YourDictionary is all about word games, study aids and fun ways to learn to spell. On this page, we've brought together some of our favorite activities for mastering the oddities of English orthography. All is divided according to grade level, so these activities to practice spelling words are accessible fun for learners of all ages.
YourDictionary is all about word games, study aids and fun ways to learn to spell. On this page, we've brought together some of our favorite activities for mastering the oddities of English orthography. All is divided according to grade level, so these activities to practice spelling words are accessible fun for learners of all ages.
These games are appropriate for kindergartners up through students in the 2nd grade.
These activities should suit students in grades 3 through 5.
These activities are suited for everyone from 6th grade students all the way to adults.
Have you ever been writing something and thought, "I really need to practice my spelling?" You are not alone. Very few individuals have gone on to become spelling bee champions. Virtually every English speaker struggles with some aspect of spelling.
But, you may be asking, fun activities or not, why bother learning to spell? Just about every text-based application has a spell check these days. Given that the Spelling Robot is so ubiquitous, why worry over being able to spell yourself? Truth be told, in some ways, the advent of spell check has made the situation worse.
The days of the prominence of handwritten communication are obviously in decline. But, as things grow scarcer, they gain value. A handwritten letter can speak volumes. A handwritten essay on a test can make up a large proportion of a student's grade. Both are guaranteed to turn out worse if riddled with spelling errors.
It is an unfortunate truth that while spell check does decrease the need for individuals to know how to spell, it also makes a spelling error stick out like a sore thumb. It's all too easy for even a small slip in spelling to suggest carelessness or cluelessness on the part of the author.
Spell check isn't perfect. As long as the word you've written is in English somewhere, the friendly robot will let it fly. Is it the right word? Have you been bamboozled by homonyms or homophones, or straight up misremembered a word? Are you certain you're using the right version of "there"?
The computer may not know. The person reading will. That's why it's important to make those judgments for yourself.
We write a lot about word games here at YourDictionary; in fact, we have a sister project dedicated solely to the subject. Crossword puzzles don't come with a spell check. That would rather defeat the point. If you want to play, you'll need to learn to spell.
Spelling may not be as much of a priority as it was in the ancient days of No Spell Check, but it's still a fundamental part of understanding the English language. For students learning English as a second (or third, or fourth) language, learning how spelling in English works is especially important.
For more on the joys of spelling, check out WordFinder! It's our word game site, which means it's all about spelling words right. Did you know there are words that start with X, or others that end in Q? Happy browsing!
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