We are using the free spelling from Zaner Bloser, and I'm not convinced it's "working". Since it's just the practice pages for the program, it doesn't give explicit details as to what the rule is for the week. I've been thinking about Spectrum and Evan Moor. I love that Evan has dictation sentences... though I could come up with them on my own. Anyone able to tell me more about these or tell me that you used both and love one over the other? ETA: I should note, if you know something else great that can be found pretty cheap I'm open to suggestions. I have looked at most things, even bought many but none have made me think they will work for us with great success.
Hmmmm….we're using BJU this year for spelling. I actually like it. I only bought the student workbook, I didn't buy the teacher book or anything (like you really NEED a teacher book for 3rd grade spelling! LOL ). My youngest really likes it. quick, easy, colorful.
I definitely need secular. I wish we had a bookstore that had both books in stock so I could look at them side by side. Dang it, all the bookstores have closed within an hour of here... well there are two BAM but I must say I'm never impressed with what either has when it comes to the educational selections.
I just went and looked at Evn-Moor and loved it until I saw that they have misspelled words and words spelled right and then the child picks which one it right. Grrrr! Have you looked at A Reason For Spelling?
Have you looked at Spell By Color. It's free. I haven't used it...because it involves printing (which I don't like, but you don't mind). Maybe you could give it a try before buying anything. ETA: I'm quite sure that Spell by Color would be secular....I know A Reason for Spelling is not.
Sommer, we used the Spectrum Spelling Grades 1 - 6 published by McGraw Hill. We also used Spectrum Phonics and Word Study Grades K - 6 published by McGraw Hill. We really liked them. I never tried Evan Moore. These are the ISBN's for the spelling workbooks. Grade 1 ISBN 1-56189-921-6 Grade 2 ISBN 1-56189-922-4 Grade 3 ISBN 1-56189-923-2 Grade 4 ISBN 1-56189-924-0 Grade 5 ISBN 1-56189-925-9 Grade 6 ISBN 1-56189-926-7 Word Study & Phonics Grade K ISBN 1-56189-940-2 Grade 1 ISBN 1-56189-941-0 Grade 2 ISBN 1-56189-942-9 Grade 3 ISBN 1-56189-943-7 Grade 4 ISBN 1-56189-944-5 Grade 5 ISBN 1-56189-945-3 Grade 6 ISBN 1-56189-946-1
I was looking at the spelling that goes with the Treasures reading books... ummmm link, let me find a link....http://www.mhschool.com/reading/treasure_workbooks/national.html I think these look like too much each day, my kids will balk at it I'm sure. I am going to go look at Spell by Color. I have the Spectrum Phonics & Word Study book.
I also have a few of the Mordern Curriculum Press Spelling Workout Workbooks.We used Levels G & H for 7th & 8th grades. You might want to check them out.
I'm looking at Spell by Color (as I have time, busy day in and out of the house). It seems decent... buy my gosh I can't imagine the kids learning all those rules and remembering them so that they keep track for their colors.
I love Evan Moor books. My boys are doing "Language Fundamentals" to learn grammar, punctuation and mechanics. We do "Language Review" for a 5 min review of concepts, and I was just looking into their spelling books. Right now we use All About Spelling. Their levels 1 and 2 were okay, but 3 felt like some of the rules were not explained well, or didn't really help you and in level 4 most of what we've hit hasn't worked. Their rules must be based on you having a certain accent in your speech. The rule we did last really was not a rule for us. There were more rule breakers than words that worked with their rule. We won't be continuing with them.
So I just thought to look at the books in the Scholastic dollar sale and their Success With Spelling books look like they may be perfect!
They are the purple books here. Click on the title of the book under the picture, then when the next page opens, click the view more thingy under the picture of the book, you can scroll all the way through the book to see them. They do not specify the rule to the student, but you can tell what they are.
Going back to get the link for you may get me in trouble. I discovered the success with maps, success with vocab, success with grammar and quite a few success with books that would be great for Cameron. I'm trying not go buy any of them... I am out of fun money..lol
