• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
  • About
  • Shop
  • Press
  • Media Kit
  • Contact
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • TikTok

teach mama logo

teach mama

helps families connect & build bridges between home & school, by amy mascott

  • early literacy
    • alphabet
    • beginning sounds
    • phonics
    • phonological awareness
    • read-aloud learning
    • rhyming
    • sight words
  • reading
    • books
    • comprehension
      • activating schema
      • connecting
      • inferring
      • predicting
      • questioning
      • retelling / summarizing
      • visualizing
    • concepts of print
    • environmental print
    • fluency
    • non-fiction
    • spelling
    • word building
    • word consciousness
    • vocabulary
  • writing
    • creative writing
    • grammar
    • informative writing
    • tripod grip
  • math
    • computation
    • counting
    • numbers
  • science
    • animals
    • plants
    • science experiments for kids
  • Activities
    • birthdays
    • cooking
      • new for us foods
    • crafts
    • foundations
      • colors
      • critical thinking
      • fine arts
      • listening
      • pretend play
      • sorting
      • speaking
    • holidays
      • new year’s
      • valentine’s day
      • president’s day
      • st. patrick’s day
      • april fool’s day
      • easter
      • mother’s day
      • teacher appreciation
      • father’s day
      • july 4th
      • halloween
      • thanksgiving
      • christmas
    • family life
      • family fun
      • giving back
      • lunchbox love notes
      • school
    • indoor activities
    • outdoor activities
  • digital literacy
    • computer time
    • iPad for learning
  • early literacy
    • alphabet
    • beginning sounds
    • phonics
    • phonological awareness
    • read-aloud learning
    • rhyming
    • sight words
  • reading
    • books
    • comprehension
      • activating schema
      • connecting
      • inferring
      • predicting
      • questioning
      • retelling / summarizing
      • visualizing
    • concepts of print
    • environmental print
    • fluency
    • non-fiction
    • spelling
    • word building
    • word consciousness
    • vocabulary
  • writing
    • creative writing
    • grammar
    • informative writing
    • tripod grip
  • math
    • computation
    • counting
    • numbers
  • science
    • animals
    • plants
    • science experiments for kids
  • Activities
    • birthdays
    • cooking
      • new for us foods
    • crafts
    • foundations
      • colors
      • critical thinking
      • fine arts
      • listening
      • pretend play
      • sorting
      • speaking
    • holidays
      • new year’s
      • valentine’s day
      • president’s day
      • st. patrick’s day
      • april fool’s day
      • easter
      • mother’s day
      • teacher appreciation
      • father’s day
      • july 4th
      • halloween
      • thanksgiving
      • christmas
    • family life
      • family fun
      • giving back
      • lunchbox love notes
      • school
    • indoor activities
    • outdoor activities
  • digital literacy
    • computer time
    • iPad for learning
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

a game for practicing spelling, sight words, or letters: WORDO!

home / early literacy / a game for practicing spelling, sight words, or letters: WORDO!
1.7K shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Print

a game for practicing spelling, sight words, or letters: WORDO | teachmama.com

With the end of the school year quickly approaching, we’re all getting antsy for summer.

So I’ve had to be super crafty during our work time in order to keep Maddy, Owen, and Cora engaged and excited.ย  As I’ve said before, most days I go with whatever Owen and Cora are up for doing, but at least 2-3 times a week I sneak in some deliberate math or literacy learning.

This week and last, I’ve hit the jackpot with a game that everyone wants to play–Maddy included.ย  WORDO! WORDO! totally rocks because it’s so completely adaptable to just about every game you need, similar to our pal, Tic-Tac-Toe. We’ve used WORDO! to practice Maddy’s spelling words (a very difficult list. . .), to practice sight words with Owen, and to practice letter writing and recognition with Cora. All at the same time.

I haven’t pulled out WORDO! for ages (gulp! it was the summer before Maddy entered kindergarten!), but when I finally did, they all loved it.

WORDO! is crazy simple. Here’s what we did:

  • WORDO! (to practice spelling words, sight words, letters–or just about anything!): All you need to play WORDO! is a board and some cards to flash.

You can download the wordo boardsย here as a pdf, and there are four boards in the document.

a game for practicing spelling, sight words, or letters: WORDO!

 

Maddy plays WORDO! to practice spelling words.

To play WORDO!, every player gets a board. These WORDO! boards have nine boxes, 3 x 3.

And then depending on what your focus is–spelling words, sight words, letters, numbers, family names, whatever–each person chooses nine words from a set of flash cards to write in the boxes. A different word goes in each box.

Then, just like BINGO, someone flips the cards, and when a word is chosen that’s on your board, you cover it up. We play that a full board wins.

Maddy remembered playing the game, so when I suggested that Owen, Cora, and I play while Maddy finished her homework, she said, Noooooo! I want to play. Pleasepleaseplease? I can do my spelling words! It’ll be perfect.

So that’s what we did. She took a break from her work, got her spelling word cards, and chose nine words for her board.

a game for practicing spelling, sight words, or letters: WORDO!

Owen chooses the sight words he wants for his WORDO! board.

While Maddy wrote her words, Owen chose nine words from his early emergent word list.

When he was finished, I gave him high fives, and then I placed 3-4 word cards next to the board. I said, You did a great job, Owen, writing these words, but take a minute to double-check these three (or four) words before we begin.

I did this so that he was checking his work and so it wasn’t me who was saying, Oh great job but this is wrong and this is wrong and this is wrong. . .

Presenting kiddos with something along the line of ‘check your work‘ helps them recognize their successes (Hey! MY word looks just like the word on the card–I’m CORRECT!!) and it helps them recognize when they need to revise (Whoops–there’s an ‘n’ instead of an ‘m’ at the end of ‘can’; I better change it!).

a game for practicing spelling, sight words, or letters: WORDO!ย a game for practicing spelling, sight words, or letters: WORDO!

Owen checks the words on his board. . .

. . . and here he’s playing game 2 (or 3 or 4)!

a game for practicing spelling, sight words, or letters: WORDO!

I pulled nine uppercase alphabet letters for Cora to use for her WORDO! boards. The first time I pulled the letters of her name, and several letters I knew she frequently mixed up (M/ W) and then some ones I knew she could write easily (O, X, P).

I wanted her to practice the letters of her name, I wanted to challenge her a little, and I wanted her to have some certain successes.

 

So after each board was created, Maddy, Owen, and Cora each had a small pile of 12 cards next to them.ย  Nine of the cards were definitely on their board, and the three extra would throw them off a bit, mix-up our game a little.

Once everyone was ready and had nine markers–either ‘gems’ from our gem jar, beads from our bead box, or a combo of both.ย ย  I’d say, Okay. . . FLIP! and they’d flip a card, search for it on their board, and cover it if they had it. That’s it.

And the first person to fill his or her board yelled, WORDO! as loud as he or she could. (I secretly think this was everyone’s favorite part.)

a game for practicing spelling, sight words, or letters: WORDO!

 

Cora carefully covers the letters on her board.

ย a game for practicing spelling, sight words, or letters: WORDO!

So we played WORDO! for a few days last week and a few days this week, and the kids have been happy. I’m betting the long weekend ahead will knock us out of our WORDO! craze, but if it doesn’t, we’ll just keep playing.

I like it because it works for everyone–Maddy, Owen, and Cora, and though it was tough at first to get everyone into the swing of flipping together, we have it now, and it’s cool.ย  Everyone waits, everyone helps, and everyone celebrates. . . most of the time.

a game for practicing spelling, sight words, or letters: WORDO!

Sometimes we mix it up, and here’s how:

  • we use M & M’s for our markers (looove this one!)
  • they write with rainbow colors on their board
  • they choose each others’ words/ letters
  • they flip for each other
  • they use stickers as markers. . .

Our summertime plan is to:

  • introduce Owen to theย upper emergent words
  • maybe throw in an early fluency wordsย or evenย fluency words
  • review Maddy’s spelling words–pull from the lists she’s covered this past year
  • use alphabet cards and number cardsย for Maddy and Owen so they can learnย spelling list-math words list 1
  • continue alphabet cards & games teachmama.comfor Cora, trying uppercase and mix in some lowercase

And that’s it–a little bit of learning, a lot of fun, and a teeny bit of our day! Happy WORDO! playing!

Want a few more alphabet activities? Check out:

  • backyard alphabet hunt
  • homemade alphabet book
  • leafy letter learning
  • ABC hunt
  • on the road ABC hunt
  • lowercase ABC hunt
  • build your own bingo: uppercase and lowercase match
  • ABC cards and clothespin match
  • alphabet letter splash
  • alphabingo (play with lowercase letters)
  • alphabet letter lids
  • leafy outdoor alphabet hunt
  • build your own board game
  • clothespin letter match
  • 10 fun ways to learn theย alphabet

 

Follow us on pinterest, and check out our literacy pins:

Follow amy mascott @teachmama’s board literacy on Pinterest.

You May Also Like...

  • successful school year
    how every family can start the school year off right
  • photo books for kids and family: 15 best, coolest, most clever and creative
    photo books for kids and family: 15 best, coolest, most clever and creative
  • Navigating Education in a Time of Uncertainty: A Virtual Summit for Educators
    Navigating Education in a Time of Uncertainty: A Virtual Summit for Educators

About amy mascott

teacher, mother, dreamer. lover of literacy, fun learning, good food, and three crazy-cool kids. finder of four-leaf clovers | dc metro ยท http://about.me/amymascott
tweet with me: @teachmama

Previous Post:how kids can–and should–help with gardening
Next Post:learning during read-alouds: activating schemaactivating schema get kids ready for reading

Sidebar

amy mascott profile blog

join the coolest club around:

View
Open
Quick! Thereโ€™s still time to see if your area is registered to participate in this yearโ€™s National Civics Bee! #ad

Click the link in my bio to learn more and to grab a TON of free resources for families and educators. 

This yearโ€™s registration deadline is approaching, but you still have time! 

What better way to get students to engage in civics and contribute to their communities? 

https://teachmama.com/bring-the-national-civics-bee-to-your-community/

#CivicsBuzz #strongcommunities #middleschool #civicsbee #teachersofIG
View
Open
Have you heard of The National Civics Bee? #ad 

The National Civics Bee is an initiative aimed at encouraging more young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. 

Organized in partnership with The Civic Trust of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the competition in your community will inspire middle schoolers to become better informed about American democracy, to engage respectfully and constructively in the community, and to build greater trust in others and institutions. 

Learn how to bring The National Civics Bee to YOUR community now: https://teachmama.com/bring-the-national-civics-bee-to-your-community/

Iโ€™m thrilled to have partnered with @mom_select and @civicsbuzz for this exciting campaign! โ™ฅ๏ธ๐Ÿค๐Ÿ’™

#CivicsBuzz #middleschoolers #teachersofIG #communitypartners
View
Open
Oh HEEEEEYYY, @luvvie โ€” did you see that @littletroublemaker made our hallway bulletin board? ๐Ÿ˜‰โ™ฅ๏ธ

(Itโ€™s what Rusty the ๐ŸฆŠ is currently reading.) 

Find it at your favorite bookstore or order here: https://amzn.to/3Pu3tWs

(This is my affiliate link, so when you use it, I will earn a small percentage of the sale, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for using my link and supporting my small business!)

#readingteacher #raiseareader #kidlit #bestbooks #linkinbio
View
Open
How can people with dyslexia learn to read? ๐Ÿค”

Here are the 3๏ธโƒฃ elements that reading instruction should contain in order to be most effective for students with dyslexiaโ€”

#demystifyingdyslexia #raiseareader #readingteacher #teachreading #dyslexiaawareness
View
Open
Lately when I find four leaf clovers, Iโ€™ve been leaving them. ๐Ÿ€๐Ÿคท๐Ÿผโ€โ™€๏ธ

So if youโ€™re in Maryland, and you happen upon a lonely, little 4-leafer with very little grass, weeds, or leaves around it, I donโ€™t know WHO tried to set you up for success.

#yougotthis #keepyoureyesopen #itsthelittlethings #kilpattyluck
View
Open
Okayโ€”how do we know if someone has dyslexia? 

Which professionas are able to make that important determination? 

โ–ถ๏ธ Watch to find out. 

Hit me with the questions you still have about dyslexiaโ€”and know we have a few more posts to go!

#demystifyingdyslexia #raiseareader #teachreading #readingteachersofig
View
Open
What are some of the common signs of dyslexia?

Watch to learn and find out!

#demystifyingdyslexia #readingteacher #raiseareader #teachreading #dyslexia
View
Open
True โœ… or false โŒ?

#demystifyingdyslexia #dyslexiaeducation #readingteacher #raiseareader #teachreading
View
Open
What do you know about dyslexia? 

What questions do you have about dyslexia? 

For the next few weeks leading up to my own start to the school year I am sharing a new series called โ€œDe-Mystifying Dyslexiaโ€ and I would love for you to join me! 

Follow in my stories or on the highlight above!

#dyslexia #teading  #readingteacher #raiseareader #demystifyingdyslexia

our books

setting the stage for rock-star readers
raise a reader

Find Us On Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • TikTok
  • Amazon

Helpful Links

  • About
  • Contact
  • Press
  • Media Kit
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy

Follow Us On Instagram

View
Open
Quick! Thereโ€™s still time to see if your area is registered to participate in this yearโ€™s National Civics Bee! #ad

Click the link in my bio to learn more and to grab a TON of free resources for families and educators. 

This yearโ€™s registration deadline is approaching, but you still have time! 

What better way to get students to engage in civics and contribute to their communities? 

https://teachmama.com/bring-the-national-civics-bee-to-your-community/

#CivicsBuzz #strongcommunities #middleschool #civicsbee #teachersofIG
View
Open
Have you heard of The National Civics Bee? #ad 

The National Civics Bee is an initiative aimed at encouraging more young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. 

Organized in partnership with The Civic Trust of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the competition in your community will inspire middle schoolers to become better informed about American democracy, to engage respectfully and constructively in the community, and to build greater trust in others and institutions. 

Learn how to bring The National Civics Bee to YOUR community now: https://teachmama.com/bring-the-national-civics-bee-to-your-community/

Iโ€™m thrilled to have partnered with @mom_select and @civicsbuzz for this exciting campaign! โ™ฅ๏ธ๐Ÿค๐Ÿ’™

#CivicsBuzz #middleschoolers #teachersofIG #communitypartners
View
Open
Oh HEEEEEYYY, @luvvie โ€” did you see that @littletroublemaker made our hallway bulletin board? ๐Ÿ˜‰โ™ฅ๏ธ

(Itโ€™s what Rusty the ๐ŸฆŠ is currently reading.) 

Find it at your favorite bookstore or order here: https://amzn.to/3Pu3tWs

(This is my affiliate link, so when you use it, I will earn a small percentage of the sale, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for using my link and supporting my small business!)

#readingteacher #raiseareader #kidlit #bestbooks #linkinbio
View
Open
How can people with dyslexia learn to read? ๐Ÿค”

Here are the 3๏ธโƒฃ elements that reading instruction should contain in order to be most effective for students with dyslexiaโ€”

#demystifyingdyslexia #raiseareader #readingteacher #teachreading #dyslexiaawareness
View
Open
Lately when I find four leaf clovers, Iโ€™ve been leaving them. ๐Ÿ€๐Ÿคท๐Ÿผโ€โ™€๏ธ

So if youโ€™re in Maryland, and you happen upon a lonely, little 4-leafer with very little grass, weeds, or leaves around it, I donโ€™t know WHO tried to set you up for success.

#yougotthis #keepyoureyesopen #itsthelittlethings #kilpattyluck
View
Open
Okayโ€”how do we know if someone has dyslexia? 

Which professionas are able to make that important determination? 

โ–ถ๏ธ Watch to find out. 

Hit me with the questions you still have about dyslexiaโ€”and know we have a few more posts to go!

#demystifyingdyslexia #raiseareader #teachreading #readingteachersofig
View
Open
What are some of the common signs of dyslexia?

Watch to learn and find out!

#demystifyingdyslexia #readingteacher #raiseareader #teachreading #dyslexia
View
Open
True โœ… or false โŒ?

#demystifyingdyslexia #dyslexiaeducation #readingteacher #raiseareader #teachreading
View
Open
What do you know about dyslexia? 

What questions do you have about dyslexia? 

For the next few weeks leading up to my own start to the school year I am sharing a new series called โ€œDe-Mystifying Dyslexiaโ€ and I would love for you to join me! 

Follow in my stories or on the highlight above!

#dyslexia #teading  #readingteacher #raiseareader #demystifyingdyslexia

Copyright © 2023 · teach mama media, llc · All Rights Reserved

  • 9
1.7K shares