Title – Spelling/Vocabulary Charades

By – Robert Mantione

Primary Subject – Language Arts

Grade Level – 3-5

Time – 40 minutes

Note:

This is actually an activity and game more than a lesson plan. I have found it to be a fun way for students to practice spelling and connect to vocabulary. It is especially helpful for ESL students. I usually do this on a Thursday just before the Friday spelling quiz (you may want to do it on Wednesday and Thursday).

I know there are many steps, but it really goes very quickly.

Objective:

1. SWBAT demonstrate spelling mastery.

2. SWBAT demonstrate understanding of word meaning.

Materials:

1. White board or chalk board

2. Erasable markers or chalk

3. List of “this week’s” spelling words (10-20 words)

4. Dictionaries for each student (or groups of students)

5. Clock, watch, or timer.

Anticipatory Set/Focus and Review (5-7 minutes):

1. Quick review of “this week’s” spelling words by having students read and spell words from list. They may use the list of words.

Developmental Activity (20-30 minutes):

1. Call one student to the board, facing the class.

2. Write a spelling word from “this week’s list” on the board behind the student.

3. Other students in the class must give verbal or physical clues (they may use dictionaries) to the student at the board in order for that student to guess the word.

4. If the student at the board guesses the word, he or she must spell it.

5. If the student at the board does not guess the word in 90 seconds, give the student the word and ask the student to spell it.

6. If the student does not spell it correctly, the student must choose a classmate to spell it and repeat the spelling.

7. The student at the board chooses another classmate to come to the board (I usually have the student choose a classmate of a different gender).

8. Repeat activities 1-7.

E-Mail

Robert Mantione

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