Make a list of words for the students to sort. Most teenagers will be working on derived words from a set of base words and word origins. The students cut the list apart, try to find a pattern in the words and sort the words according to that pattern. For example, if the words on the spelling list contain century, biennial, centimeter, bilateral and trilogy, the categories for the sort would be the Latin roots cent-, bi-, tri-.
Once they recognize the pattern and have completed the sort, have a timed challenge. Throw the words up in the air, start the timer, and have everyone sort their words according to the previously made categories. The first one finished with the correct sorted words is the winner. This timed sort can be played individually, also, by having students try to beat their best time.
Play a game of Hangman or Sparkle. For Hangman, students win if they can fill in the word on the blanks prior to the hangman being completed. For Sparkle, everyone in the group, even if it's just the two of you, alternates saying one letter of the word in succession. After the last letter has been said, the next person says, "Sparkle." Continue playing with the next word. It's very easy to get confused, especially with more than two people in the group, which leads to fun.
Hand out newspapers and magazines to the students and tell them they're on a word pattern hunt. As they scan the written material, they should look for words that fit that patterns they're working on. Set the timer to add a game-like atmosphere. Tell the students if they can find 10 words that fit the pattern in the next 10 minutes, they're the winner. Finding the patterns in other words and applying what's known about their spelling and meaning boosts confidence and comprehension.
Obtain "Miss Spell's Class" from the iTunes App Store for your iPod Touch, iPhone, or iPad. This app displays the most commonly misspelled words from a dictionary Internet site. Students have to quickly decide if the word is correct or not. Points are taken away if they pick the misspelled word, and there's a pass and play option to play with friends.
The "Scrabble" app for iPod Touch is another word game that promotes spelling. Along with a pass and play option, the "Scrabble "app allows students to invite social network friends to play as well as an option to compete with a mystery guest.