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Bendy Stick Spelling Practice

By thisreadingmama 5 Comments

Spelling practice. Just those two words together may drudge up bad memories. I know they do for me. Write your words five times each. Write each word in a sentence. That dreaded spelling test. Yuck! Spelling practice doesn’t have to equate to boring or monotonous. It can actually be engaging and dare I say it…FUN!

Bendy Stick Spelling Practice | This Reading Mama

*This post contains affiliate links.

Spelling practice is vitally important for spelling AND reading. In order for kids, especially beginning and struggling readers, to learn the phonics patterns associated with words, even within sight words, they need to slow down and study words out of the context of a book. Spelling practice isn’t always something kids want to do. {I know. It’s shocking!} But when you can integrate a fun tool, spelling can become fresh and even fun.

This spelling practice idea is one that I used in the classroom at my spelling center. Once I introduced it, my class wanted me to keep it at the center permanently! I’ve been using it at home for some time, but just recently, I created lined templates to keep my Kindergartner on track with his handwriting, too. {Find the free downloads at the end of this post.}

Bendy Sticks Spelling Practice

I created two templates for our Wikki Stix {you could also use Bendaroos}; 1- for my Kindergartner, who is mostly spelling 3-letter and 4-letter words, and 2- one for my 3rd grader who needed more space for longer words. Both templates are included in the pack.

I printed the templates out on card stock {although regular copy paper could work, too} and slipped them into plastic sleeve protectors. Because my boys enjoyed this so much, I will end up laminating the templates.

 

using wikki stix for spelling practice

My boys used the Wikki Stix, cut them apart when needed, and spelled their sight words with them. {You could totally have kids spell phonics-based words as well.}

 

writing spelling words after using wikki stix

I extended the activity by asking the boys to write the words they had spelled on a special “bendy stick” recording sheet I had made. I encouraged my Kindergartner to look carefully at how he had formed his letters with his Wikki Stix and then use the same format for writing his spelling words {since he really likes to use capital letters or write all over the lines}. Again, I made a bigger one for my Kindergartner and a smaller one that can accommodate more words, for my 3rd grader. Both recording sheets are included in this free pack.

 

More Spelling Ideas

Teaching Kids to Spell: A Developmental Approach to Spelling by Becky Spence

 

$9.99Add to cart

  • Teaching Kids to Spell {A Developmental Approach to Spelling} contains TONS of spelling resources to make it hands-on AND developmentally appropriate
  • 50 Hands-On Spelling Activities
  • DIY Spelling Word Search Puzzles
  • Spelling Word Bump!

 

Follow This Reading Mama’s board Hands-On Spelling Ideas on Pinterest.

 

Download this FREE Bendy Stick Printable HERE.

 

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Filed Under: Teaching Spelling Tagged With: SWS

« Teaching the Alphabet to Reluctant Learners
Go on a Word Search after Reading {and Giveaway!} »

Comments

  1. Charity says

    January 24, 2015 at 7:28 am

    Could you use pipe cleaners for this project?

    Reply
    • thisreadingmama says

      January 24, 2015 at 11:24 am

      I’m sure you could. 🙂

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. FREE Spelling Practice Bendy-stick Game | Free Homeschool Deals © says:
    January 21, 2015 at 11:56 pm

    […] Reading Mama has a FREE bendy stick spelling practice printable activity. She shares in this great post how to use these tools and what makes them […]

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  2. HUGE List of Free Homeschool Curriculum & Resources - Money Saving Mom® says:
    January 25, 2015 at 12:00 am

    […] FREE Spelling Practice Bendy-stick Game is a creative and fun way to practice […]

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  3. HUGE List of Free Homeschool Curriculum & Resources | Internet Marketing News says:
    January 25, 2015 at 7:08 pm

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Hi! I’m Becky, a homeschooling mama with 4 blessings who keep me on my toes {and knees}. Before homeschooling, I was a classroom teacher (M.Ed.) and reading tutor. Read more about me here.

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