Bananas for Spelling

Every time we start a new spelling list for my second grader (yeah, we do some of that) I try to stretch my brain for new and exciting ways to make our spelling practice more fun.  Hangman is still winner, even after all these months!  But this week when I was cleaning out one of our dressers I came across our game of Bananagrams, and I thought the little letter tiles would be a fun way to practice our words. 

Yes, I was right!  My 7yo loves all things tiny and shiny.  She's something of a hoarder and loves to keep everything tucked away in small places.  She scavenges while we are out and about and is always coming home with funny little odds and ends.  So the jangling banana bag full of glossy, cute, shiny tiles was very enticing! For everyone!  We'll be doing this again, I'm sure.

Spelling Games and Activities

I am forever looking for new ways to do spelling. The old study-cover-write method sure is boring for all of us.

Here are a few ideas that I have recently gleaned/created and they seem to be working well for us:

1) Use fun foam pre-cut letters to spell your words.
2) Choose a different font for each word and type it out on the computer.
3) Phone spelling: Use a phone keypad to spell out your words in numbers. Example: Hug = 484
4) "Bounce" Spelling: Bounce a ball to each other as you take turns spelling out the words. One letter per bounce (thank you yahoo group for this idea!)
5) spelling bingo: I make up grids and laminate them. Then I can use them for any list. Fill in the grid with current list of words. Then print out a list of the words, cut them out, put them in a can. In another can, put the letters B I N G and O. I like to write them on popsicle sticks. Each player takes a turn pulling out a BINGO letter and a spelling word. The player then calls out (for example) B -Mother. Cover your square if you have it.
6) Use alphabet stamps to stamp out the spelling list.
7)Write the words in a try filled with flour, salt, sand, or cornmeal.
8) Hang Man, of course, is a favorite.

By the time we've done all that, the spelling test is a snap!

Any other ideas? I would love to hear them.