All About Spelling--what to buy and where to start?

[AprilTN]

I have a 4th grader that is a poor speller and a 1st grader that is a good speller. I want to try All About Spelling. Is there sufficient review in Level 2 or do I need to start in Level 1? I think if we did Level 1 we would sail through it quickly. I don't want to spend the $$ on Level 1 if those skills are reviewed in Level 2.

[walkermamaof4]

i just bought this and everyone told me to start in level one to make sure they don't have any holes in their knowledge.

[Sandy in Indy]

There is a review in Level 2. If your kids are versed in phonics, you could probably pick AAS up at that point. (If nothing else, you can purchase Level 1, then decide if you need the next level. AAS is fully returnable for up to a year.)

 

AAS can only be purchased through all-about-spelling.com.

[jensway]

I had a poor speller in 5th grade and we started with level 1 this year. We went through it very quickly but I'm glad we started there. We have just finished level 2. So I'll be looking for level 3 & 4 on the used boards. I really try to find used because I have 1 ds and bought new would be hard to justify.

 

Maybe you could do the same for level 1 & 2. If you are interested in a level 2 book and word cards let me know.

[susie in tx]

You could probably start your 4th grader in Level 2 if he's had prior phonics experience, but I would start your 1st grader in Level 1.

[MerryAtHope]

I'd start in Level 1. I do think you'll go through it quickly but it has important segmenting activities that can really help a poor speller. You could take your oldest through it first, and then take your youngest through it, and re-use the materials that way.

 

If you do start in Level 2, you'll likely still need a materials packet from Level 1 to cover the rules and phonograms taught. There's an FAQ article that discusses which level to start in. Note that when it asks if your child knows all of the phonograms, they mean that O can stand for 4 sounds, CH has 3, S has 2, etc...

 

HTH! Merry :-)

[alegnab]

I also think you should start All About Spelling at Level 1. I started dd there last fall, even though she had been doing SWR/Wise Guide. She went through level 1 quite quickly, completed Level 2, and now she's in Level 3. Ds#3, who'll be 8yo next month, has been working in Level 1 since last fall. I'm taking it much more slowly with him. He's almost finished with it.

 

But look at the Scope and Sequence for Level 1. You should be able to tell whether your dc needs to do that level.

[abreakfromlife]

Another one for Level 1 - even if you go through it quickly, it teaches some spelling rules and is good practice for later lessons. I am going through it with my second grader and we have done 19 lessons in 5 days :D That alone has been an incredible morale booster for her. And I am in awe of the rules. I was a natural reader and know no spelling rules........I had no idea there was a rule on when to use k or ck at the end of a word, or when c makes an s or k sound.....I think that is the coolest thing, LOL.

[calandalsmom]

Start at level one and move quickly if you need too.

 

You will be amazed at what they do NOT know.

 

For example, can you name all 4 sounds of the y?

 

I couldnt. The one I missed? as heard in gym.

 

We did levels 1 and 2 this year.

 

One thing I learned is that I wont buy 2 student packets anymore. My good speller doesnt need me to keep track (he is almost 9).

 

Both do exactly the same thing at the exact same time/ pace. I direct it all to the problem speller (age 11).