Arrange spelling words with your child by pattern. Most literacy programs used by schools today provide a weekly spelling focus rather than a random list of words. As a form of word study, ask your child to sort those words according to patterns, such as vowel teams (ea, oo), long vowel versus short vowel sounds or common letter blends (sl, nd, th). Challenge your child to form new words that contain those same patterns. Be sure to provide examples, praise efforts and gently make immediate corrections as necessary.
Vary the type of medium being used to practice the words, rather than just pencil and paper. Retention improves when the brain perceives a variety of inputs, including colors, textures and sounds. Tracing words on a tray of sugar or in shaving cream, manipulating noodles or writing with the non-dominant hand using brightly colored markers provides both visual and tactile stimulation.
Get the whole body in motion by jumping rope while spelling, one letter per jump. Spelling practice does not need to be confined to a table and chair. Play instrumental music in the background and sing the spelling aloud with the music or make a chant. Create shadows on the wall in the shape of the letters.
Connect each word to the real world; discover each word's relevance in the home. By making connections between spelling practice and words as they are found in a child's environment, the learning will more likely take root. According to "Differentiated Instruction: A Guide for Elementary School Teachers," associations bridge the gap between theory and reality. Challenge your child to locate words in magazines, on television or around the house that contain the same patterns as the weekly list from school.