Ask the chldren to pretend to be cheerleaders. Choose words that some of the students have difficulty with and have them form each letter with their bodies. For example, to spell "taxi," start with the arms open out like a "T." Feet are slightly apart and the arms are down for the "A." For an "X," arms are up and away from the body while the feet are apart. Hands are clasped and above the head for the letter "I." Play music while spelling with movement.
Playing interactive games on the computer is a fun way to master spelling words. Scholastic's Spelling Wizard website asks a kid to input 10 words he needs help in spelling (see Resources). The child can then choose whether he wants the words made into a word search puzzle or a word scramble game. Vocabulary and Spelling City also features spelling activities. Kids can play "Hang Mouse" and other games to help them remember their spelling words.
Kids have fun and remember their spelling words when involved in a tactile activity. Have them write out words with white glue on a piece of paper and then sprinkle glitter over it to make the word appear. Provide the children with cans of shaving foam to write out their spelling words on a table. Another idea is to smooth a sandbox and have the children write the words with their fingers in the sand.
Hang up long pieces of butcher paper along a wall. As new spelling words are introduced, have kids draw the words on the butcher paper with markers in a graffiti style. Allow time each day for the kids to experiment with drawing the words on the paper. Change the butcher paper each week to provide space for new spelling words.