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• Language Arts

Grade

• K-2
• 3-5
• 6-8

Brief Description

Students play a game in which they see how many words they can form from a scoop of lima bean letters.

Objectives

Students will

• practice forming and spelling words.

Keywords

spelling

Materials Needed

• lidded container, such as a coffee can, and a scoop -- one of each for each student
• fine-line permanent markers, one for each student
• up to 50 large dried lima beans for each student
• dictionary
• timer (optional)

Lesson Plan

• Provide each student with an appropriate number of large lima beans, a lidded container, a scoop, and a fine-line permanent marker. Have students print a letter of the alphabet on each lima bean. Older students should make four or five beans for every vowel, at least two beans for every consonant, and extra beans for letters such as S, T, L, M, and N. Younger students can make fewer lima bean letters, using only the letters necessary to create words on their spelling lists. Have students place the beans in the can with a scoop.
• Invite students to shake the cans, use the scoops to remove some beans, and then see how many words they can form using the letters on the beans. Tell students to be sure to write down each word.
• Have students use a dictionary to check their words. You might ask them to include a definition for each word they formed.

Assessment

Evaluate students on the number of correct words they form.

Lesson Plan Source

This lesson plan was adapted slightly from Bueno Brothers' Bean Dip, one of a number of Spelling and Vocabulary Plans from the Teacher's Desk.

Submitted By

Linda Starr

National Standards

Language Arts:
  NL-ENG.K-12.6