Quick and Easy Spelling Games

 Happy Thursday everyone!  It's Lisa from Second Grade Stories and I am happy to share that I am just one more wake-up away from enjoying my spring break!  Those days leading up to break can definitely be crazy it's amazing how close we are to the end of the year!  With that in mind, I thought I'd pop in today and share some easy and no (or very little!) prep ideas for practicing spelling.

 

 

This post is all about keeping it real.  Some days you just need something simple and quick to do during those spare moments when there isn't enough time for a full activity - but there's zero time to prepare!  These spelling games are always a hit with my second graders.  We use them to practice weekly words, review word wall words, as a center or small group activity ... any way you choose, they're easy to do and fun! Let's get started!

 

 

Any time you can add a familiar game into the mix, the activity is just guaranteed to be successful!  This one is simple - players take turns asking each other to spell words.  If the word is spelled correctly, that person gets to make their "X" or "O" on the board.  If not, it's the next person's turn to spell a word.  The first person to get three in a row wins! This game is great because it needs no directions and you can play a bunch of rounds in 10 minutes.  Sometimes students have their spelling words with them, sometimes I project words on the Smartboard and sometimes we use Word Wall words.

 

 

I have to admit - I made this game up on a whim one day a few years ago and I use it all the time - and it should probably be called "Spell and Roll" because that's the order you do it in.  Again, partners take turns asking each other to spell a word.  If the player is correct, s/he rolls the dice (use any dice you want) and earns that many points.  Players keep track of their points and the first player to a designated number (we do 25) is the winner.  I've also had them go the other way and start with 25 points and subtract each time - first person to zero (exactly to zero, if you want!) wins.  A little spelling, a little math... it's all there!

 

 

This third game is relatively new for us - but it's fast becoming a class favorite.  It starts like the other two games, spell a word correctly and you get to do something - this time it's roll the dice and see which kind of bunny part you get to add to your drawing.  The first time, everyone starts with the basic body.  On roll #2, it's the eyes.  Each number corresponds to a different kind of eyes - or ears, or mouth, or whatever parts you choose for what you're drawing. The first person to draw their full bunny wins.  Really, everyone wins because if you're drawing a bunny there just isn't any other way to go.

 

Yes, I drew those parts.  Don't judge.  I am NOT artistic, although when my kiddos overheard me say something about having drawn the sheet, they were mighty impressed with my mad skills as an artist.  I just love second graders.

 

If you really want, you can download the bunny parts sheet by clicking the image below. 

 

I did not fancy it up.  I did try to make the drawings a little nicer.  And to top it all off, my printer started acting up so I couldn't scan the sheet and I had to take a picture of it with my iPhone and then insert it into a document. So the borders and the title look great but the actual image is a little on the fuzzy side.  You can make your own 6x6 grid and have your kiddos make a bug, or flower or something else cute and adorable.  If you do, can you share it with me, please?  My artwork needs an intervention and bunnies are not going to cut it after spring break.