Games and Activities to Reinforce the Teaching of Tricky Words/ Heart Words
Flashcards Design:
Instead of just showing the word and having class repeat it, make it interactive and incorporate movement. Have students jump, clap, or even do a silly dance every time they say a word correctly. This helps engage their whole body in the learning process, which can make the word much stick in their minds.
Playdough :
If your kids are tactile learners why not use playdough to help them make heart words? Give each child a little ball of playdough and have them roll out the letters of tricky words. As they form the word, they say it out loud.
Word Wall Designers!
Set up a heart word wall in your classroom! Rather than just having the words up for display, turn it into an interactive learning tool. As you introduce new tricky words, have kids come up and “decorate” the word with drawings, stickers, or colourful designs. . Every time the class reviews the wall, they can look at the visual associations they’ve created, making the words more memorable.
Scavenger Hunt:
Take the learning outdoors (or just around the classroom) with a heart word scavenger hunt. Write tricky words on cards and hide them around the room or the yard. The class can work in teams to find each word and say it aloud when they find it. To add an extra challenge, ask them to use the word in a sentence before they can move on to the next one. It’s a great way to get them moving while practicing reading skills!
Collaborative Art :
Let kids get creative by turning heart words into a fun art project. Give them large pieces of paper and markers, and ask them to design their tricky word using different colours, patterns, and shapes. While they’re working, encourage them to say the word out loud and use it in a sentence. By creating visual and verbal connections, kids are more likely to remember the word for the long term.
Detectives:
If your students love a good mystery, turn heart word practice into a detective game! Have them act as word detectives, searching for heart words in books, on the board, or even in everyday objects around the classroom. Once they find a heart word, they must say it and use it in a sentence.
Peer Learning:
Pairing students up for partner practice can give them a fun way to help each other with heart words. One child could hold up a flashcard with a tricky word, and their partner has to say the word, spell it, and use it in a sentence. Switch roles so each child gets a turn. This provides both social interaction and additional practice, reinforcing the words in a relaxed and supportive environment.