Sensory Spelling Guide
14 ways to engage the body & brain
Spelling can be mighty boring but it doesn’t have to
be. Use this guide as a source of inspiration, for making
home or school spelling something that everyone
wants to do.
By simply engaging the senses, spelling is more fun,
more engaging and more memorable. That’s right,
learning retention is higher when our body and brain
are working together.
By Clare Crew of Thrive Education and Wellness
Website: www.ThriveEducationAndWellness.com.au
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ThriveEducationAndWellness
1. Rainbow Spelling
Instead of copying the words with a lead pencil, change colour
for each word or letter.
2. Water Letters
Use a bucket of water and a paintbrush to paint the words on
different surfaces outside.
3. Chalk Writing
Use chalk of different colours and sizes to write the words on
pavers, bricks or a driveway.
4. Spelling Sticks
Using a stick as a writing tool, practice the spelling words in a
patch of dirt or sand. See, the beach really is a great place to go
for homework!
5. Play Dough Letters
Who can go past play dough for a tactile spelling activity? To
engage even more of the senses, add a couple of drops of
essential oil to the mixture. Lavender is gentle on the skin and a
calming scent for tired and grumpy school children.
6. Typing Time
Use the Microsoft Word program (or similar) to type spelling words.
There’s scope to change the font size, style and colour, as well as
to open and save the document as children become more
computer proficient.
7. Word Games
Write each spelling word on two pieces of paper of the same size.
Use these word cards to play Memory or Snap with a family
member.
8. Shaving Cream
Get a can of shaving cream and start writing! Use a black sack as
a throw away table cloth, cutting off the bottom and along the
side to increase its size. This can also be stuck on an external wall
or fence for an upright shaving cream canvas.
9. Threading
Get some inexpensive letter beads from a bargain shop and turn
spelling into an engaging fine motor activity. You can keep what
is made or re-use the letters over and over again.
10.
Ink-Stamped Words
Ink pads and letters are another cheap resource found at most
bargain shops. You can keep it simple with words alone, or add
some picture stamp decorations afterwards.
11. Surface tracing
Everyone’s got carpet, right? Or tiles, floorboards, grass, air? Don’t
overlook how powerful tracing letters or words on different
surfaces can be. This tactile experience helps to embed the
formation of the letter or word in the brain. And it’s an activity
that you can do anywhere, even in the car or a waiting room.
12. Magnetic Letters
If you don’t yet own magnetic letters, add them to your shopping
list now. Playing with them on the fridge is the first exposure to
letters that many youngsters have. For a school aged child they
are a useful tool for sounding out words, playing with silly sounds
or practicing homework spelling. If you have a fridge that isn’t
magnetic, small portable whiteboards can be purchased from
educational retailers for approximately $7 each.
13. Tray Time
Put some flour, rice, sand or split peas into a tray or container and
feel the words as they are written. A container with a lid means
that the tray is ready on hand to whip out at a moment’s notice.
14.
Sticky letters
Get come blank sticky dots and write the letters of the alphabet
on them with a permanent texta, remembering to double up on
vowels (older children can do this part themselves). Spelling
words can then be constructed with these colourful stickers.
Thrive Education and Wellness is committed to helping children,
students, parents and teachers to do just that... THRIVE!
www.ThriveEducationAndWellness.com.au
The 14 sensory spelling ideas in this guide are just a start and from
there, I know you’ll think of some great ideas of your own.
Share your photos and inspiration with the Thrive Facebook
community.
www.facebook/ThriveEducationAndWellness.com