phonics-->spelling program?

[Mama Rana]

Ok, new question.

I'm looking for suggestions for a phonics/spelling program for my first grader. I don't know exactly what I want, I just seem to think that these two things could/can be taught together, and I'd rather do one integrated rather than 2? Something that doesn't require too much sitting and filling out worksheets, but that maybe comes with little reference cards of the rules that we could hang up so that as he's writing I could say, "check rule #4!" or something like that? Accompanying readers are not all that important to me [I can't stand reading them, they are so contrived!].

Thanks for any recs!

[sleet76]

Check out All About Spelling. I'm really liking it for us. I got Level One and started it with my then-first-grader last spring, and it's been great. She was a good reader but very hesitant on spelling. I also added my almost-kindergartner into the fun, and he's moving along in it, too. It does have a reader that goes along with what they are learning, so you can teach reading at the same pace, if you wanted. My kids are both liking it, and they are very different in their learning styles and attention span.

[Marimami]

Another vote for All About Spelling. We don't use much curriculum but my daughter loves this program. We finished Level 1 and we are doing some review before starting level 2 in a few weeks. She will be 6 in a few weeks.

We had a very relaxed approach with it and don't do nearly all the suggestions because my daughter doesn't like repetition. But it is flexible and she has loved learning the rules. It has helped her reading skills tremendously. It is easy to synchronize the lessons with Ordinary Parents Guide to Reading, Explode the Code, Progressive Phonics, etc.

I imagine we will finish level 2 and 3 this year even with our totally laid back approach because she enjoys it so much.

Holli

[sbgrace]

You've actually got lots of good options! Some are:

Phonics Road to Reading and Spelling
All About Spelling
Go Phonics program
Sing Spell Read Write
Orton Gillingham or Spalding you put together (Recipe for Reading which is OG or Writing Road to Reading which is Spalding)

I put together my own using the program this school put together and put online (which is Orton Gillingham based and I suspect very much like Recipe for Reading) http://www.rochester.k12.mi.us/index.aspx?folder=2401 Lesson plans and method links for first grade on the bottom--they have a 2nd grade too. We've done it at our own faster pace. I'm using http://funwithphonograms.com/?page_id=147 these materials too. My kids are enjoying the music and story CD's to learn the phonograms and the spelling DVD is fantastic in that it presents the spelling rules using visual and auditory channels. It's a nice addition to many spelling reading based programs.

[elizawill]

another vote for AAS. they do have readers, but they're optional. hth.

[mangopassion]

Yet another vote for All-About-Spelling! We love it! I used it as a phonics program for my son and I also bought the reader. The reader is wonderful and the program wonders beautifully for a phonics program.

[Mama Rana]

AAS looks great, thanks ya'll!

[LittleBattleAxe]

We found Reading Reflex to be a really great tool with our beginning readers!