I don't, sorry. We just review the word wall words in the morning, and I try to have them use the words regularly.
hmm today I introduced the word wall...What I did was clap each letter of the word with the kids, then say the word together. You can also do hand movements with each letter, or with each syllable. There is a huge list of chants in the curriculum binder that I use,s so you may want to google some chants too!
You could also teach your class the ASL alphabet and have them spell the words in sign language. By using sign language, it is not only multi-sensory, but also reinforces correct spelling by forcing them to concentrate on the order of the letters.
We have a cheer for every word wall word. We stand up and clap each letter as we say the cheer--clap high for tall letters, medium for regular letters and low for "hangy" letters. Here are a few examples of our cheers (We repeat each saying 3 times, for repetition) l-i-k-e, I LIKE to ride my bike. (Pretending to ride bike) l-i-k-e, I LIKE to ride my bike. l-i-k-e, I LIKEto ride my bike. Hey, class.... is there an "a" in they? NO WAY! t-h-e-y, they, they, they. t-h-e-y, they, they they. t-h-e-y, they they they. i-n, in went the pin (ouch!) i-n, in went the pin (ouch!) i-n, in went the pin (ouch!)
I think there is a whole sheet of them at www.hellofirstgrade.com You might have to search in the literacy section.
Teacher: "Give me an A!" Kids: "A" T: "Give me an N!" k: "N" T: "Give me a D!" K: "D" T: "What's that spell?!" K: "And!" Teacher: "Let's spell AND!" Teacher and Kids: "A! You've got your A, you've got your A! N! You've got your N, you've got your N! D! You've got your D, You've got you D! What's that spell?! AND!!" Doing a little dance while singing this adds extra fun! Also- you can have the kids act something out while spelling a sight word. Volcano Cheer- crouch down with hands on floor and with each letter, move closer to the sky, then at the end of the word, shoot out arms like lava coming out of a volcano. Robot Cheer- act like a robot while saying each letter. Soccer Cheer- pretend to kick ball in front of you when you say each letter. Zombie Cheer- hold hands out in front acting like your a zombie and sway back and forth while saying each letter. Valley Girl Cheer- say "like" after each letter and twirl hair. You, and the kids, can make up pretty much any fun action to go with any word you're reviewing.
Sounds like great ideas!! What do you think about doing word wall cheers to practice weekly spelling words???
We do movements for each letter. We crouch down for the "low" letters, put our hands on our hips for the "normal" letters, and put our hands up in the air for "high" letters. When we finish spelling, we pump our fist in the air as we say the word. My kids love it so far.
That's kind of like what I do: -For letters that touch the top line, we put our hands up. -For letters that are between the middle and bottom lines, we put our hands on our hips. -For letters that go below the bottom line, we put our hands down. Today we did the word "my" so we began with our hands at our sides and said "m" while putting our hands on our hips, and "y" while putting our hands down. Their favorite part is when we try to do it the fasted we possibly can.
I have seen several "cheers." Hollywood style: Say the word, and, when spelling it out, blow kisses like a movie star...each letter=1 kiss. I just Googled "Word Wall Cheers" and found this: Blast Off- start crouched at the floor as you say each letter get a little higher, jump in the air at the end of the word. Hand Jive-pair up kids to clap for consonants and lap clap for vowels. Back Tracer- place students in a circle and have them trace the letters on a partner's back. Mouse- squeaky voice with hands curled up by face. Robot- in robotic voice with arms moving back in forth. Chicken- arms folded up to make wings and head moving forward. Nose- hold your nose and spell it. Cheer It- just like your cheerleading days! Pat- pat our heads for tall leaders, tummies for short letters and knees for letters that go below the line Snap and Clap- we snap for the vowel and clap for tape. Raise the Roof- push up to the ceiling for each letter. Disco- hand up for consonants and down for vowels. Box It- pretend to box the letters out. Throw it to the Stars- throw the letters up to the ceiling. Be the Letter- like the YMCA song. Mexican Hat Dance- alternate feet on the floor. Stomping- just stomp for feet for each letter. Explosion- whisper, normal, and loud. Hula- hands on hips, swivel, hands in air to say word. Jumping Jacks- one letter for each movement. Batter Up- swing the letters. Motorcycle- use your handbars and do wheelies. Dribble and Shoot- Dribble letters and shoot the word. Push-Ups- they love the teacher doing this one! Blowing Kisses- one for each letter and both hands for the word. Pass the Ball- sit in a circle and pass to say a letter
This thread made me join this forum. I started using the high clap, mid-level clap, and low clap strategy thanks to post #5 (thanks, hojalata!) and other contributors. I simplified it: Give me a d (high clap, kids shout d) give me an a (mid-level clap, kids shout a) give me a y (low clap, kids shout y). What does it spell? (Kids shout day!) How do we spell it? (Kids shout and clap out d-a-y in the varied levels). What does it spell? (Kids shout out, day!) Oh, and as I'm asking the initial 'give me a _____ part, I write the letter on the white board, to scaffold for the kids who are still learning the sight words. I leave all the words on the board and at the end have them chorally read all the words, or I pick students (using name sticks) to find a word and erase it. I do it quickly, and full of energy, and vary between the kids sitting on the rug and standing.
