Silent Team Spelling

Subjects

• Arts & Humanities

Grade

• K-2
• 3-5

Brief Description

In this spelling game, students review words in silent teams and then raise their hands as a group to show that the word is complete and spelled correctly.

Objectives

Students

• review spelling words.
• work cooperatively in groups.
• express themselves appropriately without words.

Keywords

spelling, game, words, cards

Materials Needed

• list of spelling words
• one set of letter cards or tiles for each group of students

Lesson Plan

"Unanimouse" Spelling requires students to do more than spell words. In this game, students must work together, without their voices, to spell words and then unanimously agree on the correct spelling.

To begin, create a list of spelling words for review. Prepare sets of letter cards or tiles for the number of student groups you will form. Groups should ideally contain no more than four students, and each group will need enough letters to form each word on your list. Watch for letters repeated within words. (For example, "Amazonian" requires three As and two Ns!) Letters written on index cards or magnetic letters work well for this activity.

Separate your students into small groups. Distribute a set of letters to each group. Explain that the students will take turns spelling words that you read. When a player takes his turn and spells a word, the others may help him or her correct it, but they cannot speak. When all members of the group are satisfied that the word is correct, they raise their hands together. The teacher will call on the first group with hands raised and have that group spell the word aloud. If it is correct, that team receives a point. If not, play continues until the word is spelled correctly. A new word is then announced.

Variations