How to Make Spelling Homework Fun

Starting in first grade, most children have spelling homework that requires them to learn several words in time for an end-of-the-week spelling test. However, many children aren't interested in simply writing each word three times. Get your child excited to practice writing those boring spelling words with these easy and entertaining methods. Read on to learn how.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Lick and learn. Mix up some instant pudding in your child's favorite flavor. Then, spread enough of the pudding on the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch glass baking dish. Every time your child writes a spelling word in the pudding, she gets to lick her finger clean. Have her write each spelling word three times, and 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 1 through 6. The child rolls the dice, and whatever number appears means he has to write the word in the column.
   For example, if column number 4 is "tomato" and your child rolls a 4, then he must write "tomato" in that column. Continue rolling the dice 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 fun 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 each, but each in different colors. Another variation is to choose 6 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 separate 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 of this. For example, have him use one spelling word per sentence or try to use the fewest total sentences possible.

5. Letters and numbers. Have your child translate each spelling word into numbers using the telephone keypad. Make sure they write down the spelling word first, then write 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 their spelling skills without them even realizing it.

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on 12/27/2007 My son would love the pudding trick. I am going to have to give it a go. We could get the after school snack and homework out of the way all in one.