First graders can practice letters and words using old puzzle pieces. Make a list of words that your first grader needs to work on or use the vocabulary lists established in class. Write the letters of several words on the backs of old puzzle pieces. Keep the pieces that spell each word in separate bags or bound by rubber bands. Another option is to make your own puzzle pieces out of foam board or poster board. Write the words in large letters, draw the puzzle pieces around them and cut them out. When the child puts the pieces together correctly, a word is created. Have the child read the word each time.
While travelling, your first grader can improve spelling skills. Copy the current spelling list from your child's classroom word wall, or ask the teacher for a list of words the class is currently working on. Using a metal cookie sheet and alphabet magnets, either give your child the list to work from independently, or call out words for him to spell with the magnets. Mix up the order of the words to make sure your first grader really knows how to spell them and hasn't memorized the list. Expand the game by asking your child to use each word in a sentence once he's spelled it correctly.
Most first grade classrooms have a word wall where all of the vocabulary the students are working on are listed. Play a game of Bingo to help first graders with these words. Give each child a Bingo card with six blank spaces. Ask each child to write one word wall word in each space. Remove the words from the wall and place them into a container. Pull out one word at a time and call it out. If the child has that word, it may be covered with a marker. The first student with all words covered yells Bingo. When beginning the game, show the students the words. After a couple of rounds, just call the words out to allow students to practice spelling skills.
Write the first grade spelling list words on large cards of poster board or cardboard. Add a number in the corner of each card and place the cards on a shower curtain. Attach them with tape or rubber cement. Lay the shower curtain out on the floor. Divide students into two teams and have each team take turns throwing a bean bag onto a card on the shower curtain. If the student reads the word on the card, the team gets the number of points you've written in the corner. Let all students toss at least once, and the team with the most points wins.