Make Spelling Practice Engaging with a Spelling Choice Board

Take Your Spelling Practice to the Next Level

Stuck in a spelling rut? A few years back, I was too. My students were bored with our spelling routine- and quite frankly, so was I. I was spending way too much time hunting down homework assignments, and my class’s spelling grades were subpar at best. All that changed when I mixed things up with a spelling choice board!

Have you been searching high and low for spelling activities that are effective AND reach all your learners. You can grab this spelling choice board in my TPT store!

In this post we’ll look at how a choice board changed how my students viewed spelling practice AND improved their overall spelling.

Spelling Choice Board Structure

We know what research and science tells us – drills and repetitive activities are the best way to internalize spelling patterns.

BUT.

As teachers, we have the difficult job of helping our upper elementary students understand that the most boring possible activities are the most effective. And, quite honestly, not many of them will buy into writing their words 3x each for 36 weeks straight.

Therefore, as I was creating the structure of this choice board I considered the following:

How do I make sure students get the practice they need?
How can I balance that with more fun activities that are still meaningful?

With those questions in mind I came up with the “spoonful of sugar” approach.

First, each week students would have to complete a MUST DO activity that is straight from the top of the list of the most highly effective spelling activities. Even though these aren’t the most exciting activities, being allowed to choose which one to do will entice some of the more reluctant learners.

Then, I compiled a list of kid-tested choice activities that included a multisensory element, which increases not only the effectiveness but also the student engagement in their spelling practice.

Whether you have art, music, word, or movement lovers in your room, they’ll find an activity that interests them.

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Introducing a Spelling Choice Board

Any time you introduce an activity that centers around independence and choice, you must clearly provide the directions and expectations beforehand. More work with practicing the routines up front leads to a smoother transition into student independence.

The absolute worst thing to do would be to hand students a choice board like this and say, “okay, get to work”! What you’ll end up with is poorly done work that is not enhancing your students’ spelling instruction at all.

Rather, take time to introduce each activity individually. As students learn your expectations for each activity, gradually increase the amount of activities they can complete independently, until all the activities have been presented. This way, your students will know exactly how you would like the work to be completed.

Increasing Student Accountability

By allowing students to choose their own activities, you are increasing their accountability when it comes to practicing their spelling words. You can take this a step further by making sure caregivers know how to help students at home. For activities they may be unfamiliar with, send home directions and examples of each activity so that the whole family can be involved.

Using a Spelling Choice Board in Upper Elementary

This is a great activity for homework, centers, independent practice, or even for students to use with tutors or pull-out teachers. Once I started using this choice board for homework, my return rate went from 22% to 78%, at a school where homework completion was a struggle. In turn, as students began to pay more attention to their spelling practice, assessment grades went up as well!

What If I Did the Work for You?

Choice board, meaningful activities, directions for students and parents, examples…all of this sounds great, but who has time to make this for their own classroom? If that’s how you’re feeling after reading this post, today’s your lucky day! I’ve already done all the hard work for you – you simply have to decide how you want to use it with your students!

My Spelling Choice Board resource includes:

Choice Board with 27 Activities
Practice Worksheets that Align with Each Activity
Activity Slideshow with Directions and Examples
Activity Directions for Student Notebooks
Digital and Editable Items
Bonus Items to Help Students Use the Choice Board

Low-Prep, Standards-Based Resources for Upper Elementary