My daughter (3rd grade) is very much a right-brained learner. She excels in math, reads above grade level (we have never done phonics or another reading program), and has the writing process (story and character development) down pat. She is very musical and sees everything in an artistic way. Basically, she sees and does everything in her own unique way. HOWEVER...she cannot spell at all! For many right-brained kids, spelling is a developmental concept that does not kick in until age 10 or 11. I've backed off of doing any formal spelling instruction for now. I encourage her to write using her own inventive spelling. Otherwise she would stress out and not write at all. I can see progress as she is getting older. She looks up words in the dictionary when she edits her work, and uses spellcheck on the computer. I intend to use "Sequential Spelling" once she is older. Until then, we will go on looking up words as we need to.
My first grader is using the Zaner-Bloser Spelling Connections workbook, and we also play games with his word lists on www.spellingcity.com.
We are three weeks into first grade, and we are doing spelling. We are using McGuffey's speller - it's not memorization at this point, because my son knows all these words already, and I thought it would be an easy "in" for spelling. Before this, I would have him mostly build words with blocks or cut out letters (his fine motor is catching up, but it's a struggle). He will ask how to speel a word he wants to write. Now, I am asking him to write the words a couple times a week, and spell them with blocks or cut outs a couple other times a week, and spell them alound as well. Well, I have learned he does not know the names of letters! This really surprised me, since we have talked about the "names" of letter vs the sounds they make since the beginning. But two weeks ago, he repeatedly would spell "sat" correctly with blocks or cut outs, but orally, he would consistently (ugh) say "see-ay-tee." Now, he must say the letter names when he finished the block/cut out spelling. Anyway, I am glad I caught this now when it's a small issue, and using words with which he is very familiar.
Ems jump ropes when she spells out more difficult words. I got the idea a few years back here at Homeschool Spot. It really works because she has to put the words into rhythm as she jumps and it makes it fun and easier to remember. Sometimes she has to jump rope a few times to get it right, other times more. In the end she memorizes difficult words quicker and she gets to exercise at the same time.
For my son (now 2nd grade) I'm using the free spelling over at Superteacherworksheets.com, and he's loving it and learning a lot. My oldest (4th grade) is using AVKO Sequential Spelling (bought from someone here - THANK YOU AGAIN!). She's using Book 1 and I have no idea what grade that's set for - it's had some really EASY words, but some really hard ones too. I MIGHT use it for my son next year. She likes that she doesn't have to do word lists, sentences for each word, etc. Just a test every day - and they build ont he words the day before - and sometimes they kind of "start over" Although....ya just can't beat free! And the Superteacherworksheets.com one goes through word families.
In first grade, we did not do formal spelling with a spelling book or anything. When we were working on certain sounds, we would spell the words that went with those sounds,etc. But no spelling tests or lists or anything. Now we use AVKO Sequential Spelling. We like it because they follow a logical sequence, and there is no "studying" or tests. Both my kids are getting to be good spellers. We didn't start that until 2nd grade.
So your 2nd graders are doing well with Book 1? I was worried about starting too early with my son. he's done well with what he's done so far. You saying this gives me confidence to go ahead and use it with him next year (He'll be 3rd for the most part next year).
That is a neat idea! Reminds me of the movie Matilda where Ms. Honey teaches the to spell difficulty with a little song: Mrs. D, Mrs. I, Mrs. FFI, Mrs. C, Mrs. U, Mrs. LTY. I always thought that was cute. If I decide to use LLATL with Grace for 1st grade spelling is included which will be nice.
I have a list of words in the back of the Abeka Blue-backed speller book (I forgot I had it!) that I'll probably use along with that site that was posted earlier. That spelling city site looked fun, too.
