The Spelling Bee Game

Objective

Students use the LEGO DUPLO Letters Set to practice spelling and identifying words that they are expected to be familiar with.

Description

Students will be given a word orally. Then they will use the lettered tiles to spell out the word. If a student correctly spells the word, then they receive a LEGO or DUPLO brick. The student (or students) with the most bricks at the end of the game is declared the Spelling Bee Champ.

Procedures

During class activity:

1. The teacher gives each student a building plate and a set of the lettered tiles. (If the number of sets is limited, then the students may work in pairs or teams.)
2. When the students are ready, the teacher will instruct them to spell out a word that they should be familiar with. ("Please spell the word….")
3. When finished, the students raise their building plates in the air and the teacher inspects them.
4. After all boards have been raised, the teacher goes to the chalkboard or uses one of the extra letter boards and correctly spells out the word.
5. Each student who has correctly spelled out each word receives a LEGO or DUPLO brick (whichever is available in the classroom).
6. The student (or students) with the most bricks at the end of the game is declared the Spelling Bee Champ.

Discussion

1. After each child has finished spelling the word, the teacher can aid the students in correcting their mistakes. This can be done by sounding out the word phonetically, and/or by repeating the word and asking questions such as "What letter makes this sound?"
2. In addition to corrections, the teacher can also discuss with the students the meanings of each word. Questions such as "Who can tell me what this word means?" "Where have you seen this word?" or "Who can tell me about an experience they have had with the word?" can aid in developing vocabulary, memorization, and communication skills.

Continuation

If extra practice on writing skills is needed:
After each word has been correctly spelled, ask the students to write out the word on paper; using the tiles as a guideline and reminder of how each letter is supposed to look. This can then be turned in after the game for review.