For some students, learning about and understanding words is a real challenge. As teachers, it is up to us to help them and make learning fun. The three ideas below were sent in by really good teachers who know that when word lessons are exciting, students retain more and are more successful.
Making Words Fun! Lesson Ideas for Elementary Students
Making Words
This idea was submitted by Jill, a 1st Grade Teacher, in Sun Prairie, WI.
Every week we work on a word family. On Fridays, I do a “Making Words” lesson using shaving cream on the students’ desks. I write the word family on the desk and they have fun spreading it out into a circle they can “write” in. I give them words from the word family and they write them in shaving cream on their desks. When we are done I let them use the remaining shaving cream to clean off the top of their desks. It’s a great way to make words and clean desks!
Harry Homophone
Idea by Linda, a 2nd Grade Teacher, from Gridley, IL.
A few years ago I started a homophone lesson that lasted all year long. After we talked about what homophones were and I gave a few very easy, obvious examples, I put up a construction paper circle with eyes, antennae, and a big smile. He is labeled “Harry Homophone.” His head goes up high so that he grows around the room near the ceiling all year. Each time we get a new homophone set, I put up a colored circle with those words. I start Harry out with the examples that we used in class. We come across other pairs (or triplets) during different subject times and often when I am reading aloud to them. The rule is that none of the words may be proper nouns or slang. They get so enthused they involve their parents. My only requirement is that if you bring them in from home they must be handed in on paper and the student must know what the words are and their meaning. Otherwise, I tend to get a very long list from moms and dads and the students don’t know the words. Harry grows longer until he is usually 3/4 the way around the room. We refer to the posted words all through the year. I laminated all the circles from the first year and keep a file and have blank, laminated circles for new words. The class loves it!
Sight Word Basketball
Idea by Sarah, a Kindergarten Teacher, in Perry, IA.
Many kids in my Kindergarten Title 1 groups have a hard time with sight words. I needed to make reading and practicing them fun and exciting. Using magnetic letters, I put about 8-10 (depending on ability level) sight words in a column on the whiteboard. I stuck a mini plastic basketball hoop with suction cups above all of the sight words. The students get a chance to read the sight words, and they get to take a shot with the mini basketball into the hoop if they can read the words. The kids absolutely LOVE it, and it is a great alternative to other rewards.
How do you make words exciting in your classroom? Share with us below!
Rachel S. says
I’ve had the students write the words on their desks in dry erase marker, then at the end, we wipe them off with disinfectant wipes. Another way to keep the desks clean, and they actually do get to write on their desks!! They love it!
Christina D. says
These would be great for helping some of our students learn math vocabulary!
Amanda Lawson says
Love the Harry Homophone idea. We are learning about homophones this week. I will have to try this idea out.