"Hop-To-It" Spelling

Description: Students hop to the correct letter, to spell their words.  This is a fun way to get students moving, to practice their weekly spelling words.



Materials:

• Sheets of paper, with each letter of the alphabet, one letter per page.  (laminating option, but recommended)
• index card with each spelling word printed out
• index card with past spelling and/or vocabulary words printed out

Procedures:

1. There are several ways to do this.  I recommend utilizing a quiet hallway, or pushing desks back, in order to make space for this within the classroom.  (Or if it's not too windy, try this one outside; or use sidewalk chalk!)  Have the letters scattered about on the floor, either randomly placed, or in alphabetical order.  (Heck, you could even use the QWERTY keyboard order -- get creative!!)
2. Have students get in a line to spell their words.  You can have one student act as the "recorder"* or you can perform this task, so students can SEE what they've spelled.    
3. Call out a spelling or vocabulary word for the first student.  Have him HOP to the correct letters, as he says them.  The recorder writes the letters as they are said/hopped upon. 
4. At the end of each word, have the student look at what was recorded, and -if needed- offer him a chance to respell, to correct any mistakes.  If he spells the word correctly, either initially or on the second chance,  he goes to the end of the line and holds on to the index card with the spelling word printed on it.  (The card notates how many points accumulated.)
5. After all words have been used, whoever has the most index cards (points) is the winner!

Variations:

• Can use with math: have numbers placed on the floor (calculator style, perhaps), and students HOP to solve  equations.  Index cards can serve as flash cards for math facts, as well as denote points. This would be a great way to assess what facts need to be reinforced, and which have been mastered.
• This could be a small group and/or center activity, facilitated by a student who has mastered the words (or math facts), or who is provided with a master list from which to check students spellings (or calculations).
• Can also be done using eliminations, spelling bee style, and only those who spell correctly, either initially or with the second chance, get back in line.  Those who misspell go back to their desk and may use their word list to help "judge" the remaining contestants.

 *The recorder could be a student who, for a variety of reasons, may not need to participate as actively.  The recorder could be a student who does consistently well on spelling tests, and can act as a "judge" of spelling.  Or he can be a student who may have poor motor skills, and might be embarrassed to participate in this activity...  Or maybe the recorder is the student who "won" the game last week, and this is the reward.  You know your students, use your judgement on this one.  :o)