Make a Spelling Learning Game

I’m a good speller, although I was a poor one as a child. I was motivated to do better when I chose to become a professional writer.

With spellcheck, being good at spelling is not as essential. Still, accurate spelling is good discipline for polished writing. So, I made up a spelling learning game for Miss T, who just started second grade.

Admittedly, this isn’t the “funnest” game we could play. But it’s a great way to teach spelling without belaboring the effort.

How to Play the Spelling Learning Game

This collaborative game needs an adult to play with the child, to record the words and to give the child hints for sounding out letters.

1. There are four types of cards: 1) consonants, 2) vowels, 3) extra-help consonants, and 4) extra-help vowels. Each set should be a different color.
2. Keep each type of card in its own stack. Draw three consonant cards and two vowel cards. Together, make as many words as you can using these cards. It’s okay to use the card more than once, such as for “mom,” (two “m”s) or “toot” (two “o”s).
3. Record the words on paper as you go. When the child runs out of words, draw an extra vowel card and an extra consonant card and try again.
4. Tip: Remember that the plural form of a word is counted as another word. So, “boy” is one word, but “boys” is another.
5. Decide on a number of words you will aim for in advance, such as 20 words. When you reach the total number, the game is over.

How to Play the Game Remotely

If you are not in the same “pod” as your grandchild and can’t see them in person, you can play this game on FaceTime, Zoom or using another visual connection.

• The child should be the keeper of the cards.
• Have the child draw the appropriate number of cards and call out the alphabets.
• Note the selected alphabets so you can help guide the spelling.
• Keep track of the number of words made and call the end of the game, when the goal is reached.

Materials for the Spelling Learning Game

You need four different-colored cardstock sheets so you can identify the type of card when it’s face down. I made my cards 1 1/2 inches square, but you can choose another size.

You will need additional cardstock to cut out the alphabets (I used my Cricut electronic cutting machine). Or, you can use letter stickers. Even simpler would be to write the alphabet with a colored Sharpie.

What you Need:

21 cardstock squares of one color for the consonants
5 cardstock squares of a second color for the vowels
4 cardstock squares of a third color for extra-help vowels (A, E, I, O)
5 cardstock squares of a fourth color for extra-help consonants: ( R, S, T, N, L)–these are the most-often occurring consonants in the English language

If you cut the alphabet out of cardstock:
Additional cardstock to cut out the letters
Glue stick

If you use alternate means for the alphabets:
Self-adhesive alphabet stickers, such as these
OR a Sharpie or other felt pen to write the letters

For more Grandma fun, plan a doll’s birthday party for a child.

How to Assemble

1. Affix a letter to each cardstock square, minus the A,E,I,O,U, to the cardstock squares that you have set aside for the consonants.
2. Affix A,E,I,O,U to the cardstock squares that you have set aside for the vowels.
3. Affix another set of A,E,I,O,U to squares of the third color.
4. Affix the RSTNL to squares of the fourth color.

It’s optional, but I decorated the back of each card with a circle, a heart, and other fun designs made with a paper punch. If you do, be sure all the cards of any category have the same design. (All the vowels have hearts on the back, for example.)

What Kids Learn from this Game

This game reinforces for kids the sounds each letter makes, as they try to string the sounds together to make words. It also sharpens the child’s facility with words, as they cycle through the words they know, trying to come up with a match for the letters.

Miss T will play for points, but if your child is unwilling, consider a very small bribe–like a pack of a favorite gum. I’m one who believes that education is its own reward, so I don’t like to give prizes for learning.

But sometimes, it may help to sweeten the pot….

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