I'm in need of a spelling list for my 7th grader. I know that most people in middle school don't do spelling, but I asked her and she would like to continue. I'd prefer more challenging lists, as most of the ones that I've found aren't really 7th grade level. Please let me know!
Take a look at Soaring with Spelling. It is a great program, though you will need to look at the samples for 7th and 8th grades to see which level would work better for her. You could also use Wordlywise for spelling lists.
I make spelling/vocabulary lists every week from the books he is reading. I try to make my list from all subjects he gets some variety.
I believe splashes from the river has a free middle school spelling program, also the free spelling connections from zaner-bloser goes up to like 8th I think. Let me get you some links.... http://www.splashesfromtheriver.com/spelling/index.htm http://www.zaner-bloser.com/media/zb/zaner-bloser/spellingconnections/practice-pages.html
You could look at Spelling Power. That works with all grade levels. Another thought is to use something like Wordly Wise 3000 or Jensen's Vocabulary and combine spelling and vocab.
My daughter is in 9th grade and we work on spelling, but I do not use an actual list anymore. I used to make my own lists. Now that Ems is older, I want her to know the "why's" of spelling and not simply memorize words. This year we are using E-Z Spelling. It isn't an actual curriculum, but we are using it as a curriculum. It is FANTASTIC. It explains why people make common mistakes in spelling. It discusses the need for NOT relying on spell-check. It covers the problems that texting and abbreviations cause when it comes to spelling and the history of the English language. It covers rules that I was never taught in school. There are many exercises for the student to work on as well as NUMEROUS of spelling words and lists. Many of the words are not the usual words you would see in a spelling book. Many words are complex, but help the student learn the rules. The book also uses a comical tone to deliver the information. It is meant for high school and up, but it can be used for younger students. Although some of the spelling words are very challenging, the text itself isn't difficult to read. It is not very expensive and can be used for many years. It is a keeper in our house.
My kids have used the middle school levels of Christian Liberty Press's Building Spelling Skills. Loved how the 8th grade one we used based the list off of root words and the etymology of them.
We do Power Spelling. 1 book, all grade levels. It is not a chore for the kids. They ask to do it. And even when they make a mistake, not an issue. Otherwise I would take spelling words out of the 2 oldest's writing. (Keegan has the LD, which makes it harder.)
We use Spelling Wisdom, book 3 from Simply Charlotte Mason. It is a dictation-based spelling program, which is more effective for my daughter than just memorizing spelling lists.
Faythe was saying just today that copy work is what really helped her in spelling. I was talking to someone with younger hs'ers, and I had mentioned that Faythe's spelling, which was SO BAD!!!, has really improved. Not perfect...what was it she said not too long ago...? OH! It was her thank you note for those that sent her money for her mission trip. "Thank you for your fanatical support." Oh, Rachael laughed so hard! She had spelled FINANCIAL wrong, and the spell checker gave her possible corrections, and she chose the wrong one, lol!
