Independent Spelling or Vocabulary Activities

1. List variations of the word: enter, entered, entering; twenty, twentieth, twenty-five.
2. Use each word in a meaningful sentence.
3. Write out the most common definitions of each word.
4. Copy an example sentence from a glossary or dictionary.
5. Create a crossword puzzle with a variety of clue types (definitions, antonyms, fill in the blank sentences, etc.).
6. Use graph paper to outline the word shape.
7. Write a story using as many words as possible.
8. Make a synonym list (similar).
9. Make an antonym list (opposite).
10. Practice the words in cursive.
11. List the words in ABC order.
12. Take a quiz on paper with a partner.
13. Make a set of flash cards and practice words with a partner.
14. Write missing word sentences to give to a partner.
15. Word race: and = stand, sand, handful
16. Letter move: took = look, loom, boom, room, roof, root
17. See-Say-Cover-Print-Check on a 3-column paper

Here are some suggestions for personal spelling challenge words.

1. Names of days and months
2. Math terms from the glossary of the math text
3. Streets, towns, states, countries, and geographic sites
4. Vocabulary from the glossary of the social studies text
5. Science terms
6. Reading vocabulary words
7. Words from jobs or hobbies
8. Synonyms for over-used words: big – enormous, gigantic
9. Words from any book or subject in the library
10. Words from an encyclopedia
11. Computer or technology terms