HSMom2One Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 Please talk to me about SP if you have used it and have good things to say. (I have purchased this program and don't want to be dissuaded from using it, please.) Right now I am spending time getting familiar with it because we begin school next Monday, and time's a wastin'! I have to say this is different than any spelling curriculum I've ever seen or used...so much to study and prepare for in advance! But it seems like a great program once I figure it all out. I'd like to know if you and your dc caught on quickly and how long you stayed with the program. Do you feel that your dc progressed more successfully with SP than with other programs, or was it just fun to do for a while? Blessings, Lucinda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BettyL Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 I use Spelling Power with my 8 year old dd and she really likes it. I believe the program has been very effective. She has gotten through the first 10 lists in 3 weeks and has taken the first delayed recall test today and scored 100%! If you have gotten the most recent edition you received a resource CD and a DVD that explains the program. We follow the basic program of 5 minutes testing, 5 minutes of review, (using the 10 step process), sentence writing, then a 5 minute activity. I did not purchase the student booklets as the resource CD has pages to print off as needed. My daughter loves the activities. The resource CD has some of the activities you can print out onto cardstock, but a friend of mine gave me the purchased box of pre-printed cards and there are so many great ideas in there. It is truly worth the money! I like how the cards include great reinforcement spelling activities along with dictionary, grammar and writing skills. I feel it is a well rounded program. I also love that the child sets the pace. I mean, why have the same word to work on all week when you already know how to spell it? My daughter has loved the sand writing, yarn words, crayon scrapings and tape recording activities the best so far. The activity box is color coded and is graduated for different ages and abilities. So, there's plenty of room to grow! I hope you enjoy using the program and that it is effective for you as well!:001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orangearrow Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 It's the first spelling curriculum that has worked well for both my girls. One is a gifted/natural speller - the other is a challenged speller. We zip through the lists and they no longer dread spelling. :) So - it's all good as far as I'm concerned! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
funschooler5 Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 I love how it gets right to the point. :001_smile: My kids only study the words they are having problems with, and there isn't all that busywork that you find in many other spelling programs. The manual is kind of daunting at first, but after you do the routine a few times, it's easy. I haven't gotten around to doing many of the activities yet, but I do keep meaning to purchase the activty cards set. My kids enjoy writing their study words on the white erase board and erasing it with their fingers, though. (This is one of the suggested study activities.) I have to say SP is one of my favorite curriculum purchases ever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori in MS Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 We love it here too. I have used it for several years and plan to continue through all of the levels. I love the 10 step studying process. But the best thing this year is that is has helped my ds9 in his frustrations in spelling. He is making progress for the first time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abbeyej Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 My only real complaint is the excessive and confusing instruction section. What I *love* about it is the great flexibility (it can be used for struggling or very strong spellers), and the fact that many years are contained in a single volume. I think you're dealing with the difficult part now (figuring out how to use it), and once you get past that, it'll become a lot more useable. I found the Quick Start Guide (or whatever it's called -- I don't have it in front of me, and it's been a few years since I read those sections) helpful. Also, feel free to *make* it work for you. Not every child benefits from every step for studying words. Some children may need each step and maybe some reinforcement along the way. Other kids can just work from the lists and only need to write each word correctly a couple of times to remember them... Don't be afraid to make adjustments as you see what works for your particular child. As I said, the range of words across grade levels and the flexibility of the program is what has worked well for us. Also, if you find your child is stressed initially by spelling from a list s/he hasn't seen previously, some people do allow their children to study the list ahead of time. That hasn't been an issue for us, but it's worth keeping in mind. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HollyDay Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 I'm seeing positive results from it. The only thing I would add would be phonogram cards. My youngest does better if she "knows the rules". My oldest does not like to use phonogram cards because so many words "break the rules". This program allows you to teach both ways. And it gives creative flexibility to the dc in the learning process. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tammyla Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 :iagree: The program is so easy to use, but that IM is a stumbling block for many would be users. Imo...The IM should be rewritten:D. My only real complaint is the excessive and confusing instruction section. What I *love* about it is the great flexibility (it can be used for struggling or very strong spellers), and the fact that many years are contained in a single volume. I think you're dealing with the difficult part now (figuring out how to use it), and once you get past that, it'll become a lot more useable. I found the Quick Start Guide (or whatever it's called -- I don't have it in front of me, and it's been a few years since I read those sections) helpful. Also, feel free to *make* it work for you. Not every child benefits from every step for studying words. Some children may need each step and maybe some reinforcement along the way. Other kids can just work from the lists and only need to write each word correctly a couple of times to remember them... Don't be afraid to make adjustments as you see what works for your particular child. As I said, the range of words across grade levels and the flexibility of the program is what has worked well for us. Also, if you find your child is stressed initially by spelling from a list s/he hasn't seen previously, some people do allow their children to study the list ahead of time. That hasn't been an issue for us, but it's worth keeping in mind. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macrina Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 The IM makes it look harder then it is. I've left SP two times out of intimidation and come back, finally figured it out (was SO more straight forward then I thought!) and now love it. DD tolerates it. She THINKS there is something out there she would like better, but the truth of the matter is she just hates spelling! lol! She is very good at it though and I beleive that is becuase of SP. Totally worth wading through the muck of the IM to make to program work. And once you have it figured out, it's totally simple and straight forward. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ibbygirl Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 My dd has done spelling power for 3 years now and loves it. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JennyW Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 My daughter loves her spelling now that we use Spelling Power. She's 8. We did it for second grade, and she got through the whole level that year. (Level C for her.) It just makes sense to only study words that you don't know how to spell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vida Winter Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 I like the method. I'm not thrilled with their spelling lists. So what we've done is use other spelling lists, using the SP method and testing/study sheets. I like how it gets right to the point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rwjx2khsmj Posted September 12, 2009 Share Posted September 12, 2009 I'm using it with my 2nd grader, 5th grader and 8th grader. It ROCKS! We all love how quickly it moves and the feeling of success for all the words that we spell correctly every day. I also love that the review of missed words is so self directed. The instructions are intimidating. Just keep reading and then GO! It's worth the effort and not difficult once you get started. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest lahmeh Posted September 19, 2009 Share Posted September 19, 2009 (edited) Sorry, I'm having some posting issues today! Edited September 19, 2009 by lahmeh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest lahmeh Posted September 19, 2009 Share Posted September 19, 2009 :lurk5: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest lahmeh Posted September 19, 2009 Share Posted September 19, 2009 :lurk5: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcjlkplus3 Posted September 19, 2009 Share Posted September 19, 2009 We use it and love it. I have friends who were using it before me, so I had an idea of how it works. I didn't watch the Quick-Start dvd OR read the guide. I do read a little bit now and then. We started young so for most of last year did the study-test-study method recommended for younger kids. I just last week read throught the 10-step study sheet "directions" and I think that it will work better for my girl this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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