a hopscotch board on the playground. Give each person a word to spell as she jumps through the boxes. If she spells the word wrong, she must repeat that word on her next turn. The first person to get through the entire board wins.