360 Degree spelling test This is a spelling game that allows the tutors to test the learners, the learners to test the tutors and then the learners to test each other. It is fun, competitive, supportive and covers the following areas: Spelling Discussion/debating skills Skimming and scanning Writing complete sentences Speaking and listening Decoding unfamiliar words Game One… The tutor tests the learners Tutor splits the class into three mixed‐ability groups. Each group nominates a ‘team leader’ to speak on behalf of the group and the group then quickly select a team name. The teacher then writes the three team names on the board. The first spelling test begins and works as follows: Each round, the tutor gives each group a different word to spell (suggested words listed below), and then gives the groups up to a minute to decide on the correct spelling. For each correct spelling, the group gets one point, which the tutor lists on the board under their team name. If after ten questions the teams are level, there is a tie‐break using the questions listed at the bottom. Decide Careless Paperwork Address Demanding Unhappy Media Making Computer Unwind Exhibition Pencil Parcel Decisive Chocolate Crooked Quizzical Receive Colour Tie Break Story Physics Newspaper Profession Imagination Staple Calendar Extend Nationality Necessary Fizzy Community Plasterer Coffee Civilized Friends Parliament July 2011 Kindly contributed by Matt Barnes. Search for Matt on www.skillsworkshop.org
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E3-L2 Literacy and for underpinning Functional English. To find related resources visit the download page for this resource at skillsworkshop.
360 Degree spelling test Game Two… the learners test the tutor The tutor leaves the learners in their groups and gives each group a dictionary. The groups each find ten difficult spellings that they think the tutor will be unable to spell. The groups can pick any word at all, but they must be able to pronounce it properly. The tutor leaves the room whilst they are working on these and then, when he/she returns, the groups take turns to test him/her. For each spelling the tutor gets incorrect, the team gets one point. **This is a great opportunity to give feedback on why certain spellings are difficult and demonstrate that everybody gets things wrong. I got 26 out of 30, and whilst I got xylophone, synagogue, expedition and all manner of other unusual words correct, I got relatively simple ones like irreplaceable and accommodation wrong. It really helps to build a rapport with the class and to take away their own fear of spelling things incorrectly** Game Three… The Learners Test Each Other The final game allows the learners to test each other. Each group writes ten complete sentences, but each sentence must feature one spelling mistake. They can use dictionaries in the planning/sentence writing stage, but the tutor must put them away before the ‘test’ portion begins. The groups then take turns to write a sentence each on the board, whilst the other two teams have to work out which word is wrong. The other two groups can get up to two points for each sentence that is written on the board – one for spotting the spelling mistake, and another for writing it out correctly themselves (without a dictionary). The tutor then checks their answers on paper before giving out the appropriate points on the board. If the learners make a mistake and there is an additional spelling mistake when they write their sentences on the board, the tutor can offer additional points for spotting it and writing it correctly, which ups the competitive ante a little bit and makes the whole thing more fun for the learners Of course, a prize should be given afterwards to the winning team. July 2011 Kindly contributed by Matt Barnes. Search for Matt on www.skillsworkshop.org
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E3-L2 Literacy and for underpinning Functional English. To find related resources visit the download page for this resource at skillsworkshop.