Pre-test the spelling words for the week. Focus studying and practice on words missed on the pre-test.
Sort the spelling words into groups based on the spelling or phonics rules they contain. Focusing on one or two spelling rules at a time makes it easier to learn them.
Build the words with a variety of materials, including modeling clay, string and letter tiles. Physically making the letters with clay or string helps students to remember what the words look like.
Play spelling games like Hangman or Sparkle with the spelling words. For Sparkle, have all the children stand in a circle. Say a word and have each student say one letter of the word. If a student misses the letter or repeats the previous person's letter, he is out. After the last letter of the word, the next person in the circle says "Sparkle" and sits down. The last child standing wins.
Hold a mock spelling bee. Have all the students stand in a row on one side of the room and read words from the spelling list for them to spell out loud. If a student spells the word incorrectly, he or she must sit down and the next student has a chance to spell the word.