Spelling and Vocabulary Ideas

You can use the following list of spelling and vocabulary lesson ideas in many other subject areas for grades prekindergarten - high school. Print out this list and keep it handy. Try a different one each time.

Adjust the lessons as needed. Try these ideas with science vocabulary words and historical dates. If you have a great idea contact us and I'll add it to the list.

1. List vocabulary words on the left hand side of a page and write definitions on the right side. V

2. Cut a piece of cardboard about the size of a compact disc case and a long piece of yarn. Make one slit in the cardboard along both sides for each vocabulary word. Write a definition on one side and the word on the other. Thread the yarn to match the word to definition. V, K

3. Say the definitions aloud or spelling words aloud into a tape recorder, to yourself, or to another person. A

4. Write words on index cards and place the cards on the floor. Jump to each card when the teacher says the definition, say the definition when you land on the card, or pick up the word cards and place them on the definition card. A, K

Alternative: Write one word on one side and the definition on the other side; when you land near a card, flip it over and say the definition. For spelling, stand on the card and spell the word aloud. V, A, K
(Make a path leading to a treat or reward.)

5. Write antonyms and synonyms for the words. V
Shout out antonyms and synonyms for the words. A

6. Write the words in present, future, and past tense. V
Write the words backwards, diagonally, in a circle, in the tiniest letters possible, etc.

7. Use a dictionary or computer to look up the definition of the words. V
Find and use different size dictionaries, such as pocket, over-sized, and thin, and then compare definitions. V, K

10. Place 20 - 50 vocabulary words face down on the table and randomly choose 10 and write a story, poem, skit, or lyrics. V
Read aloud. A
Act (the story, poem, skit, or lyrics) out. K

11. Write a secret code for every letter in the alphabet and then write your spelling words. V
Ask another person to solve your coded words. V

13. Fold a paper into eight sections, then unfold; on the top of each rectangular box write a vocabulary word, on the bottom write a definition of the word. Write a sentence and draw a picture representing the sentence. V
Pick a square from the folded paper activity and act the sentence out using sounds and objects. A, K

14. Cut out letters from magazines, newspapers, brochures, catalogs, etc. and use the letters to form spelling words. V, K

15. Look up the word origin of different words. V
Explain aloud your findings. A
(extension: locate the countries of origin on an atlas)

16. Write a paragraph with the words. V
Recite the paragraph. A
Act out the paragraph. K

17. Play hangman using your spelling words. V
Play hangman and ring a buzzer when you miss a letter and ring a bell when the letter is correct. A
Play hangman and jump when the letter is wrong, clap when the letter is correct. K
Here is a fun monster walking the plank, "hangman" type of game.
18. Fold a construction paper into a fan shape. Write a word inside of the lines, write a definition on the other side. V
Say a word aloud and fan yourself. A, K

20. Make a memory match game with index cards. Write each word twice and place the cards face down or write a definition on one card and vocabulary word on the other and find the pairs.V

21. Make a poster with words and symbols for the words and stand up and share the poster with someone. V, A, K

23. Write each word five times each. V
Say word five times each. A
Say word while walking five times each. K
(extension: place the numbers 1-10 on paper strips in a bowl. For each word draw a number. Write the spelling word the number of times on the paper)

26. Throw a soft ball or stuffed animal in the air for vowels, hold the ball for consonants while spelling the word aloud. A, K
(My son loves this one)

27. Sing "Bingo" and substitute the letters. A
e.g. "There was a word I read today and "Paper" was its name- O. P-A-P-E-R."

29. Alphabetize the words on paper. V
Alphabetize the words on index cards at the table.
Alphabetize the cards across the floor. K

31. Scramble the letters of the words. V
Ask another person to unscramble the words.
Cut out each letter of the word and reorganize. V, K

33. Hide the words around the house or yard, and spell the word or say the definition when you find them. K, A

34. Tape words on a door, knock on the right word when given a definition or asked to spell the word aloud. V, A, K

36. Write rainbow letters: vowel one color, consonants another or alternate every other letter. Leave the vowels out. Leave the consonants out. Remove one letter and ask a younger sibling or parent to guess the letter missing. V, A

37. Write the word in red, trace over the word in yellow, trace over again in blue. V

38. Write in shaving cream, whipped cream, frosting, flour, water in sand, etc.K

39. Use the leaders in the word to make new words: "Stealthily" = health, steal, hill. V

40. Jump rope, skip, trampoline, break dance, twirl, slither, etc. while reciting the words. A, K

41. Paint, watercolor, playdough, glitter, or glue the words. Use glue and colored sand to make the words. K

44. Hang a string across a doorway, hook on words to paperclips and slide the word across as you announce the word. A, K

45. Use a tile floor or chalk squares and jump in each square when you say a word aloud. A, K

47. Write a friend a letter using as many words as possible. V(extension: include a secret coded letter)

49. Line up a domino for every word you say correctly in spelling or definition and push the dominoes down when you are done. A, K

50. Shuffle a deck of cards. Pick a card. Find a word with that many letters, if you can. Worth 1 point. Can't find a word. Minus 1 point. Reshuffle and take turns. K(use dice, spinner, etc.)

51. Link, stack, line up blocks, unifix cubes, toothpicks, rocks etc. for each letter in a word. Alternate colors or objects for vowels/consonants. K

54. Make a board game with squares. If you spell or guess the definition move forward, if you miss move back. V, A, K

55. Write several action cards with words, such as hop backwards, run in place, skip, dance, slither. Draw a card and spell the word or say the definition while performing the action.K

56. Have a partner place a post-it (or paper with tape) on child's back with a vocabulary word or spelling word. Don't look at the word. Ask your partner yes/no questions about the word: "Is it in the first part of the alphabet?" "Is it a noun?" "Does it have two syllables?" Try to guess the word by looking at a list of words. Repeat with other person. A, V

57. Make paper chains with one spelling word on each slip of paper and connect the papers. Alternate colors. V, K

58. Make up a rap song that rhymes using the spelling words and do a dance to go with the song. Make up a cheer. A, K

59. Write your spelling words on one piece of paper using different mediums, such as watercolor, markers and colored pencil. V, K

60. Try to spell the words aloud backwards. Try to alphabetize the words backwards. Try to stand upside down and say your words. Walk backwards, crawl backwards, etc. A(extension: have a backwards day. Wear backwards clothes, follow a backward schedule, eat dinner for breakfast, write from the bottom of the paper upwards)

61. Put all the words in a hat. Draw the words one at a time and spell the word or say the definition. A, K

62. Type the words on a computer. Use different colored fonts. Enlarge the words. Send your list to a relative. V

64. Say the words in a whisper, then a low voice, then an average voice, and then as loud as you can. A
Move low to the ground and than higher to match the level of your voice.

65. Turn a full circle for every letter in the spelling word. Say the letter, turn, stop, say the letter, turn, stop, and repeat. K

66. Look for your vocabulary words and spelling words in the book you are reading and write down what page you found the word on. Find words for for the next lesson in your book. V

68. Place the words on the floor. Toss a bean bag or balled up sock at the words. Spell or give a definition for the word the bag lands on. A, K

70. Crumple up paper with a word on each piece of paper. Have a snowball fight with all of the paper with one person on one side of the room and a partner on the other. Throw the paper at each other. When the time is up collect and open the paper. Read the words together. A, K

More:71. Use a non-dominant hand to write the words. Try your toes. Close your eyes. Close one eye. Wear a ski glove. Use a miniature golf pencil. A, K (ciampi)

72. Write the words in one long row across a large piece of paper or outdoors in chalk. Estimate the letters, then count the letters. V, K (ciampi)

73. Write the words with paint in the bathtub or shaving cream in the shower. K (ciampi)

SBI!