I play a spelling game with my class every Friday called “Sparkle”. They LOVE this game and literally beg me to play it.
Everyone stands in a circle. I let the special helper start first. I hold up one of six spelling words we’ve been practicing. Everyone has a quick look at it then I hide the word. The kids take turns spelling the word (one letter per child at a time). When the word has been correctly spelled, the next person says “sparkle” and the next person sits down.
Eg., Spelling word = when
Person A says “w”. Person B says “h”. Person C says “e”. Person D says “n”. Person E says “Sparkle” and Person F sits down.
The game continues in this fashion until there is one person left standing.
For the second round I don’t show the words, I just say them.
The game moves VERY quickly. Anyone who says the wrong letter or doesn’t say sparkle (because they’re not sure if that’s the end of the spelling …. or maybe they weren’t paying attention) has to sit down.
The kids are super focused and happily it’s not always the best spellers who win.
We usually play at least 3 or 4 rounds.
Hope someone can use this game! Let me know what you think if you try it.
JOIN THE NEWSLETTER! NEVER MISS FREEBIES & UPDATES
What a great game! I love it!MichelleApples and ABC's
I love it!!! What a cute and creative way to make those spelling drills (which are so important) seem so fun!!Thanks for sharing and I will keep this little treasure of an idea in my resource notes for sure…MichelleThe 3AM Teacher
My kids love this game too!!Barbarahappyteachingfirst.blogspot.com
Love Sparkle!JenniferFirst Grade Blue SKies
We play Sparkle too! It's a great game.DeeFirst Impressions
My kids LOVE this game!Quench Your First
Barbara, we play this often too and it is fabulous! My kids love it! I used it when I taught 2nd and now with my 1st graders. :)Mariewww.cotesclass.blogspot.com
My kids love Sparkle. I love that it makes them have to pay attention as well as know how to spell the word. Ms. Kerri and her Krazy Kindergarten
Your right, the kiddo love this game. We play it almost every week!!!❤First Grade Delight❤ imgoingfirst@gmail.com
Sparkle is a favorite in all my classes!Lori (luvyorkies@gmail.com)Teaching With Love and Laughter
Love your blog! I am your newest follower!learnplayandhavefun.blogspot.comJessica
Thank you for sharing Sparkle. I was just thinking I need to change up my spelling routine! I love all the great ideas you post on your blog.
I love Sparkle. I've used it more in math for counting backwards,and skip counting reviews. My kids beg me to play it all the time! Thanks for sharing your idea for using spelling words, I'm definitely going to try that method.
Oh wow! What a hoot. I didn't know this game was so popular. That's really cool 🙂
Thanks, Jessica!
Thanks, Janice!
You're very welcome 🙂
I've played that one for years and yes, the kids LOVE it! We do it with counting, too. I show a flashcard from 1-20 and we count that many, then Sparkle, and sit down.
How fun! Thanks for sharing this!AnitaMrs. Bremer’s Kindergarten
I play it with math when we do counting by 2s 5s or 10s. We designate a number as the out number. It sounds just the same except no one says sparkle. I will have to try sparkle too! The book looks great too! And you run too!!?? 🙂Tunstall's Teaching Tidbits
Sparkle sounds so fun!! Even though we only have 6 days of school left…we may have to play that! Thanks!!!
My kids love this game too! We play by sitting on our desks, when you are out, you sit in your chair. They love it!
That's a cool idea, Raina. I may have to try that 🙂