Fun Ways to learn spelling words

Another fun spelling approach you can use to set up the challenge of a PB (personal best) is to time how QUICKLY they can spell all the words correctly. Remember to reduce the challenge if a child is struggling with a list (e.g.,make it how quickly they can spell half the words). Speed challenges are best once the child seems to have the correct spelling. The aim is then for fast, neat and accurate spelling! You can record their time on the FREE printable in the FREE Spelling List Helper Package.   Can they beat their own time over several attempts?

​Why does it work?

In nearly all learning work I do I will incorporate a “how quickly can you do it” component. This is because for us to do something, respond quickly to something, we have to know how to that something really, really well. If a child can write their spelling words down very quickly (including a check over), then you know the spelling is moving into the automatic phase of learning. 

​It is not functional for an adult to “think” about how to spell every single word we type or write. It would be impossible to survive in today’s text and written communication world.  Achieving speed alongside accuracy helps automatic recall of spelling. We can do this by combing the speed challenge with the accuracy challenge. You can tell the child that their time only ends once all the target words are spelt correctly. 

Fun Spelling challenges that are only about speed may encourage "I've done so it's done attitudes". This discourages the very important step of checking or reading over work.  If they incorporate accuracy with speed the goal of spelling is maintained. You can build up their "checking" skills by stepping up your expectation on them. For example, you could

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c) as their confidence builds you can just say one in the list is incorrect and they have to fix it before you stop the timer.

This builds in the very important step of "checking" their work.