Lesson One: Spelling/Vocabulary
Spelling Hit or Miss
Students will enter spelling and/or vocabulary words on a prepared grid, and use the grid to play a game in pairs similar to "Battleship".
Supplies:
1 prepared grid for each student
1 wipe-off marker per student
A list of spelling/vocabulary words (although more than one list can be used, be sure that partners are both sharing the same word lists)
Directions:
1: Prepare grids in advance by creating a simple 16 square X 16 square table, with the vertices labeled A through O, and the horizontals labeled 1 through 15. Make 1 photocopy per student (I made 30). Lay the file folder sideways so that the fold is facing away from you; open it. Lay the photocopy on the half of the folder which is closest to you. Tape it in place, face up, with the letters near the fold and the numbers along the left edge of the folder. (you've done it right if the upper half of the folder can be used as a privacy screen so that the student's partner cannot see his/her grid). If you wish, cover the photocopy with a 9x12 piece of clear contact paper to further protect it.
2: Distribute one grid folder to each student, ensure everyone has a wipe-off writer of some sort to play the game.
3: Seat students in pairs.
4: Have each student copy a specific number of spelling /vocabulary words onto their own grid, placing one letter in each square and writing them only frontwards and backwards either horizontally or vertically (not on a diagonal). I generally tell them to use 10-15 words. Remind students they cannot skip blocks in the middle of a word (i.e., they cannot write R-I-blank square-V-E-R .), and to keep their grids covered. Tell them how much time you are allowing for this activity (I would allow a minimum of 30 minutes).
5: Students within pairs begin guessing where their partner has hidden words. This is done by asking, for example, for B-1. If their partner has a word crossing B-1, they will tell only what letter is found in B-1, not identifying the actually word that has been "hit". If there is no word crossing B-1, this is a "miss".
6: Students continue playing as long as time allows.
7: Have students erase their own boards before you collect them and any pencils/markers you've loaned.
