Spelling

[ebethmom]

I'd like some suggestions on spelling programs. My ds (8) reads well, but is resistant to writing. He claims that he doesn't know how to spell any words, so how could he possibly write?? I think that he knows more than he thinks, and uses that as an excuse to get out of writing. If it isn't fast and easy, then no way!

I want to add spelling to our daily routine. We'll take 10 - 15 minutes a day.

I just looked at the All About Spelling program. We probably want something that costs less!

[ALittleBitCrunchy]

We are using Sequential Spelling. I really like it and the time commitment is nice - my 7yo doesn't want to spend a lot of time on it, either

[gardenmommy]

We are using Spelling Power. It is recommended for ages 8-adult, assuming your 8 yr. old is a good reader. It takes 15 minutes per day. Very simple and effective. I started using it 2 1/2 years ago with my oldest, who couldn't spell to save his life. We've worked through about 3.5 levels, and his spelling has improved SO much, it's amazing. I started using it this fall with my 7 yr. old (very good reader, almost 8), and she is loving it. Her spelling is already improving; she can read and spell at a 3rd grade level. I've talked to several other moms who are using SP who love it, which was one reason I went with it in the first place.

[elizawill]

my dd is also 8 and sounds a lot like your ds. she reads great, but her writing lacks. we currently use the draw-write-now books. my dd learns to draw (which she loves) and i like it because it focuses on sentences & spelling. the first day she copies it. the second day i'll dictate it. she corrects her own mistakes. the next day i'll dictate it again & so forth. we usually focus on 1 lesson per week. every 3rd lesson or so, i'll make a word list for her at www.spellingcity.com

we also just purchased spectrum spelling, spectrum writing, and spectrum language arts for grade 2. they were a few bucks each used at amazon. she got them for christmas & they seem like something she would love (she likes workbooks though & loves to do them at bedtime). she's not actually used them yet...so i can't really recommend them, but they look good. also, in the next year or two, i'm *thinking* about buying "writing tales" for her. depending on your son's level - that may interest you too. hth.

[theretohere]

Something of a similar nature that may help- have you looked into copywork? It can be overwhelming for some kids to think a thought, put it into words, and get those words on paper. Copywork would allow you to work on the process separately to build confidence and ability.

[LauraLoo]

Originally Posted by theretohere

Something of a similar nature that may help- have you looked into copywork? It can be overwhelming for some kids to think a thought, put it into words, and get those words on paper. Copywork would allow you to work on the process separately to build confidence and ability.

Building on this - We did something similar with ds. He would dictate his own story to me, I'd copy it down on a whiteboard, and then he would copy it into his writing journal.

[AAK]

Originally Posted by elizawill

we also just purchased spectrum spelling, spectrum writing, and spectrum language arts for grade 2. they were a few bucks each used at amazon. she got them for christmas & they seem like something she would love (she likes workbooks though & loves to do them at bedtime). she's not actually used them yet...so i can't really recommend them, but they look good. also, in the next year or two, i'm *thinking* about buying "writing tales" for her. depending on your son's level - that may interest you too. hth.

I have spectrum spelling grade four. My dd likes it. So do I, for her at least. Each week there are 15 words and several activities. One activity is "fun with words" and is intended to be more fun. I like that on the first page of each lesson, it will give a spelling tip. The ____ sound can be made x number of ways. And then they list the ways. We don't do all the activities--usually just 2 of them.

However, I am looking into spelling power now too. I finally convinced dh to let me bring dd2 home. She is dyslexic, etc. She isn't ready for spelling power yet, but I like that it seems to be a method rather than a collection of word lists. I will use it with dd1 as well, if I buy it. Right now she does more memorizing than actual learning on spelling words.

Amy

[SandyBeachBums]

We started using Spelling Power this year. I love that I can use it for all children, it will last all through the school years, and it takes only minutes a day.

I do it a bit differently. I just do the test one day and the next day they have to write any missed words three times. We use normal lined paper for it. I waited till my 8 year old was able to read easy chapter books (Magic Treehouse) before he began.

[elizawill]

for those of you that use spelling power, when does the author finally begin the program? it takes foooorrrreeevvvveeeerrr to read the teacher notes. i gave up on it & returned it to my friend that loaned me the book. should i borrow it again? is it really worth it? TIA!!!

[tankgirl73]

I'm going to second Sequential Spelling! It's dirt cheap (I downloaded the e-book), takes only 5 minutes a day, and it works!

DS is 11 and has never been a great speller, though he has a great memory. He hates almost all bookwork. He likes SS because it's quick and easy. One nice thing about it is that you can just start at the beginning and go from there, no matter what age you are... because it works with word patterns building from easy to hard words in each pattern, rather than something like "level 1" is easy words and "level 5" is hard words. There are "hard words" right from the beginning, but the kids understand how to spell them, usually on their first try!

[theretohere]

Originally Posted by LauraLoo

Building on this - We did something similar with ds. He would dictate his own story to me, I'd copy it down on a whiteboard, and then he would copy it into his writing journal.

That's usually the next step after straight up copywork- then just writing your ideas.

[kgianforti]

Though it's far in the future, I'm excited about Rod & Staff's Spelling by Sound and Structure:

http://www.rodandstaffbooks.com/list...taff_Spelling/

[ebethmom]

Originally Posted by tankgirl73

I'm going to second Sequential Spelling! It's dirt cheap (I downloaded the e-book), takes only 5 minutes a day, and it works!

Where did you find the e-book? I didn't see it on the website (but I also wasn't looking for a download then). I think I would like Sequential Spelling better if it didn't cost so much for the entire program.

[elizawill]

don't forget to look at homeschool classifieds. SS is pretty cheap there!

http://www.homeschoolclassifieds.com...ntial+spelling

[moominmamma]

Originally Posted by ebethmom

I think that he knows more than he thinks, and uses that as an excuse to get out of writing.

I know you're asking for spelling programs but I thought I'd ask the obvious question -- if you think the real issue is resistance to writing, and spelling is just an 'excuse' because he knows more than he'll admit, why work on the spelling at all? The real issue is a mismatch between the writing he's willing to do and your expectations. Does spelling really figure at all?

Miranda

[ebethmom]

Originally Posted by moominmamma

I know you're asking for spelling programs but I thought I'd ask the obvious question -- if you think the real issue is resistance to writing, and spelling is just an 'excuse' because he knows more than he'll admit, why work on the spelling at all? The real issue is a mismatch between the writing he's willing to do and your expectations. Does spelling really figure at all?

Miranda

We really haven't done any writing at all (ideas on paper, sentences - what I think of as writing). Ds is reluctant to write any words. For example: In math, he had to identify shapes and write the names. His "I can't do that!" fit lasted twice as long as the actual assignment. Once he sat down to do it, he wrote the words with only a tiny bit of assistance from me.

I really want a spelling program so we have word writing in our routine. Last year and the year before, he did several pages of Explode the Code every day. I might try that again. We still have a few volumes left that we didn't finish.

I may just come up with some exercises of my own. Ds prefers workbook style so he can start at the beginning, do two pages a day and be done with it. I would definitely say that my expectations are higher than his willingness at this point. He would be content with lifelong abstinence.

[mom2ponygirl]

We are using Sequential Spelling. Our dd was a very poor speller when we started. She is an above average speller now a few years later. We will be completing levels 4 and 5 this year. It is very quick and easy to do.

We tried Spelling Power but dd really didn't like it. I've kept it, thinking we might go back to it some day. That is becoming less and less likely though! She would take the pretest and then spend the time practicing the words she missed. However, when she would test again, she might get most of the words she practiced and then miss a bunch of the words she got on the pretest. She found it very frustrating.