What is Speller's Choice?

"Speller's Choice" is what we will use for spelling homework assignments in our class.  Speller's Choice will allow your child to choose the types of activities to complete with his/her weekly words.  Please assist your child in choosing activities that are appropriate for his/her level.  Speller's Choice includes a variety of activities for all levels of "spellers".  If your child struggles with our weekly spelling tests, please encourage him/her to choose activities that require repeated writing of the words; for example: Rainbow Words, ABC Order Words, or Pyramid Words.  This will help give your child the extra practice needed for learning the spelling patterns of our words.  If your child has already mastered most spelling patterns and can spell our weekly words already, encourage him/her to choose activities that will challenge him/her creatively; for example: 30 Second Words or Secret Agent Words.

On “Speller’s Choice” nights, you may choose from the activities listed below. Each activity has been assigned a point value. Your activities MUST add up to 4 or more points by the end of the week.

If your child goes beyond the 4 point maximum, this will not be used for extra credit. You can choose one or more items to do each night, so that you could possibly earn all of your points in one night, or you may spread them out over all of the “Speller’s Choice” nights during the week.

Complete the activities you choose from the list. Write the name of each activity on your weekly speller’s choice homework slip and return the slip to school on Thursday. The activities do NOT have to be turned in; you only need to have a parent note that it was completed.

      One Point Activities

1.       ABC order- Write your words in alphabetical order.

2.       Reversed words - Write your words in ABC order -backwards!

3.       Rainbow Words - Write each of your words in three colors.

4.    Cheer your words - Pretend you are a cheerleader and call out your words!

5.       Backwards Words- Write your words forwards, then backwards.

6.       Picture words - Draw a picture and write your words in the picture.

7.   Shaving Cream Words - Spread shaving cream on a table and write you words in the cream. Watch the cream disappear as you work!

8.   Basketball words - Shout out the spelling of each word as you jump and pretend to shoot a basket!

9.   Parent Partner words – Have a parent quiz you on your words.

10.   Third times a charm words – Write each of you spelling words three times on your pink spelling paper.

Two Point Activities:

11.       Silly sentences- Use all of your words in ten sentences.

12.    Pyramid Words - Write your words adding or subtracting one letter at a time. The result will be a pyramid shape of words.

13.    Ransom words - Write your words by cutting out letters in a newspaper or magazine and gluing them into your spelling journal.

14.   Words-in-words - Write your words and then write at least 2 words made from each.

15.   Magazine words - Use an old magazine or newspaper, and find your word. Cut it out, and glue it into your spelling journal.

Three Point Activities:

16.   Story words - Write a short story using all of your words.

17.   30 Second Words - Write a TV commercial using all of the words from your list.

18.   Popsicles - Make your words using popsicle sticks.

19.   Secret Agent Words - Number the alphabet from 1 to 26, then convert your words to a number code.

20.   Etch-A-Word - Use an Etch-A-Sketch to write your words.

21.   Telephone Words - Translate your words into numbers from a telephone keypad.

22.   Sound Words - Use a tape recorder and record your words and their spelling. Then listen to your tape, checking to see that you spelled all the words correctly.

23.   Pasta Words - Write your words by arranging alphabet pasta or Alphabits.

24.   3D words - Use modeling clay rolled thinly to make your words.

Please keep this paper in your take-home folder at all times, so that you can use it each week.

Have fun!