Spelling can be a dreaded chore for many people, young and old. However, we all know the importance of spellings. After all; they greatly impact one’s grades and are needed not only in higher studies but even at the workplace. Thankfully, there are many creative ways to memorize and practice spellings for homework or spelling bees etc. Let us take a look at some easy ways to memorize spelling words fast:
1. Write the spelling down
Write each word from your homework practice list at least three to four times. You can also write the words down in 3-4 different colors. Try making different color combinations for the letters in the words. Trick yourself into writing each word several times by coming up with different color combinations. When you write, you automatically memorize. Look at each written word to help the word etch on to your memory.
2. Scramble the words
Teachers often use this easy tactic to teach spelling in fun way to 1st and 2nd graders. Scrambling the words helps students know the alphabets present in those words. For example, the word bake can be written as beak, kabe, abek, bkea etc. Teachers can give worksheets with scrambled letters and children can put the words ‘back together’.
3. Use the word in a sentence
When trying to memorize words and their spellings and meanings, it helps to use the words in a sentence. Many spelling practice books and SAT word lists also use difficult words in sentences to ensure that students understand their meanings. While this may not always help you memorize the spellings, it can help you grasp the word and understand the meaning. Spelling is also a highly visual skill which means that when you practice its use in a paragraph or sentence form, then you are in a better position to memorize and recollect it later. Try making a SUPER sentence with 5 or more words from your spelling lists.
4. Write paragraphs containing words from your list
Apart from writing down just the words, one can even write a paragraph and try to include as many words as one can, from the list. This will help you memorize the words easily as they understand their meaning too.
5. Use art
In order to teach spelling in fun way, teachers and students can use art as follows:
- Drawing a picture of the meaning of the word can help and so can cutting out letters from magazines or newspapers for a collage of words.
- You can also write difficult spellings on white boards/sheets using marker pens and hang them up in a place where you can look at them every day.
- Color coding letters and words is especially a helpful tool for tactile kinesthetic learners. One can also draw a picture and ‘hide’ the practice words in it.
- If possible, write a song or poem containing your words.
- Write the words in calligraphy form.
- Write your words with finger paint or water colors.
- Stamp the words.
6. Create word searches
In order to teach spelling in a fun way, teachers and parents can create word searches and get the students to circle meaningful words. One can make the exercise harder by adding similar though misspelled words in the searches. Kids will remember the spellings better when they use this exercise. You can also make puzzles and crosswords with the word lists.
7. Read every night
Reading is the best way to memorize spelling words fast. Get some books from the library that you can read easily. Younger students can seek help from a grownup for reading. It is important that you read something you find enjoyable. Sometimes, large books with big words could overwhelm you. So keep your reading books fun and simple.
8. Make code words for difficult words
Very difficult words can be coded; this is a neat trick used by Spelling Bee champs. If you are good with numbers, you could assign numbers for groups of letters in each word.
9. Avoid tackling too many words all at once
Big word lists tend to overwhelm students. So it is important to stay calm: try not to tackle the entire list all at once. Take a few words at a time and practice them every day. You can plan to memorize 5-7 words each day. Read the word and its spelling and repeat it several times. Then write the spelling two to three times, more if you can. Memorize the spelling by covering the word and repeating it. You can sit with a buddy or a parent to ensure you are saying the spellings correctly.
10. Use movement
You can jump rope/skip or use hands to create rhythmic beats as you spell out each word. The mind has an amazing ability to associate beats with the letters and can help you memorize words faster without it seeming like chore.
11. Type them on a computer or tablet
Typing the words out several times can also help you memorize spelling words. You can use MS Word which also has auto correct facility for correcting errors. These days, there are free apps for spelling practice which kids and adults can use on a phone or computer. To find out some of the best spelling apps for children of different age groups, click here.
12. Use a voice recorder
Almost all phones have a voice recorder these days. In order to make spelling practice fun and easy, you can use that. Say the word as you record it, then play the word back in your voice and repeat it several more times. This is a fun and fast way to learn spellings for kids who do not like writing words or sentences. Say-Spell-Say several times to memorize the word quickly.
13. Understand meaning of difficult words
You can use the dictionary and learn the meaning of each difficult word. Alphabetize each word and write down the dictionary respelling with meanings. You could go one step ahead and write the antonym of each word. Dividing the word in syllables can also help-write the word down and circle the vowels and consonants. You can also learn words better by using a different color for letters or crossing out silent letters.
14. Make flash cards
SAT word lists are easier to memorize when you make flash cards by writing the word on one side and their meaning on the other side of the card. Keep the cards in your pocket so you can learn on the go. You can also make 3”x5” index cards of frequently misspelled words sorted alphabetically.
15. Write synonyms and antonyms of words
This is one of the fun and easy ways to practice spelling words for 4th and 5th graders. When you write the synonyms and antonyms, the meanings get ingrained and etched out on your brain. Your vocabulary will also increase with this process.
Ask parents/teachers/friends to test you from time to time. You can go for a written or verbal test to see how much you have memorized. With daily practice, you can master thousands of spellings in a short while.
