Phonics

[Scuff]

DS reads well, but his understanding of advanced phonics isn't that great. We did A Beka for K5 and the first half of 1st. Then switched to R&S for 2nd. We're a little behind with Phonics and are finishing up now. There's so much in it that he just doesn't get. Like how to add suffixes on and changing the Ys. (He will spell hurried "hurryed" and then played "plaied") I'm tempted to redo the year with him. He'd probably get what he missed the 2nd time around. But he might not want to do that. He'd probably do better if we did the same material with a different curriculum, so that it isn't doing the same thing. What do you guys like for this kind of thing? I thought of just buying those workbooks you can get at walmart, but I don't know how good they are. Thanks.

[Peek a Boo]

I am LOVING Spell to Write and Read [sWR].

It's a spin-off of The Writing Road to Reading/ Spalding method.

 

You can probably get WRTR either dirt cheap or through the library.

If it makes sense to you, then SWR is kinda like WRTR on steroids ;)

 

SWR explains SO much --I was a natural speller and still learned a lot reading thru this program! My 14yos is still catching all kinds of cool connections with phonics and spelling in this program, and he's a great reader/speller too. I was an A Beka phonics gal, but am slowly leaving the Handbook for Reading on the shelf w/ my younger ones. I think I'll be all-SWR by next year :D

 

There's a definite learning curve, but sooo worth taking the time to learn.

It is K-12 so even if you muddle thru it the first couple years it is still applicable as your kids get older and you get better at teaching it.

 

I've implemented it piecemeal over the last few years, and attended a second seminar this August.

 

You can read more about it here:

http://www.swrtraining.com/id23.html

 

and here's a couple of youtubes demonstrating it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jqyqOrSGy8

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2iUdXngvYI

 

 

 

There's a yahoogroup that is very good at answering questions quickly:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SpellToWriteAndRead

 

good luck finding something that will help your kiddo!

[Rosy]

Phonics Pathways covers that sort of thing, it's really easy to use and very systematic. We use the Spelling Workout books for spelling--between the two of those you would definitely have it covered.

[Alenee]

I'm another user and fanatic of SWR. You might consider just purchasing SWR's spelling rule cards if you don't want to jump into a full spelling program.

 

I used only this program with my 9yo to teach her to read/spell. She is on her last year of the program.

 

I'm now using it with my 6yo, as well as Phonics Pathways. My 4yo is just beginning the program, learning the 70 basic phonograms.

 

While yes, there is a learning curve, I have yet to see another program that can rival SWR in totality.

[Lovedtodeath]

How to Teach Spelling! You will hit all the phonics rules and with 4 books for 1-12 it is inexpensive and fast moving.

[Sahamamama]

Have you seen All About Spelling? You might want to give this a try:

 

http://www.all-about-spelling.com/

 

HTH!

[djsmom]

My son isn't a natural speller but his spelling abilities have improved greatly since switching to Sequential Spelling. You may want to check it out.

 

Here's a link with info:

http://www.avko.org/sequentialspelling.html

[Scuff]

When I woke up this morning, it occured to me that I should cover this with spelling. That was everyone's advice about teaching DD4 to read. And it makes sense. So what's a good spelling program for teaching the rules and not just lists? We've been using R&S, but I'm not attached to it. And it doesn't do a great job with this, at least it hasn't for us so far. I assume those recommended so far would fit this. I'll hve to look at them. Thanks.

[AllSmiles]

Is finishing the second half of Abeka 1 an option?

 

In regards to root words and suffixes – Phonics 1 goes over the following:

 

• Dropping silent e

 

• Doubling final consonant

 

• Changing y to an i

 

• Making no changes

 

 

 

I think the phonics instruction in this program provides is excellent. Yes, it is a lot of drill, but I think the drill helps the child remember. The phonics blends, special sounds, and rules all help to provide a very strong reading foundation.

[Scuff]

I threw it out a long time ago. :blush: *I* got so sick of the vowel marking and ugh. I do see some benefits to using it with him, though. I've tossed around the idea of getting it again, but.... I don't know. We liked it for K, but by mid 1st I was so sick of it. That's one of the things I liked aobut R&S. It's broken up into 5 books, so it gives definate breaking points. It doesn't seem to drag on and on like A Beka did. (not that I really loved R&S in all areas, though)

[JudoMom]

I would go with either Phonics Pathways or Explode the Code (there is no need to start with book 1--just start him in the book that addresses skills he needs review on).

[Ellie]

That's the kind of concept that will be covered in spelling. If your ds is reading well, I'd just find something you like for spelling and go with it.

 

Spelling by Sound and Structure (R&S) is quite good. It starts at 2nd grade.

 

You could also try Spalding (Writing Road to Reading), or SWR.

[Lovedtodeath]

How to Teach Spelling is inexpensive and easy to implement. It is based on the Spalding method, and uses flashcards provided by WRTR. I got the TM from paperbackswap.com and 2 workbooks for $15 including shipping on half.com. The flashcards I am copying from the library.

[Ellie]

How to Teach Spelling is inexpensive and easy to implement. It is based on the Spalding method, and uses flashcards provided by WRTR. I got the TM from paperbackswap.com and 2 workbooks for $15 including shipping on half.com. The flashcards I am copying from the library.

Just a small correction: Saying that AAS's phonogram cards are "provided by WRTR" implies AAS somehow has Spalding's blessings. This is, of course, not true.

:)

[Lovedtodeath]

Just a small correction: Saying that AAS's phonogram cards are "provided by WRTR" implies AAS somehow has Spalding's blessings. This is, of course, not true.

:)

 

I was not talking about AAS! How to Teach Spelling is a program back from the 1950's (which is why it is so inexpensive). I don't know about blessings, but it is based on WRTR, similar in effect as SWR, but easier to use than either of them and focuses on spelling, with vocabulary in later books. Some children would do better with a different program, as it is not multi-sensory in approach.

[Peek a Boo]

When I woke up this morning, it occured to me that I should cover this with spelling. That was everyone's advice about teaching DD4 to read. And it makes sense. So what's a good spelling program for teaching the rules and not just lists? We've been using R&S, but I'm not attached to it. And it doesn't do a great job with this, at least it hasn't for us so far. I assume those recommended so far would fit this. I'll hve to look at them. Thanks.

 

 

something i like about SWR is the program works well whether you use the spelling lists or not. This week, we've used passages from Boys Life and Pokemon books for spelling review, rule markings, and dictation.

The Alpha List is a GREAT help w/ this!

 

good luck!

[Ellie]

I was not talking about AAS! How to Teach Spelling is a program back from the 1950's (which is why it is so inexpensive). I don't know about blessings, but it is based on WRTR, similar in effect as SWR, but easier to use than either of them and focuses on spelling, with vocabulary in later books. Some children would do better with a different program, as it is not multi-sensory in approach.

 

My bad!

 

I'm not talking about the effectiveness of AAS or How to Teach Spelling, or how close either is to Spalding. I'm just saying that Spalding Education International didn't give its phonogram cards to any other publisher for use. The implication was that there might be some connection between Spalding and How to Teach Spelling, and I was pointing out that there is not.

 

Sorry for the confusion.

[Ellie]

You can probably get WRTR either dirt cheap or through the library. If it makes sense to you, then SWR is kinda like WRTR on steroids ;)

 

I'm betting you haven't seen the 5th edition of WRTR and the new teacher guides.;)

[Lovedtodeath]

I'm just saying that Spalding Education International didn't give its phonogram cards to any other publisher for use.

 

Oh, what I meant is that the program instructs you to obtain and use the phonogram cards from WRTR. How to Teach Spelling does not sell any phonogram cards. The WRTR phonogram cards are the only expensive component needed for the program, if you do buy them. The lady that I bought How to Teach Spelling from made her own. :tongue_smilie: Now it's all cleared up! I guess they figured they could not improve upon WRTR. :D

 

My library has the 5th edition! :) I haven't seen it yet but I am picking it up Wednesday from interlibrary loan request! But I don't know about the teacher guides... I doubt it.

[Ellie]

Oh, what I meant is that the program instructs you to obtain and use the phonogram cards from WRTR. How to Teach Spelling does not sell any phonogram cards. The WRTR phonogram cards are the only expensive component needed for the program, if you do buy them. The lady that I bought How to Teach Spelling from made her own. :tongue_smilie: Now it's all cleared up! I guess they figured they could not improve upon WRTR. :D

 

Whew!

 

My library has the 5th edition! :) I haven't seen it yet but I am picking it up Wednesday from interlibrary loan request! But I don't know about the teacher guides... I doubt it.

Very kewl. It's *possible* that the library has the teacher guides. I'm surprised at how many things some libraries have.