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Using all of the Spelling Activities we generated in the group, Avis sat down and came up with a "Spelling Plan" that would span the week. This plan uses any standard word list that you would have, either from a spelling text that you are using at your level, or a curriculum-generated word list that you have prepared. There are some really good ideas in this plan, and I like it because it takes all of the ideas and uses them in a more organized manner. See if there's something that you can use here!


MONDAY'S PLAN

You will need your spelling notebook and a pencil. The spelling words for this week will be posted on the chalk board. We will pronounce each word, discuss its meaning, and note any special tricks to spelling the word. You will need to:

1. Write the word in cursive carefully in your notebook
2. Write a definition you can understand next to it.
3. You may add marks for pronunciation if you need to.

Each Monday's list will be a grade.


TUESDAY'S PLAN

Today you will be broken up into groups of 4. Check the board for your spelling group. Note that each person has a number next to their name. (Some groups may have one more or less than another group.)

The number starts the person off on their job:

• Person 1: will pronounce the word to their group
• Person 2: will spell the word to their group
• Person 3: will give a definition and use it in a sentence
• Person 4: will use the word in a sentence

• Person 2: will give the next new word to the group
• Person 3: will then spell the word
• Person 4: will give a definition
• Person 1: will use it in a sentence

• Person 3: gives pronunciation of the word
• Person 4: spells the word
• Person 1: gives a definition
• Person 2: composes a sentence

Continue rotating jobs for the remainder of the period. Each student should have an opportunity to complete each job at least once.

Groups can also choose to pretest their lists during this time.


WEDNESDAY'S PLAN

Individual Study Day

Today you will be choosing a method for studying your words. Your assignment must equal 20 points for today. You may go over 20 points for extra credit if you wish. When turning your work in, remember it must be in cursive, have the number of the assignment, and the points possible in your heading. Example:

Name
Date
Spelling Assignment #2       10 Points


Choose any of the assignments below to complete your points:

1. Write your words neatly 10 times each     20 points
2. Alphabetize your words    10 points
3. Categorize your words by syllables    10 points
   
   

   1 syllable words	2 syllable words	3 syllable words	4 syllable words
   star	dollar	monitor	navigator

   
   
4. Create your own definitions for the words     15 points
5. Use your words in sentences 8/10 words long    20 points
6. Use your words in a short story    20 points
7. Highlight long vowel sounds, / silent letters    10 points
8. Divide your words into syllables. Try it without a dictionary!     15 points
9. Highlight the root words in your word list    10 points
10. Write your words in color 10 times    25 points
11. Obtain a large sheet of plain paper, divide it into squares or rectangles by folding it carefully. In each square or rectangle, draw a picture to illustrate each word. Label & add shading or color to each illustration    2 pts. per word.
12. Create a word search using all of your words on small graph paper. The more words the better!    20 points
13. Solve a friend's word search    10 points
14. Create a free style poem with your words    15 points
15. "Flap" Study:    15 points
    a. take some paper, (ask for 41/2 x 12 ) and fold it length wise.
    b. On the bottom half write neatly the words that are giving you the most trouble.
    c. Fold the top flap over.
    d. Look at the word, say it to yourself, spell it.
    e. Close the flap and repeat this process. Check by opening the flap. You can do this with partner.
16. Create a crossword puzzle    20 points
17. Solve a friend's crossword puzzle    15 points
18. Print your first and last name in capitals going down the center of a paper. See how many of your spelling words will fit with a letter of your name!    20 points
19. How many word forms can you create using suffixes? Use at least 10 words from your list     25 points
    
    Example: possess, possession, possesses, possessive (dictionaries ok on this one)
    
20. Using your list, how many verbs can you find? Write them in all of their tenses - past, present, future.    25 points

THURSDAY'S PLAN

GAME DAY

Choose one of the following games to play today:

1. Concentration: Ask for some index cards, and neatly write the same spelling word on two different cards. Do this with each spelling word. Mix the cards up and place them word down. First player turns a card up, and then a second card. If they do not match, both cards are turned over. The second person then tries their luck. Continue until a player finds a match, and that person continues until they miss.

2. 10 or 20 Questions. Have your list of words with you. Choose someone to begin the game, and have them choose one of the words silently. Take turns asking a question about the mystery word. If any one guesses the word in 10 tries, it is their turn to choose a word. (number of questions depends on the number of words on the list)

3. MEMORY. Write spelling words either on your white board or the chalkboard. After giving your team time to look at the words, ask them to cover their eyes, and erase one word. Choose someone to identify the missing word and spell it. If they are correct, they get to choose the next word.

4. Spelling Circle. Have your group sit in a circle. Leader starts by pronouncing the word and giving the first letter. Each student in the circle adds a letter till the word is spelled. Next word passes to the next person. If a word is misspelled, it should be repeated.

5. Case of the Missing Vowel. Work in pairs or small groups. Write a sentence with your spelling words and omit the vowels. Give it to a partner to solve.

6. Jumbled Letters. Each student chooses a word from the list, keeping the word secret from the rest of the group. Students then print it neatly on precut paper, (perhaps 2 X 12) Cut the letters apart. One student drops all of his letters in a container, shakes them up, and takes out one letter at a time. The other students jot down each letter as it is chosen. The student who guesses the word first gets the next turn.

7. Backwards Spelling. Have the first student read a word from the spelling list. The next person has to try and spell the word backwards. If that student is correct, he chooses the next word to be spelled backwards. If wrong, the word passes to the next person.

8. Spelling Slates. First student (or teacher) calls out a word. Students write them on slates. If correct, a point is entered in the corner of the slate. (points could go for extra credit)

9. Spelling Basketball or Golf. This could be done with two groups playing each other, or the class divided into teams. Use the wastepaper basket as a basket... or improvise. (If you play golf, golf clubs and a practice cup will work!) When a student spells a word correctly, they stand by a line designated as a 2 or 3 point line. If they make the basket or putt, they score that many points for their team.

10. Sketch and Spell. Sketch and Spell is played like Pictionary. Divide into teams and select one player to go to the board. At the signal, one player goes to the board and within 30 seconds draws clues for the word. If their team guesses the word, that team gets the points. If not, the other team has 10 seconds to see if they can guess what what the word is. This could be played as a class, or with spelling teams.

11. 7-UP. This game is played like the original Head's Up, 7 Up, but with a twist. Before a chosen student may guess who tapped them, they must first spell a word correctly from the weekly list. If they spell the word correctly, they may guess who tapped them. If they do not spell the word correctly, they forfeit the right to guess.

12. BUZZ. Students line up and stay in that order. Choose a vowel, consonant, or one of each. The students spell the words from their weekly list, saying buzz in place of the letter chosen. When the word is spelled correctly, the next person needs to pronounce the word correctly. A student who misses can miss one turn and then come back in.

13. Spelling Bingo. Hand out blank Bingo cards. Read each word and have students write them in the space of their choice. After cards are done, call the spelling words randomly until the first person calls Bingo. The winner must pronounce and spell correctly the words on his card that gave created Bingo. If the words are all spelled correctly, the student wins that round. If the words are spelled incorrectly on the card, the game resumes.

14. TYPEWRITER. (However, now that typewriters are almost obsolete, maybe we should call this the Keyboard Game!) Write a letter of the alphabet on file cards. Write the vowels in red and consonants in black. Give each student a file card with a letter on it. Teacher says a spelling word and students hold up the letters and call out the letter as they hold it up, one at a time, to spell the word.

15. Spelling Relay. Divide class into 2 teams. Line up in two lines facing the chalkboard. The teacher says a spelling word. The first person on each team goes to board and writes only the first letter of the word. Then they go to end of their team's line and the 2nd person goes to board and writes the 2nd letter, etc. If a person makes a mistake, the next person has to correct the mistake and that is his turn. The first team to spell the word correctly, gets a point.


* Teachers could opt to have a class spelling game instead of a final test, or do a class spelling game rather than group games.

Friday .... Final test .... Are you ready?


The above ideas were contributed by:

Louann	Joanne	Chris G	Kathy	Barb	Ellen M	Jan P
Denise F	Tom T	Avis	Denise	Debra P	Cheri G	Paulette R
Donna E	Linda S	Nancy H	Laura C	Judy G.