My 12 yo son needs a good spelling program. I have chosen Spelling You See but I’m not sure if it’s the best choice for him. We are in Classical Conversations Challenge A so a program that is not simple and short will not work for us. He’s not a terrible speller. He has learned a lot of spelling simply by copying however I’m seeing that he needs better spelling instruction. I appreciate your thoughts!

My six-year-old daughter is reading on what I'm estimating to be a 6th grade level. She enjoys all kinds of books and reads voraciously and easily. We quit doing any kind of phonics instruction over a year ago. However, she struggles with Spelling. We used Abeka 1 last year because we had it on hand, but she really hated it and struggled to regurgitate proper spelling even though she can read significantly harder words. My questions are: 1. Is there a spelling program I should consider for her? Could I continue with Abeka 2 for continuity and just skip the testing? 2. Should I consider not doing formal spelling instruction right now because she will eventually spell well when writing ability catches up to her reading ability? 3. Should we just do informal word studies/sorts?

I'm looking into switching to another spelling program that's more independent and just read an old thread about R&S that got me thinking maybe I should make a switch since we just finished level 3 today. I'm wondering which level I should go to after going through AAS Level 3 and how it compares? Or are there any other good independent spelling programs? I haven't looked through AAS4 yet but I'm starting to feel like it's too teacher intensive than they need (though we do our own modified version.) and we already do too many other teacher intensive things. The last steps, I felt like we could have done in one or two days but maybe that's a good thing. Especially since our time is limited (we afterschool in English subjects b/c they go to school in the am in a different language) They like spelling but I' wondering if they just like AAS and also because it's short. They LOVE the writing station portion. Anyway, any experiences with either, ideas, opinions will be helpful for me to think this through.

I'm looking for some extra spelling practice online for my 2nd grader. It needs to be fun and engaging and not seem like work. I don't particularly want to enter lists (like spelling city), but just want her to get some extra general practice. I am willing to purchase a program if necessary, but free would be better. We already use AAS. Thanks.

Can anyone recommend a book that explains spelling rules? My son is in 3rd grade and is using Spellwell, but I would like to have a book that explains spelling rules. We used All About Spelling last year, and while I loved how they taught spelling rules, it just didn't work for us. So far I've looked at "The Everything Kids Spelling Book" and "Spelling Works". Any recommendations greatly appreciated!!

My son is not a natural speller, which I discovered while using ABeka's 1st grade spelling. We switched to AAS and used levels 1-4. Then this year in 4th grade, I have him using R&S's grade 4 spelling. I needed something independent, since I have many little ones who need my time as well, and I just didn't feel I had time to devote to his spelling as well with something so teacher-intensive as AAS. However, I loved AAS and felt it worked for him. He has requested to go back to it. He doesn't like R&S so much. I don't feel he's retaining the words that he had a problem with. Most of the words he already knew, but if he didn't know them, he often still misses them. I don't like how R&S covers so many rules in one lesson, and wish they would be more focused like AAS. DS often makes mistakes in the workbook, mainly because he doesn't read directions well. So I wonder if I should keep him with it, just to help him learn to follow directions carefully and use logic! I'm really not sure if I should go back to AAS or not. It seemed to help his spelling more, but I really fear I don't have the time, and wonder if I should just stick with R&S, which is more efficient, cheaper, and still thorough (and he's not missing a lot of words on the tests, just one or two about every third week.)

We started Rod and Staff 3 for my 3rd grader this year. We are on week 3. It is nice that is a workbook format and I can ask my daughter to just do sections on her own but the words are much too easy. Most words are single syllable, and many are 3 letters. My daughter doesn't like it either, I think because it's too easy. I'm not sure what to do at this point. She used Logic of English from K-1, then Bookshark last year. I thought Bookshark spelling was weak and too easy until I saw Rod and Staff. I would say Rod and Staff 3 looks like the words my daughter did in grade 1 LOE. I was going to move to LOE Essentials this year but then decided to try WWE and FLL and it seems like overkill to do LOE just for spelling. Now I'm wondering if I should get LOE for spelling. Dream spelling curriculum would be challenging words in workbook so she could do on her own with activities that enforce rules and definitions. I would love something that covered word roots' origins and meanings. I was moving away from LOE because I'm adding in a K child and just felt I needed something less time consuming (and wanted better writing instruction, and wanted to do diagramming). She is a good reader and speller but I don't believe in dropping spelling because a child is a natural speller. She still needs reinforcement and practice and exposure to exceptions. She also enjoys spelling, and didn't complain much when writing words on a list. It gave her handwriting practice. I think she enjoyed spelling because of the sense of accomplishment when she was acing her weekly spelling tests. I'm not sure what to do and have just emailed our advisory teacher to see if she has anything we can review. I remember looking at those recommended by WTM (spelling power, don't recall others right now), but everything seems to have such mixed reviews.

I ordered R&S Spelling 3 for my young 3 grader, and just saw a friend's book and it looks too easy. It's too late to change the order, oh well.... :( She completed Logic of English foundations in K-1, and last year did Bookshark's language arts which was not challenging. My daughter is a good speller and seems to retain well. I had an extra Foundations D book that I started this summer for review, and she was annoyed because she had already done those spelling words. She remembered them a year later. She also learned the national spelling bee words last year and by herself practiced them because she wanted to be in the spelling bee, which was cancelled because only 2 kids entered:( I have decided against LOE Essentials this year because I really dislike how long LOE has taken in our day, and I don't like that they don't teach diagramming. My daughter is struggling with writing, hates to do it and can't think of what to write, so I'm trying Writing with Ease Level 1, and ordered First Language Lessons 3 to go with it. I'm trying to fill the gap with a spelling program. I want something more independent. I am trying to be more efficient in our school time because we do a lot, and now have my son starting K. I do have my daughter periodically review the LOE phonogram cards and rule cards. I've just ordered the morpheme cards and plan to just introduce them as we encounter in our new spelling program. I think my daughter would like the workbook activities, so was comparing R&S, Spelling Workout, and Spellwell. After now seeing R&S 3, I think it's too easy and it will frustrate my daughter because she will say she already knows those words. I see a few that she has not had. I don't know if I should just give it to her to complete quickly herself as review, then get level 4, or return and try another program. I've also seen good reviews for Building Spelling Skills and the words do look slightly more challenging. My dream spelling curriculum would include some vocabulary definitions. R&S seemed to have some of that with meanings of words and finding antonyms and synonyms, etc. I kind of like the inclusion of Christian content since nearly all our curriculum is secular, so it doesn't matter if it's Christian or secular. So the wish list: Easy to do, challenging words, spelling rules, workbook style with fun activities, and vocabulary included. Anyone have the perfect spelling match for me? Who knew spelling could be so difficult.

My daughter completed LOE foundations in K-1st. Last year (grade 2), we used the very light language arts in Bookshark (secular Sonlight) and I supplemented with some content from LOE. I had planned to use LOE Essentials this year, but can't bring myself to order. I just hate how long the lessons took in LOE and I wonder if it's a good fit. I also really want my daughter to learn diagramming and I don't see that mentioned in LOE content. Since my daughter has not enjoyed writing, I purchased Writing with Ease 1 for this year and planned to supplement Essentials with it. Now I'm thinking of dropping LOE and using First Language Lessons 3 (also looked at R&S but am leaning more toward FLL). Now, I realize that this will leave me without a spelling program. I've looked at so many spelling programs and don't like many. I like the ones with a workbook activity and think my daughter would enjoy that. She seems to be pretty good at spelling, but I've been having her copy words 2-5 times a day and am a big believer in that. I am thinking of using R&S spelling while continuing to review phonics and spelling rules from LOE. I also like the looks of Spellwell and Spelling Workout. If anyone could give guidance on these spelling programs, that would be wonderful. I need something with limited teaching time. Now, I wonder if this will actually be a time savings. I'm really concerned about giving my new K student enough time. I already feel that I've spent too much time on my older child and that my K child should have been reading last year (he'll be an older K student, turning 6 at end of October). I also have an overactive 2.5 year old. I will be doing LOE Foundations with my K student. Does FLL, WWE, and R&S spelling sound like too much for 3rd grade language arts?

Ok - I'm on my 4th spelling program since we started homeschooling in 2nd grade. (All About Spelling, Spelling Power, Building Spelling Skills, Spelling City). With each, they memorize the list for the Friday "test" just fine, but what I'm finding - now that they are writing papers - is that it isn't translating to writing. They're heading into middle school and so there's an urgency to get this fixed. Any advice on approaching this subject at this point?? Thanks!

We've tried All About Spelling and are currently doing Spelling Workout. Is there a spelling program out there that is between the two? I like AAS, because it teaches the rules. I like Spelling Workout because of the way each day is laid out; crossword puzzle, fill in the blank, etc. My son is currently working his way (very quickly) through SW B. I'm looking for next year, 3rd grade. Thank you in advance for your replies :)

For anybody using this, I've made a PDF of little cards (8 to a page) of the words for the first 107 lessons (except those that are for memorizing a poem, etc.). I think I'll do more eventually, but we're moving pretty slowly! If anybody's not familiar with Wheeler's, it's free online because it's beyond copyright--published in 1901. I like it because it mostly uses vowel sounds and rhyming words to organize the lessons.

Hi. I'm doing some research for next school year. My DD6 will be in second grade next year. For first grade language arts we used FLL1, WWE1, Zaner-Bloser Handwriting 1 & then had a really hard time with spelling. A Reason for Spelling was too easy and had too much busywork. We tried K-12 reader and the words were the right level but it had no guidance. I am a natural speller and don't really know any spelling rules, but I would like her to know them. I need hand holding in this regard. We're trying out AAS, which I know will be too easy but may be what I'm looking for as far as spelling. Anyway, I'm finding that having all these pieces for Language Arts, just isn't working for us. We manage to do FLL but are way behind in WWE because we just don't get to it each day. We're doing ok with handwriting. It all feels disjointed. I don't think it's the curriculum... it's definitely us (or maybe, just me). What I'm thinking of doing is CLE LA 2 next year which would cover just about everything. I feel like writing could be covered through the content areas fairly well. I've noticed, however, that many people skip the spelling but I am not finding any clear reason as to why. I've looked over the samples and the words look appropriate for grade level and I see that they include spelling rules. Am I missing some glaring issue? I'm not opposed to doing a different spelling program, but I want to understand why I would need to first. Anyone with experience want to explain? Thanks.

I am really having a hard time deciding which spelling program to go with for my 8 year old. I originally purchased All About Spelling but I returned it because I didn't like how my son can't do it on his own. I tried Spelling You See "Jack and Jill" but my son was so bored with it because it was way too easy. So, I purchased the next level and it seems like he isn't ready for it yet. So I think I'm going to return it. Now I'm trying to find something else and I'm stuck between Rod & Staff's Spelling by Sound and Structure and Spelling Workout. I want a workbook format so that my son can work on his own as much as possible and is not expensive like All About Spelling. I also have read many posts on how SYS does not go over spelling rules and that bothers me. I know TWTM suggest SW but is it any better than SSS? Is SSS any better than SW? Between the two, which would be better for a wiggly child that just want to get it over with? I am thinking SW because it is in color. Any thoughts?

I have several questions that I am hoping to get some help/clarification with.I apologize in advance if this post becomes too long. This is our first year using ELTL. I am using Level 1 with my 7 year old son who is still learning to read and Level 4 with my 9 year old daughter who is a fluent reader, but terrible speller. I am also using RLTL Level 1 with both...for my son to learn to read and my daughter to help with her spelling. We are only on our second week using it and I'm just wondering if I am using the program correctly. With my so, I sit with him and read the assigned literature (for ELTL) reading, then talk him through each example. We then read the poem and fable, if there is one, and then he does the copywork. My question is, he does not enjoy most of the fables and always asks me why we are reading a poem everyday. Am I supposed to have him doing something with the poems and fables? Or just reading them to him daily, then having him narrate on the lessons that it says to do so? Does anyone skip reading the fables/poems, and if so, what do you do instead? Now, for my daughter, she does most of her ELTL lesson herself. She reads her literature assignment, does the exercises and writes in her commonplace book. My question for her is, when it comes to dictation and the condensed narrative, since she is a pretty poor speller, how would you go about doing both? So far, I've just been skipping the dictation and today, for the condensed narrative lesson, I had her just narrate to me instead of writing it all down. Is this ok to do until her spelling becomes stronger, or should I be doing something else? With RLTL, we are still just learning the phonograms. I've been going over 4 new ones a day with them both, having them review the ones we'e already learned each day, and writing them in their notebooks. And that's been it so far. It just feels like I'm missing something. Has anyone used RLTL with a struggling speller successfully, or should I supplement with a spelling program? If so, which program would you suggest? Again, I apologize for the length of the post, but appreciate any help you can offer.

My oldest daughter is 9 years old. We will be using ELTL for the first time this year. This past school year, we were using R&S for Grammar and Spelling. She loves to write stories and does pretty good forming sentences and paragraphs. However, her spelling needs a lot of work. So, my questions are, should I be using a writing program as well, or will ELTL be sufficient? And, should I give ELTL a chance before supplementing with a spelling program, or should I do a little extra in this area since I know it's already a problem that needs addressed? Thanks in advance!

Do you find that ELTL is complete, or do you feel the need to supplement? I bought ELTL to use with my 4th and 2nd grader next year and I was just curious if I needed to add anything else for spelling instruction? Other than that, it looks pretty good and I'm excited to give it a try.

My 3rd grade son took the Stanford 10 last week. I received the results back this morning and the only thing he struggled with was Word Study Skills. I'm not sure exactly what that is as we did not practice for the test. I have a feeling he may not have understood what was being asked, but never the less, I want to make sure I'm teaching him all he needs. He has struggled in spelling this year (we use SWR) and seems to have a hard time retaining words from week to week (I always include words from past lists). Is there a spelling curriculum anyone would recommend that covers word study skills and helps students to retain spelling words? I've looked at ABeCeDarian Word Study, but I'm not sure. What about AAS? My 1st grader is a phenomenal speller because he has a photographic memory and if he has read the word, he can spell the word. The only problem with that is he doesn't want to sound out words for spelling, but just write them down. I will also have a K5 student next year so I would like to get something I could use for all of them. Should I get something just for Word Study Skills and keep SWR? I've liked the curriculum (we've done since K5 with my oldest) or is there something that would work for both? Thanks!

My daughter is bad at spelling. We've been homeschooling for 3 years now and haven't done a formal spelling program. I just go over words with her as I see misspellings in her writings. But I'm thinking she needs something more. She spells words the way they sound. Any suggestions for this age?

My two middle children seem to have some sort of genetic predisposition to be horrific spellers despite the many years of daily spelling workbooks. I have tried a number of spelling programs and I'm at the point where I need something truly awesome. I recently heard of a program called Spelling Mastery. If anyone has experience with this program I would be very interested in hearing how it works. I would also be interested in hearing about any programs that have worked for you, especially if your children have had spelling difficulties in the past. My kids are 10 and 12. Mild dyslexia as well as dysgraphia may be a concern. Thanks so much!