hs4ze Posted August 2, 2010 Share Posted August 2, 2010 Hi, When is an appropriate time to start spelling? Should we wait until we start a formal writing course (~4th grade) or is there a reason to start it earlier? Phonetic Zoo seems appealing b/c its audio learning, but the physical writing is too early for us yet (now at "2nd grade.") Also considering the "memorize a list" option, or "make a list of misspelled words" that are made during non-school time... but is it worth starting before actually beginning a writing course? Obviously, I'm hesitant to add another "subject," but wanted to make sure there isn't major reason to start before then. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracy Posted August 3, 2010 Share Posted August 3, 2010 I see spelling as a preparation for writing. Of course, this is going to be different for every child, but I would hate to start a 4th grade writing course and find that the child is struggling with the spelling to the point that he has to focus on spelling at the expense of other writing strategies. If you have a natural speller, you may never need a formal spelling course, and just keeping a running list of words spelled wrong could be enough. But some kids need more than that, and if so, I would want to have worked on it prior to a formal writing course. My kids are a little young, but I do think that some sort of phonics should be taught all along. Once a child is reading, then I think that a phonics-based spelling program is the way to go. I am using SWR, which teaches reading and spelling at the same time. But my reason for using it is because it teaches the spelling rules, and my dd loves rule so much that she will make them up if I don't give them to her (and the rules she makes up are not always correct). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tardis Girl Posted August 4, 2010 Share Posted August 4, 2010 My older kids were more natural spellers, I think, but I found that copywork at 2nd grade was adequate work (and not very time consuming), as well as addressing spelling at the point of need. You can get copywork from any number of sources, often for free. I did end up buying Spelling Wisdom from Simply Charlotte Mason as it was a timesaver for me to just have it all there and ready to go. Dictation (where the child prepares for the passage by reading over it, studying words they may not be certain about, then writing it while you dictate the passage) was also very useful, but I don't think we did it until they were a bit older than your 2nd grader. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest candacegq28 Posted August 4, 2010 Share Posted August 4, 2010 We're using a program I found last year called All About Spelling. I searched for a long time for a program that worked for us and I *love* this one. The workbook approach just wasnt sticking with my kids. (who learn easily) Check out the website: allaboutspelling.com It's starts out with very simple words and rules. 1st grade would be okay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Satori Posted August 4, 2010 Share Posted August 4, 2010 We started in kindergarten, soon after we started our phonics reading program. We also use All-About-Spelling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lightly Salted Posted August 5, 2010 Share Posted August 5, 2010 We started in kindergarten, soon after we started our phonics reading program. We also use All-About-Spelling. :iagree: we're starting AAS in 1st and 2nd grades, but if I had it to do over again, I would have started in kindergarten. It blends phonics and spelling, building very gradually and gently and it's really been great in helping DD overcome spelling programs when other traditional programs didn't - and it's showing up in her writing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallory Posted August 5, 2010 Share Posted August 5, 2010 I wait until 4th or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MerryAtHope Posted August 5, 2010 Share Posted August 5, 2010 :iagree: we're starting AAS in 1st and 2nd grades, but if I had it to do over again, I would have started in kindergarten. It blends phonics and spelling, building very gradually and gently and it's really been great in helping DD overcome spelling programs when other traditional programs didn't - and it's showing up in her writing! I only wish I'd had AAS when my kids were in K or 1st, LOL! It's adaptable enough that you can start young or start when they are older, have fun with it & your kids can grow with it. But I think we'd have had fewer bad habits to undo if we had started younger. Merry :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrissySC Posted August 5, 2010 Share Posted August 5, 2010 I would start now. Many have used AAS or Explode the Code. I look at spelling as being an extension of phonics. We did move to Megawords this year. I still teach phonics/reading! I will until the end of the sixth grade too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.