Whether you homeschool your children, or you just want a fun way to get them to practice their spelling words for the week, here are three games to make with index cards. They work best with intermediate grade students.

Materials You Will Need

*A pack of index cards in different colors
*Marker or pen that won't show through on the other side
*A list of at least 20 spelling words
(If your child doesn't have that many in their weekly list, you might want to add a few, such as days of the week, months, holidays, and so on.)

Note: These games are for 2 to 3 players, although they could be altered for the classroom.

Preparation

1. Count out 20 index cards of one color, and 20 of a second color.

2. Write each spelling word on a separate card of the first color, making sure that you can't see the word from the back of the card. Now write the same words on the cards of the second color.

3. For the Spelling bingo game, you also need a list of words for the caller.

4. Shuffle the cards well, and the play can begin!

5. Each player starts every game with one color, so they don't get mixed up.

Games and Instructions

1. Spelling Bingo

Each player picks 5 cards at random and turns them face up on the table in front of them. The caller picks a word from the list, pronounces it, and spells it. If the players have that word turned up, they turn the card over. The first player to have all 5 cards turned over calls "bingo" and is the winner. The winner can be the next caller. The cards are shuffled and play starts again. Several rounds should be played so all the words are practiced.

2. Spelling Concentration

Each player has their stack of 20 cards of one color. They should shuffle their stack and place their cards, face down, in 4 rows of 5 cards each.

The first player chooses one of his or her cards and one of the opponent's cards. If they match, he or she keeps them in a pile on the side. If they do not match, he or she must put them back exactly where they were. If they match, the child plays again, and continues to play until the cards don't match. If the cards don't match, the turn goes to the opponent.

When all the cards are used up, the player with the most cards is the winner. They can be easily separated into the two colors and the play can start again, if desired.

3. Alphabetical Order Race

Each player starts with their pile of 20 cards in one color, shuffled, and placed face down in front of them.

When one says "go" they turn the cards over and race to put them in alphabetical order. The first one finished is the winner, if the order is correct. They should check each other's cards or have an adult check the order.

They are easy to prepare, easy to play, and fun.

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