I used to teach first grade. Here are things that I used to tell parents and have tried myself.

Spelling:
Type the words on the computer
write them in shaving cream or sidewalk chalk outside, then pull out the hose to play and clean
magnetic letters on fridge while I'm cooking

Math facts (flash cards are boring every night)
Play war, however, flip two cards over at once. You have to add/subtract/multiple in your head first and the higher number still wins
Get a beach ball and write one number 0-9 on each colored section. Then play catch. When you catch the ball look at the colors your two pointer fingers are touching. Add those numbers.
Math Baseball on the Leapster
There are also websites that will make math fact worksheets. We do these once a week for a change.


If handwriting is an issue - I tell my son I will look over his work and pick three words/numbers that need to be neater. That way you're not pointing out every mistake. You could reward him (with something like extra computer or Wii time) if it's neat enough that there is nothing that needs improvement.

That's all I can think of right now. Hope this helps.

Liz

Adam-12
Jake-10
Andrew, Luke, and Kaitlyn-7