Word Tap

Penny Suazo’s students master spelling words by experiencing them with as many of their senses as possible:

• Words are written on a white board.
• The teacher leads the class in spelling each word aloud in a sing-song rhythm, clapping hands as they speak each letter.
• For emphasis, the teacher adds descriptive motions, such as clapping hands overhead to indicate an apostrophe.
• After the class has spelled and clapped out a word several times, the teacher asks students to define the word. She gives visual examples of some words and asks students to act out the meanings of other words.