Category: Spelling Practice

Free Reading Activities for Kids: Spelling Memory Game

1/25/2015

by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff

Memory (sometimes called Concentration) is a classic game loved by many - kids and adults alike. Have you ever thought about using it to help teach kids how to read? In our homeschool, I like to get creative with the teaching to keep the kids interested. Here's how to make and play Spelling Memory. Use it as both a fun craft and an interactive learning game.

Materials

poster board
scissors
permanent marker
word list

Making the Game

Parents or teachers can make this game themselves or turn making the game into a fun craft for the kids. Have handy a list of sight words or spelling words for the appropriate level. First cut out even-sized squares from the poster board to write the words on. Once they are all cut out, write each word on two squares. This is so that each word has a match.

Objective

Kids who play this game regularly should be able to quickly recognize and read the words used in the game. Word recognition and reading practice are essential to succeed in reading, spelling, and other academic subjects.

Playing the Game

Playing Spelling Memory is about the same as the classic game, except that there are words instead of pictures. Shuffle all the word cards by placing them on a table or floor face down. This is sometimes referred to as kindergarten shuffle because even small children can participate. Once the cards have been mixed well, line them up next to each other to form an even pattern, such as a square or rectangle. Keep them all face down.

The first player needs to turn over two cards from any two locations. If the cards match, that player keeps those cards as a match. Each time a match is gained, that player takes another turn. This continues until no matches have been made. It is then time to move on to the next player and repeat the process. The game goes on until there are no more matches left. Count each player's matches or cards. Whomever has the highest number is the winner.

Lessons from the Game

Spelling Memory can help teach children their sight or spelling words. Regular word practice is essential to spelling and reading comprehension. Distinguishing whether words are a match or not can help with recognition, thinking skills, and reading practice. The game can be used to practice for tests, enhance skills, or even just for fun.

More Reading Activities on Life Successfully

*I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network

How to Teach Kids Sight or Spelling Words Faster and More Accurately

11/12/2011

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by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer

Are you looking for a simpler and faster way to teach your kids their sight words or spelling words? Kids can get discouraged easily when progress isn't made quickly.

As a former homeschool mom who still plays an active role in teaching the kids, I've developed many learning methods and lesson plans.

When it comes to fully grasping new words, kids need to make the connection in several ways. If they only make the connection to the word in one or two ways, it will be harder for them to learn current and future words. My method for teaching kids spelling and sight words fast comes in several steps.

Step One: Make flashcards of all the words together. Write each word on its own index card in dark lettering. The child can help with this by looking at the words and copying what they see onto the index cards. This helps practice the visual connection, as well as the writing connection.

Step Two: Show one flashcard to the child, clearly pronouncing the word.This triggers an audio-visual connection to the word. Be sure the child is looking at the word as well as listening.

Step Three: Have the child repeat back that same word. This will tell you if the child is listening to you. It also helps with the speech connection. A child needs to be able to say a word properly before truly understanding the way the word should be formed.

Step Four: Have the child write the word. Just seeing, hearing, and saying the word is not enough. A child also needs to know how to write it. This will help with spelling tests and reading & writing in general.

Step Five: Have the child read the word back to you, sounding it out. If the child is reading it back without sounding out the word, it may just be that they are saying it because you just said the word. Take the time to have the child say each sound in the word so that they know how the word is formed.

Step Six: Repeat steps two - five with each word. This same process should be followed with each word, including the easier words. Going through this process helps to give the child a good understanding of how words work, which will help with reading and writing current and future spelling and sight words.

Practice these steps until the child can read and write each word quickly.

I've successfully used this method with more than one child. Let us know in the comments how it worked for you and any tips you may have as well.

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Free Reading Activities for Kids: Spelling Memory Game

How to Teach Kids Sight or Spelling Words Faster and More Accurately

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