Spelling
We use Jolly Grammar 1 and 2. These follow on from Jolly Phonics. Each week students are given a list of words. They usually include some revision words and words that follow a particular rule. During the week we do a number of activities related to these words. At the end of the week we have a dictation to test our knowledge. We usually have six words and three sentences.Each night students should use the multi-sensory spelling approach to practice their words. (See the information on this on the appropriate page). The idea behind the multi-sensory approach is that it helps ‘put’ the words into different memory storage places. Eg. writing the word in the air using large letters puts the word into the ‘motor memory’. If you can’t remember how to spell the word you might be able to write it in the air automatically if you have practiced this
Here are some ideas for practicing spelling words at home:
- Write your spelling words in the dirt with a stick.
- Write your spelling words in alphabetical order.
- Find dictionary definitions for your spelling words.
- Write your words in special pens like gel pens or glitter pens.
- Write your spelling words in crayon or pen.
- Write each consonant in red and each vowel in blue.
- Write the words and underline all of the silent letters.
- Print each word. Next to it, write the word in a different font.
- Make a set of flashcards for learning your words.
- Write each spelling word in a rainbow of colors. First, write the words in red. Trace over the words in blue. Keep tracing until you have used all of your coloured pencils.
- Ask your parent or brother/sister to write your words with all the letters scrambled up. Then unjumble them.
- Write each spelling word. Next to each word, write other words that can be spelt using the same letters. Eg. the word little can be used to make the words lit, tile, let, and tell.
- Write your spelling words in secret code. (Where a=1, b=2 etc) Challenge your parents or brother or sister to use the code to decode each word. Correct their work. Example: glad= 7-12-1-4
- Use each spelling word in an interesting sentence. Remember capital letters and full stops.
- Ask your parents or brother or sister to give you a practice test.
- Paint your words on an outside wall with water.
- Write your spelling words on cards (make two sets) and play “Memory Match” or “Go fish” with them.
- Write a mnemonic sentence to help you remember each of your spelling words. Each letter of the word should start a word in the sentence. For example, a mnemonic sentence for the word throw might be Ted has rented one wheelbarrow.
- Make and complete a word search using www.puzzlemaker.com
- Write your spelling words with pebbles or grains of rice.
- Cut out letters from newspapers or magazines. Use the letters to spell your spelling words.
- You could also visit http://www.spellingcity.com/ for lots of online games that you can do with your own list words.
