Tenaj Posted June 29, 2009 Share Posted June 29, 2009 I really, really like the more teacher hands-on approaches to spelling. I have and have used Spelling Power, and How to Teach Spelling but I'm running out of time to actually implement these methods. My seventh grader is using sequential spelling (with Megawords) which of course, requires my hands-on attention. So I'm thinking of putting my first grader and third grader into a workbook approach, at least for this year with our new little one due to arrive at the beginning of our school year. I've used Spelling Workout with little success at retention (long ago with my older kids), I've used Building Spelling Skills but even the first book has 20 words per list which is a LOT for a little kid. I've been looking at A Reason for Spelling but am worried that it's not "rules-based" enough for my liking. I like the fact that dictation is included and the pages with lots of color look like fun. Am I missing any great, super, wonderful (is that enough adjectives?) workbook approach spelling curriculums out there that I should consider? Or am I agonizing over a decision that should be an easy one, just pick one and do it and not worry so much! I'm guessing probably the second! Thanks so much for your help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amie Posted June 29, 2009 Share Posted June 29, 2009 Sorry--haven't used it, but I really like the look of R&S Spelling, and I've heard great things about it. And just a little side note (if you care), Cheryl Lowe (from Memoria Press) uses it at her private school in KY--they use it one grade level ahead throughout elementary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudoMom Posted June 29, 2009 Share Posted June 29, 2009 I like the Spelling Skills workbooks from Barnes & Noble. They are inexpensive and colorful, and seem to be similar to Spelling Workout. I'm able to buy them at my local store and use my teacher discount. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beezus Posted June 29, 2009 Share Posted June 29, 2009 We used Zaner-Bloser Spelling Connections before and my kiddo like it as well as anything else we tried. You can look at some samples on their web site. We didn't buy the teacher's manual. The student workbooks seem pretty self-explanatory. http://www.zaner-bloser.com/educator/products/spelling/index.aspx?id=224 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
way2cross Posted June 29, 2009 Share Posted June 29, 2009 I've been looking at A Reason For Spelling. I think we're going to go with it. It has all good reviews so far that I've read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AudreyTN Posted June 29, 2009 Share Posted June 29, 2009 My rising 3rd grader is using Spellwell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ali in OR Posted June 29, 2009 Share Posted June 29, 2009 We like Rod and Staff. We switched to that from SWO a little over a year ago. I thought the activities in SWO were a lot of busywork that didn't necessarily help you learn anything. My rising 4th grader is about halfway through the 4th grade book. She does the work by herself, though I might give a brief (1 minute) overview of the lesson on Monday. She does section A on Monday, B on Tuesday, C on Wednesday, and then tests on Thursday or Friday. The activities with the words are actually teaching English language skills--very worthwhile, no busy work. My rising first grader will be starting the 2nd grade book (that's where R&S begins). She is an older first grader and is reading well and the 2nd grade book looks very appropriate both word-wise and quantity-of-writing-wise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 29, 2009 Share Posted June 29, 2009 We liked Evan Moor's Building Spelling Skills Daily Practice. It has dictation. The first book starts with 5 words, I believe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LNC Posted June 29, 2009 Share Posted June 29, 2009 Christian Liberty Press Building Spelling Skills!!! This site has samples and reviews of the workbooks - http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/easy_find?N=5100+1030413+4294961778&Ne=12000&Ns=product.number_sold&Nso=1%CE%9D=product.endeca_rollup&event=AFF&p=1012563 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom31257 Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 I saw someone recommended this. I'll be using Christian Liberty Press with my 1st grader, too. I like that it's phonetic, simple to follow, and cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marylou Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 The Phonetic Zoo is very hands off and fun, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetzmama Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 Has anyone heard of or used Bonnie Terry's Spelling Sense? It is supposed to break down most of the most common 500 words into just 8 spelling patterns. Maybe another program does this as well? The site has no sample pages:tongue_smilie: but appears to be highly recommended. Thanks for your input! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 Your 3rd grader could do the Calvert Spelling cd's, which my dd enjoys. For the 1st grader, I'd probably do copywork and play phonogram bingo or other spelling games. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orthodox6 Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 We have used both MCP spelling and ABeka spelling. Both are "functional" and helpful, we think. Used Calvert's old spelling CDs with our older two children. They are overly simple (use one or two grade levels above what your child acrually is), but delightful ! The current Calvert program ("Everyday Spelling") also is fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3Rivers Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 I'm going with Spellwell this year for my third grader. They are the same company that does the "Code" books, which he enjoys. I'm going light on spelling for him. I'll be honest, spelling was always easy for me and I despise word lists and prefer to correct/teach word construction and roots as we go in the younger grades. There is plenty of opportunity for practicing good spelling habits within the context of his copywork, handwriting, reading and grammar studies so I don't worry about it. Spellwell is just enough for me. I'm looking forward to digging into our Bob Jones spelling workbook with DD, my 6th grader in a few weeks. It is more than just spelling lists and has some interesting essays about words, roots and literature as well. I think she will enjoy it. Caveat: We have yet to USE these two products. ;) So far, I just like what I see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nukeswife Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 When my son was younger he liked the Evan Moor building spelling skills and I liked that it came as an ebook so I could print things off as we went. We tried SWO and it wasn't for him. He's also tried Spelling power and AAS. but we need more hands off spelling for me so this year we're going to try Phonetic zoo. I do have Apples and Pears just in case PZ isn't his cup of tea and I love the looks of it. My dd who is technically 2nd grade but only in 1st grade level LA work will use McRuffy for LA which includes phonics, reading, and spelling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LivingUnderGrace Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 We begin using Spelling Workout around age 9 or 10. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelly in the Country Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 We really like R&S Spelling by Sound and Structure here. We switched from Spelling Power, though I still use the practice worksheets from Spelling Power if my dd misses a word. Her spelling has improved a great deal since the switch. I just started my 5yo ds on Spelling by Sound and Structure 2 since we just finished up his phonics program. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HSMom2One Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 Spelling Workout, and that is what we've been using for the past two years. Dd has done very well with spelling through this workbook, and one thing I really like is that there is always a small section that includes composition using the current weekly word list. We would continue with SW, but dd has expressed a need for a change since she has not used anything else so far. We will be going with Spelling Power (which is recommended by TOG). This program is not workbook based, but rather a curriculum that you purchase once and use in increments over several grades or stages. Blessings, Lucinda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melis108 Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 I like Spelling Workout. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imprimis Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 (edited) We've used both Spelling Workout and A Beka with success. I probably prefer Spelling Workout. I think it does a great job of teaching important spelling rules, plus, as SWB and JW point out, Spelling Workout also introduces proofreading marks. Edited July 15, 2009 by Imprimis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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