Spelling

[annettemarie]

OK, I know we've discussed this ad nauseum, but I was having trouble digging up the specific thread I was thinking of.

My daughter (age 9/4th grade this coming year) did really well, but her spelling is awful. She tested about a year behind. Her writing skills kind of suck as well. DH asked me to look for a really good spelling system that would help catch her up. What do you suggest?

We've been using Catholic Heritage Curriculum's spelling and just trying to hit on grammar and writing skills as they come along, but it's just not enough.

[AAK]

I played the "testing spelling curriculum game" this year. I tried a basic Spectrum Spelling book, Spelling Power, All about Spelling, and one other.

The Winner was.. . . . . . . All About Spelling!!!

My older dd liked spelling power, but I didn't really think she was "learning" how to spell. It seemed just like the workbooks but without the workbook. I was supposed to have her do several activities for the words she didn't know. It didn't work well with me--partially because my dd didn't want to do any of them--so she just decided to write each misspelled word 5 times. And yes, she remembered it well enough to move on, but like a month later it would come up in a review and she hadn't retained it.

All About Spelling uses tiles, and other tactile stimulation (we use rice in a pie pan) and is multi sensory. Level one goes really quickly, but I think it is still worth it--just to get the program's method down and it builds confidence in the kid.

Some people rave about Sequential Spelling, but that one doesn't interest me at all. But, that older dd of mine might like it. Regardless, I will be using All About Spelling for everyone this next year.

Amy

[annettemarie]

Thanks Amy! I'm looking and I have a couple questions. It looks like it requires quite a bit of parent time. I don't want to sound lazy, but I will also have a 1st and 6th grader, a preK kid knocking around, and twin babies coming, so I'm going to be spread a little thin, LOL!

Also, it seems kind of spendy. Are there places to get it for less?

[Marimami]

Another rave for All About Spelling. You could easily use it with all your school-aged kids if you wanted to get some more bang out of the parental involvement. It teaches the fundamental rules behind spelling rules, not just memorizing spelling lists. I am not a huge fan of curriculum, in general, and DD and I love this program. We started when she was newly 5 and she continues to love it. She'll be 6 in a couple of months.

Holli

[dotnetdiva]

I didn't want to chime in, as I only have a 5 year old, but yet another rave for AAS! We will be starting Level 3 this month. Yes it is an investment, but I think it is worth it. Sounds like you'll get lots of use out of it with your children.

We spend 20 minutes, 3x a week on spelling. We cover a lesson in two days up until now, but I think we'll slow down in level 3.

[chfriend]

If she loves rules = AAS.

If she thinks in patterns (word families) = Sequential Spelling (You can give it a good try using the free samples and see if it's what she will enjoy: http://www.avko.org/free/samples.htm)

[annettemarie]

I'm actually looking at Sequential Spelling and thinking it might be a better match for her. She does not so much love rules. I just don't want it to become a "dropped stitch," you know?

[LauraLoo]

Sequential Spelling is fast

SS works well with our ds -- he is quick to see patterns, and amazingly, he retains all of it. I've also noticed a huge improvement with spelling words outside of the lists - he seems to be able to apply the "rules" he is picking up to other words.

[MissRubyandKen]

We're loving Sequential Spelling here. I am thinking about using MegaWords for my dd who is 10, but I'm also thinking about waiting until she is older. I'll probably wait considering her schedule is pretty full already.

[4Blessings]

My DS is 9 and will be in 4th grade this year. We've always used Spelling Workout. I've always been very hands-off with spelling. To my surprise he tested at a 10th grade level in spelling this spring.

I think it has more to do with how much he reads (lots) and less with the spelling program we've used.

As much as I like having him work on his own he is not a fan of Spelling Workout so I'll be watching this thread for suggestions.

[MissRubyandKen]

Oh yeah, and Sequential Spelling only takes about 10-15 minutes a day.

[AAK]

Originally Posted by annettemarie

Thanks Amy! I'm looking and I have a couple questions. It looks like it requires quite a bit of parent time. I don't want to sound lazy, but I will also have a 1st and 6th grader, a preK kid knocking around, and twin babies coming, so I'm going to be spread a little thin, LOL!

Also, it seems kind of spendy. Are there places to get it for less?

I only spend about 15/day on it right now. Very simple to implement. I haven't found a good place to buy it used yet.

But, it sounds like seq. spelling might be a better match for your dd. (maybe it would for my oldest too--I just like rules) If anyone knows where you can get a discount on that, please post.

Amy

[elizawill]

spelling was a real issue here as well. we have tried a lot of purchased curricula in this area, and have also tried copywork, dictation, spelling by mere osmosis my daughter just really struggles with it. we have finally found a good program in "all about spelling". my daughter will be 9 in early october, but we started in book 1. she moved through it in about 3 weeks (but i plan to use it with my son as well, so the cost was okay). we plan to do books 2 & 3 for 3rd grade and then she'll be caught up. the cost is kind of pricey, but i really do like the program. more importantly, my child likes it. i would say it takes about 15 minutes a day & although i'm present for the "lesson", i would not call this program teacher intensive at all. it's pretty "open & go" imho... at least in book 1. we use a cookie sheet as our magnet board & she also likes to use a dry erase board instead of paper. it is really working wonderfully. next year, we are trying a new language arts program as well. i plan to use writing with ease & it looks fairly painless but thorough. i also own writing strands and "just write", so we may add that in once a week since WWE is a 4 day program. hth.

[elizawill]

Originally Posted by annettemarie

I'm actually looking at Sequential Spelling and thinking it might be a better match for her. She does not so much love rules. I just don't want it to become a "dropped stitch," you know?

if you want to try SS, the first 8 lessons are free. you can try their dvd version here: http://www.avko.org/videos/ss_dvd_demo.html

this is a great way to test it out before buying it

[MissRubyandKen]

Originally Posted by AAK

I only spend about 15/day on it right now. Very simple to implement. I haven't found a good place to buy it used yet.

But, it sounds like seq. spelling might be a better match for your dd. (maybe it would for my oldest too--I just like rules) If anyone knows where you can get a discount on that, please post.

Amy

You can get one level of Sequential Spelling from Rainbow Resource for $11.50 and it is non-consumable so it can be reused for younger children. Also I think it is good to use one level combined for two children of different grades if the grades are close. I bought mine used for $6 postage included on The Well Trained Mind forum. I've seen them go for anywhere between $4-6 on there used. I do believe there are a couple available right now.

[snippets]

I am chiming in a little late here, but sequential spelling is really good. My DD has dyslexia and it works for her. Spelling City, which is free, is an awesome site and they joined with AVKO on some of their stuff. Here is the link: http://www.spellingcity.com/avkofoundation/

Joyfully,

Jackie