How to Make Spelling Homework Fun

A six-sided die would make this spelling practice much more fun.

Starting in first grade, most children have spelling homework that requires them to learn several words in time for a spelling test at the end of the week. But many children aren't interested in simply writing each word three times. Get your child excited to practice writing those boring spelling words with unusual and entertaining methods. Use a different method each week so that practicing spelling words becomes an anticipated event.

Things You'll Need

• Instant pudding
• Glass baking dish
• Six sided-die
• Paper
• Pencil
• Colored pencils or glitter pens

Instructions

1. Lick and learn. Mix up some instant pudding in your child's favorite flavor. Spread enough of the pudding on the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch glass baking dish to cover it. Have your child practice writing a spelling word with her finger in the pudding. Every time she writes it correctly, she gets to lick her finger clean. Have her write each spelling word three times before moving on to the next word. Add pudding as needed.

2. Spelling dice game. Choose six spelling words and draw six columns on a piece of paper. Each word should appear at the top of a column, numbered one through six. Have your child roll a die, and whatever number appears, he has to write the corresponding word in the column. For example, if column number four is "tomato" and your child rolls a four, then he must write "tomato" in that column. Continue rolling the die and writing words until one of the columns reaches 10 entries. That column is the winner. Repeat with as many spelling words as needed.

3. Rainbow review. Purchase some colored pencils or glitter pens in different colors. Have your child write her spelling words two times each, using one color for vowels and another color for consonants. Vary this exercise by having her write her spelling words three times, but each time in a different color. Another variation is to choose six spelling words. Have her write the first word in an arch shape in one color, then add the next word in an arch right above the first, in a different color. Continue until she has made a spelling word rainbow.

4. Storytelling. If your child likes to write, have him create a short story that contains each one of the spelling words. Depending on his age and ability, you can vary the difficulty. For example, have him use one spelling word per sentence or try to use the most words possible in the fewest sentences.

5. Letters and numbers. Have your child translate each spelling word into numbers using the telephone keypad. Make sure she writes down the spelling word first, then writes down its number. For example, the word "fireman" would become "3473626."

Tips & Warnings

• The best spelling practice activities are the ones that allow the child to review the words one letter at a time and then see the word written all together. Making this drilling fun can increase children's spelling skills without them even realizing it.