Spell to Write and Read

We all want students to spell to write and read, not just to spell a list of words! 

Here are some activities to help you achieve this important goal. Make them a part of your elementary lesson plans, or use them in any other intermediate grade.

Here is a peek at the first page of the printable version of the lesson. The full text also appears below.

Ideas for Teaching Kids to Spell to Write and Read

#1 Sentence Solvers

You've probably asked your students to write sentences using their spelling words -- perhaps nearly every week. It's a valuable activity, because we want kids to know how to use words, not just spell words. So here's a new twist. It may take a bit more of your time, but your students will love it. And they'll have even more practice in using spelling words.

1. Ask each student to write sentences for 4 different spelling words and submit them to you.

2. Check each set of sentences. Select the best one on each page and mark it with a star.

3. Type all the starred sentences into a single worksheet. Replace each spelling word with a blank.

4. Print the worksheets. Hand them out to students to complete. Tell students they must write a spelling word in each blank. (Some spelling words may be used more than once; some may not be used at all.)

Students will enjoy seeing one of their own sentences in print, and they'll try to guess who authored the others!

#2 Excellent Excerpts

Type short passages from reading, science or social studies texts. Replace any spelling words from the text with blanks. Replace other grade-level words (and/or a few letters from tricky words) with blanks. Here's a sample: 

No time to type extra worksheets?

Ask your parent volunteers to help!

• Plan ahead.
• Photocopy several excerpts.
• Underscore the words and letters you'd like to omit in each passage.
• Ask your helpers to type the excerpts in their own time frame.

More Spelling Lessons & Resources

You may also be interested in these resources as you teach kids to spell to write and read:

Story Puzzles and A Listening Lesson - Great ideas for 3rd-5th grade classrooms

How to teach spelling - Even if you've been teaching for years, you might find it helpful to brush up on these fundamentals.

Spelling word games - Lots of simple ideas for fun spelling practice

Spelling homework - 40 fun, flexible ideas for anytime

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 AnyWord Spelling Practice Series Worksheets, games & prompts that work with almost ANY spelling words! 

Fun Spelling Worksheets for Grades 1/2  50 All-new reproducible pages for early learners!

101 Word Play Puzzlers   Discover the FUN of letters & words as you solve each unique puzzle. Great vocabulary & spelling practice!