To insure interest in learning spelling from boys and girls alike...try my basketball spelling game. First go to a houseware store and buy a small plastic basket, next you need some colored tape(electric type), I used yellow, then a piece of cardboard for the backstop, and a music stand(I had one in my class). The music stand and the basket are a smalll expense when compared to the fun the students will receive. Attach the basket and the backstop(I drew a smilley face on my backstop with the square just like a real backstop). You can get a small imitation basketball at any toy store. Use the colored tape on the floor for a close shot = 1pt. and a bit further back=2pts. Then you can play anyway you like. I divide the class into two teams using NBA names. I have two students go to the board and using chalk spell a word I give them. The first one to finish with a correctly spelled word gets two pts. the other student gets 1pt. if his word is spelled correctly or none if it is spelled incrorrectly. Then the student that won the race gets a bonus shot with the small basketball. He can add 1pt at the short line or 2pts at the long line if he/she makes the shot. Try this game...you will find the students are motivated to learn all the spelling words you give them.
John Tatum
Making a small basketball goal for a spelling game
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