Download Word Games/Activities

Word Activities
Most activities should focus on the weekly words for at least five minutes.
If time allows, then use additional words and games. Remember to date
your Homework Journal each night you use it. The more time spent
practicing, the better speller and reader you will become!
Writing (Use Homework Journal to record work):

Unscramble: Parents write down some letters for a word out of order and the
player can make the word. (eth = the)

Add-A-Letter/Stairsteps: The first player says a letter, and other players take
turns adding letters to form a word. Play stops when a word is finished, and the
next player starts with a new letter.
s
sp
spe
spel
spell
spelli
spellin
spelling

Spell That Tune: Players can listen to the radio and find a song or use a familiar
song. Player hums the song and the remaining players name that tune by
spelling out the title of the song or a word from the title of the song.

Hangman: Think of a word. Write the number of dashes of letters in the word.
Player guesses a letter. If it’s in the word, write it above the dash; if it isn’t, start
drawing parts of the hangman (head, body, arm, etc.) The game is over when
the player correctly guesses the word or the hangman is complete.

Mind Reader: Think of a word. Give a clue to the player. The player guesses
by saying, writing and spelling the word. Give another clue to the player. (For
example: Word = sun; Clue 1: This word has 3 letters. Clue 2: It is hot. Clue 3: It
begins with the letter s. Clue 4: It rhymes with bun.)

Rainbow: Write words using many colors.

Memory: Spell words from memory. Check the words and spell them again.
1

Sentences: Write a sentence containing one or more of the words. Parents
may also dictate sentences containing several words from the list.

Rhyme Time: Pick a word with a star next to it. Write a word or several words
that rhyme with it.

Word Shapes: Write each letter of the word in boxes (3 boxes vertically). Using
one color, lightly color the letter boxes to show the word shape. Then rewrite
the word next to it. You can use the homework journal to make word shapes or
use the form available online at www.cherylsigmon.com/pdf/WordShapes.pdf

WORDO: Draw a bingo chart. Have child write or copy words to fill in the
bingo chart. Parent calls out word.
Speaking:

Find-A-Label: Around the house, in the car or while shopping, players find and
correctly spell a word. Parents can help guide this game by suggesting words
likely to be spotted such as stop, milk, etc.

Add-A-Letter/Stairsteps: The first player says a letter, and other players take
turns adding letters to form a word. Play stops when a word is finished, and the
next player starts with a new letter.
s
sp
spe
spel
spell
spelli
spellin
spelling

Spell That Tune: Players can listen to the radio and find a song or use a familiar
song. Player hums the song and the remaining players name that tune by
spelling out the title of the song or a word from the title of the song.

Sentences: Say a sentence containing one or more of the words. Parents may
also say a sentence and the child has to guess which word was used.

Read and Tally: Copy several words and go look for them around the house.
Each time you see one of your words, say it out loud and make a tally mark
next to it.

Chanting and Cheering: Pick a word and say its chant or cheer.
2

Rhyme Time: Pick a word with a star next to it. Say a word or several words
that rhyme with it.

Find the Word Wall Word (Use portable word wall):
1. Find a word that ends with a vowel. Now spell it out loud.
2. Find a word that begins with a vowel. Now spell it out loud.
3. Find a word that begins with a consonant. Now spell it out loud.
4. Find a word that ends with a consonant. Now spell it out loud.
5. Find two words that have the same vowel sound. Now spell both out loud.
6. Parents spell a word; child finds the word and says it. Now spell it out loud.
7. Repeat as desired.

Memory: Create two cards for each word. Place the cards face down in a
mixed up order. Child picks up one card and says it. Child then picks up
another card and says it. If the two match, then he / she may keep the cards.
Phonics (Use Homework Journal to record work):

Word Find: Cut words from magazines or newspapers to identify Word Wall
words, make sentences or find rhymes.

Missing Letter: Write a word but leave out a letter. Player guesses letter and
correct word. When ready, remove 2 letters.

Making Words: Parents choose any long word and tells the child the letters.
Child has to create additional words using these letters. At the end of the
game, the child can guess the secret word.

Name That Thing: Child chooses anything in the house. Try to spell it the best
you can. Have parent check and correct if necessary. Then write it again.

Picture Find: Use a magazine or newspaper.
1. Cut out pictures that begin or end with a certain letter. Spell the word next
to the picture.
2. Cut out pictures that have the same vowel sound. Spell the word next to
the picture.
3. Cut out pictures that rhyme with each other. Spell the words next to the
pictures.
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