Kindergarten Lesson Plans: Spelling

Introduction: This lesson plan focuses on the introduction of high-frequency words as well as a short list of word family words. The high-frequency words targeted in this lesson are: the, to, and, a. The “am” word family is also focused on, using the words: jam, yam, ram, bam, ham. The lesson guides you through how to introduce the words and provides you with three activities to reinforce reading and writing the words.

Skills:

• reading and writing high-frequency words
• reading and writing words from the “am” word family 

Materials:

• chart paper
• 5 different colored markers
• mini-whiteboards and markers or clipboards, paper, and pencils
• Printable Activity Worksheets:
  • one copy of “Kindergarten Spelling Word Wall Cards”
  • “Box-a-Word” worksheet for each student
  • “Kindergarten Word Scramble” for each student
  • “Kindergarten Word Search Puzzle” for each student

Preparation:

• The teacher will need lined chart paper to write on. Position the chart paper where all students can easily see it.
• Each student needs either a mini-whiteboard and marker or alternatively, a clipboard or other hard surface, paper, and pencil.
• Print the “Kindergarten Spelling Word Wall Cards” and cut out each word.
• Print “Box-a-Word,” “Kindergarten Word Scramble,” and “Kindergarten Word Search Puzzle.” You will need copies for each student. You may wish to put them in a booklet format. 

Whole Group Lesson:

Write a message on the chart paper to read with your students, using the words: the, to, and, a, am. Example: I am going to a restaurant and to the movies. You may wish to change the words “restaurant” and “movies” to suit the needs in your classroom.

Read the sentence with your students. To support their reading, you may wish to add a small picture above the word “restaurant” and “movie.” Read the sentence together as a class.

Ask a volunteer to locate the word “the.” Circle the word. Have students write the word “the” on their whiteboards or paper. Add the word “the” to your word wall, using the word wall printable.

Have students repeat the process of locating words on the chart paper and writing them on their whiteboards for the remaining words: to, and, a, am. Circle each word on the chart paper using a different colored marker. Add the words to your word wall.

Talk further about the word “am” with your students. Ask them to think of words that rhyme with “am.” Make a list of their ideas on the chart paper. It may be helpful to write “am” in one color and the beginning sound in a different color. This will highlight for students how “am” is present in every word and that they are creating new words simply by adding one letter/sound to the beginning.     

Independent Practice:

Provide each student with a copy of the Box-a-Word worksheet or booklet of three worksheets (but focus on Box-a-Word today). Circulate around the room, supporting as necessary, as they complete the worksheet.

Use the word scramble then word search worksheets on subsequent days.

Extensions:

• Use the word wall cards to have the students chant, clap, and spell the words.
• Have students practice writing the words using other modalities such as salt trays, chalkboards, sand, or paint.
• Have students use the words in their journal writing. You may wish to give them a sentence starter using one of the words, such as “I am…” or “The cat is…”
• Choose books for guided reading that contain the words being learned.
• Write a daily message on chart paper using the targeted words, to read together with your students.
• Have students draw pictures to illustrate the “am” words. 

Adapt this lesson plan and teach weekly spelling in grades K-2nd. Get more weekly spelling worksheets from PrimaryLearning.org