We are just a couple of weeks into school, but I am really unhappy with our spelling curriculum. Any suggestions? We are doing 3rd and 4th grade spelling.
We haven't started using it yet, but I really like the way it looks and all the activies, A Reason for Spelling. What are you using now?
I.m using Spelling Workout from Modern Curriculum Press, and it came with the teacher's book as well (4th grade). I like it so far. Here's a link http://www.learningthings.com/articles/spelling-workout.aspx
I'm using Sequential Spelling. If you're in an area that has curriculum fairs (looking, not buying), try to get your hands on All About Spelling and Spelling Power, too. They're popular choices.
what are you using now ?? I am trying out spellwell. I'm still waiting for it to come in the mail, so I can't really comment on it yet.
I like Squential Spelling. My daughter really struggled in spelling and I am quite impressed. It is for 2nd grade and up. They suggested everyone start out at level one, so it is good for a wide range of ages. Plus, you don't have the kind of tests where kids forget what they learned the day after the test.
We have All about Spelling too. So far we are just working on the phonograms, we have not started the full program yet.
We're using Spelling Power (4th Edition) this year. We used to use Sequential Spelling. Anyway, it's ONE BOOK for grades 3 to 12. Makes it extremely cost effective for any sized family. It's a lot like Sequential Spelling in that each list is in word groups - BUT it explains the rule, and the teaching style is quite different.
Slightly OT: If your LA curriculum has spelling in it, do you still use an additional spelling curriculum? We use LP and SOS and they both have spelling words. I'm just curious if I should have additional spelling, as well.
I second Spelling Power - this is our 4th or 5th year using it and I would never change. He loves spelling because it is just a non-issue with SP. Test on the words, then memorize the ones he misses. It is a 10 minute lesson at the most - including the words he missed from the previous day.
We just started Spelling Power...I like it so far. It seems to do the job, and the kids don't mind it. Jen
Jakk, do you like the way the phonograms are taught? I am seriously looking into All About Spelling. Originally I was considering SWR program, but couldn't really wrap my head around how to teach it. In the past we've used Abeka, A Reason for Spelling, and currently just working off the words the kids miss in their writing. I used Spelling Power when I worked for Sylvan and quickly learned it wasn't a good fit for ME I am enjoying hearing all the ideas on this thread.
Claraskids, so far so good. My daughter is just 5 so I am not starting the full program til she is ready for it. She is just now starting to be able to read sentences. Up until this week she could sound out words, but couldn't put them together.
I had another suggestion - this would be inexpensive.... www.superteacherworksheets.com has lists up to 4th Grade. Last year, for my son (who was 3rd grade), I entered the list into www.spellingcity.com . Each week I would print out worksheets from either spot and he would do one worksheet a day. BUT, he was also allowed to play on the computer games at Spelling City for about 15-20 mins during school time too. He liked his spelling that way - and for him, I'm contemplating doing that again. the thing I liked most about Spelling City is that it would give him his test, too, and we could print it out for the portfolio.
We use All About Spelling to get our weekly word lists and then I use Spellingcity.com for any activities I want to print out for their weekly lessons. It works great and I have noticed a huge improvement already in my daughter this year. Last year in PS, my daughter had a really, really hard time in spelling and was getting so frustrated over it. I think it was partly due to the fact that when my daughter writes her letters, they sometimes look like another letter, so she would always get them wrong, for example, her "r's" sometimes look like an "n" because she would extend the line. Anyway, this year, since we started school, she hasn't had any problems and actually loves her spelling lessons now!!
Spelling Power! Can't say enough good about it. My dd was a horrible speller until we used this. Now she is at least grade level (9th), if not higher. We've been using it for a few years. My dd took to it and loved it right off the bat. My son, at the beginning, was fighting anything related to reading/language arts. Lo and behold, he ASKED to begin using it this year and has been making remarkable progress in the last month. He actually told me the other day that he LOVES spelling and this is his year! Some of that I attribute to maturity but I also give alot of credit to Spelling Power. 15 min a day-that's all. Spelling doesn't drag on. You get immediate feedback, see immediately where you made the error and you have a 10 step process (quick) to learn it. Bam! You're done. pLuS....good for grades 3-12! Use for all your kids. Best thing I ever bought.
We are using All About Spelling level 2 this year. Used Level 1 last year, and got through it in just about 3 months. I can't honestly say if it's really helping much this year, as we've only just started it last week. I'm hoping though, bc DS has a tough time with spelling.
