How to Spell for Kids
The English language can be very confusing to children who are just learning to spell. There are many rules to remember, such as "i before e except after c," and even that rule doesn't apply all the time. One way to help beginning spellers is to teach them patterns of spelling. A pattern is a group of letters that makes the same sound in each word, like the double "o" in moon and spoon. Learning these patterns can be fun if you play games like the version of Go Fish from the National Council of Teachers of English and the International Reading Association.
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Things You'll Need
- Pattern word list from your child's teacher or from the National Council of Teachers of English
- 52 blank index cards
- Colored pencils
Instructions
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1
Write each word from your pattern word list on a separate index card in a single color. Under the word, write its definition in a different color. If you are using a list from your child's teacher or created your own list, you may not use all 52 cards.
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2
Explain to the students that this game is similar to the Go Fish game they might have learned at home. They will have a "Go Fish" pile and will be collecting "sets" of cards. Each "set" in this game includes four words with the same pattern. You can use examples of patterns from the list.
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3
Break your students into groups of four (although this can also be played at home with mom and dad). Explain that the object of the game is to collect a set of four cards with the same pattern. Each set is worth four points. If a player can also spell the words to the other players, he will earn an additional point per correct spelling. The player with the most points at the end of the game wins.
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4
Start playing after all the players understand the rules. Choose a dealer or have the students choose a dealer. The dealer will also keep score. The dealer passes out five cards to each player. The rest of the cards become the "Go Fish" pile in the middle.
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Begin with the student to the left of the dealer. The student asks for another word in one of the patterns he has a card for. For example, if the student has the word "dream" in his hand, he can ask another student for another word with the "ea" pattern, such as "stream." If the player gets the word he asks for, he can ask another player for another word card in the pattern. If the student is told to "Go Fish," he pulls a card from the pile in the center. Unless he gets a card with his pattern, play moves to the next player.
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Complete a set by collecting four words with the same pattern and earning four points. The student shows the set to the other gamers. Then he reads the words and their definitions. The player then gives the spelling pattern rule for his set. After turning over the set so he cannot see the cards, the player gets a chance to spell each word for an additional point per word. Each set can be worth up to eight points.
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End play when all the sets are completed and the dealer adds up all the points to declare a winner.
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