Give each student a notebook and a reading assignment. It could something as simple as a magazine article or more complex like a passage from a novel or textbook. Make the reading assignment slightly more challenging than the student's current reading level. Ask each student to read the passage quietly and then list each word she does not understand in her notebook. When finished reading, ask students to look up the definitions of their vocabulary words and write them in their books. Allow each student to get up and read the word and explain the definition of the word in a new sentence.
Many words have the same sound, but mean different things. Words like "to" can also be spelled as "too" and "two" and have completely different meanings. Create a lesson discussing vocabulary words that sound the same but are spelled differently and mean something else. Word combinations such as "flour/ flower," "write/right," "scent, cent" and "our/hour" are great examples to discuss. Make a worksheet listing only one word and ask students if they can come up with the opposite word that sound similar. Ask if the know the definition for each word and review their meanings.
Good for younger students or for students just beginning the language, print off pictures that show a single image. You can group pictures by subject, such as animals, articles of clothing, outdoor items or things around the house. Give each student a marker. Tack the pictures up on a bulletin board or wall for the whole class to see. Point to an image, and ask students to raise their hand if the know the word that describes the item pictured. If they can pronounce the word correctly, allow them to get up and try their hand at spelling by writing the word below the picture. Print enough pictures for everyone in the class to have a chance at both speaking and writing.
Reinforce spelling skills by cutting apart a word. Give each student an index card, a pair of scissors and a dark colored marker. Ask students to think of the hardest word they know and print it clearly on the card. Then, ask them to cut apart the word, creating a piece for each letter. Mix up the letters and have the students hand their letters to a neighboring classmate. When each student has a new group of letters, instruct them to recreate the word. Whoever comes up with the correct word wins. Ask them to pronounce the word before awarding a prize or treat.