Ideas for Spelling Homework Assignments

Studying for weekly spelling tests can be boring for kids. Many students simply write words multiple times in order to learn how to spell them, but they may learn the words more quickly with fun spelling activities. Read on for spelling homework assignment ideas.

Find available tutors

How to Make Spelling Homework Fun for Students

Whether you teach students in a classroom or homeschool your children, there are several activities you can use to help kids learn their weekly spelling words without relying on repetition and rote memorization. You may choose to create paper worksheets with different types of games, or use any number of free websites to create puzzles by inputting words. These easy-to-create spelling homework assignments can help your students to become more enthusiastic about learning to write and spell.

Three Spelling Activities

Word Scramble or Word Jumble

Creating word scrambles with your students' spelling lists each week can be a fun way for them to learn proper spelling while also practicing their vocabulary. Start by scrambling each word on the list, but instead of simply mixing up the letters for each word, create a set of clues for each so that your students make a connection between the words and their definitions. Once completed, review your students' answers to make sure the spelling is correct.

Another similar option is a word jumble. Start the activity the same way, by mixing up the letters in each word. However, instead of clues for each word, create one clue for the overall theme of the puzzle.

Your students will take letters from each of the spelling words to unscramble the answer to the final clue. You'll need to circle one or two letters in each correctly spelled word for your students to use in their final answer. For the purposes of this exercise, the final answer should also be one of the students' spelling words. Otherwise, the jumble may be difficult for younger children to figure out.

Spelling Word Story

To help your students improve both their spelling and narrative writing skills, challenge them to create stories using all of the words from their weekly list. Depending on the grade level you're working with, writing standards may vary. For example, first graders' narratives will have far less structure and detail than those written by fifth graders.

To make this activity more fun for your students, have them create illustrations for their stories. Ask them to draw pictures for each spelling word in the story and have them label the pictures to gain even more spelling practice.

Spelling Puzzles

If you'd rather use an online tool to create spelling activities for your students, there are free puzzle makers online. Discovery Education offers a tool to help you create your own puzzles using your students' spelling words (www.discoveryeducation.com). You'll also find word searches, crosswords, jumbles and other educational resources.

Did you find this useful? If so, please let others know!

Other Articles You May Be Interested In

We Found 7 Tutors You Might Be Interested In

Huntington Learning

  • What Huntington Learning offers:
  • Online and in-center tutoring
  • One on one tutoring
  • Every Huntington tutor is certified and trained extensively on the most effective teaching methods
In-Center and Online

K12

  • What K12 offers:
  • Online tutoring
  • Has a strong and effective partnership with public and private schools
  • AdvancED-accredited corporation meeting the highest standards of educational management
Online Only

Kaplan Kids

  • What Kaplan Kids offers:
  • Online tutoring
  • Customized learning plans
  • Real-Time Progress Reports track your child's progress
Online Only

Kumon

  • What Kumon offers:
  • In-center tutoring
  • Individualized programs for your child
  • Helps your child develop the skills and study habits needed to improve their academic performance
In-Center and Online

Sylvan Learning

  • What Sylvan Learning offers:
  • Online and in-center tutoring
  • Sylvan tutors are certified teachers who provide personalized instruction
  • Regular assessment and progress reports
In-Home, In-Center and Online

Tutor Doctor

  • What Tutor Doctor offers:
  • In-Home tutoring
  • One on one attention by the tutor
  • Develops personlized programs by working with your child's existing homework
In-Home Only

TutorVista

  • What TutorVista offers:
  • Online tutoring
  • Student works one-on-one with a professional tutor
  • Using the virtual whiteboard workspace to share problems, solutions and explanations
Online Only

Our Commitment to You

  • Free Help from Teachers

  • Free Learning Materials

  • Helping Disadvantaged Youth