4Kiddos Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 Could anyone tell me the difference between these two programs? Can you compare and contrast? Which one did you like better? I would appreciate the help!:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 SWR is a Spalding spin-off (Spalding is the method; WRTR is the manual). I think people should use what works for them. I prefer Spalding. Here's a site that does a comparison. It's pretty good, although I would disagree with her that earlier editions of WRTR were difficult to work with. I also wish she would write "Spalding" instead of "WRTR" :) (Spalding is the method; WRTR is the manual). Anyway, HTH. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shanvan Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 SWR is a Spalding spin-off (Spalding is the method; WRTR is the manual). I think people should use what works for them. I prefer Spalding. Here's a site that does a comparison. It's pretty good, although I would disagree with her that earlier editions of WRTR were difficult to work with. I also wish she would write "Spalding" instead of "WRTR" :) (Spalding is the method; WRTR is the manual). Anyway, HTH. :) :iagree:though I can see why some might say early WRTR was somewhat difficult to work with. I had one and it took me a while to get the idea. However, if anyone thinks that edition was confusing, they haven't taken a look at SWR. I love the actual info contained in SWR, but the manual is horrible. After looking at it for the umpteenth time I had a breakthrough moment. Why, when I am teaching my children to write and express their ideas clearly, why would I continue to use a book that is written in a way that seems to purposely confuse? IMO she needed some editing help! Great ideas, poor delivery. My time is too valuable to wade through pages of writing that are as clear as mud. I kept it on my shelves for reference, but don't use it as my main curriculum or approach. All that is to say if you have time and SWR works for you, use it. Given the choice, I'd pick WRTR. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs. A Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 We are using SWR and liking it so far. As mentioned above the manual is pretty dense, but I've found that simply jumping right in and doing as I go along helps my understanding of how it's working. I can't help with comparison as I haven't really looked at Spalding closely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lewelma Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 We used SWR for 3 years. Wonderful program for a child with major spelling problems. It took me 40 hours to read the manual (1 very intense week), and then I could plan a week's lessons in 10 minutes every Sunday night. Ruth in NZ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4Kiddos Posted January 7, 2012 Author Share Posted January 7, 2012 Thank you all! This has been really helpful. I already have Spell to Write and Read as I got it inexpensively but I did not know that Spalding was the original. I have been reading SWR and have found it a little confusing. I think that I will keep plugging along for now and then perhaps change if I cannot get it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apple4 Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 Check out www.morningstarlearning Britta has a nice website. There are some utube sites with people teaching the program. It is hard to learn but once you get it, it is open and go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HiddenJewel Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 I don't know enough about Spalding to comment on it although I like several of the ideas presented in WRTR and finally understood it much better after reading the 5th edition for the umpteenth time. If you are going to use SWR, find someone experienced to walk through it with you or take one of the classes. I find the manual frustrating but I haven't been able to come up with a better way that it could be presented either. So I can't complain unless I could do better. But it is definitely a program that it better learned by jumping in and starting it yourself. Not an easy task for someone who needs to see the big picture before starting a project. I wrote a blog entry a while back that might help those who are struggling with understanding SWR. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 Have you seen my Quick & Dirty Guide to SWR on lulu? It's free, written back in the day... Part of the deal with SWR is not being too perfectionist or wanting to understand it too well upfront. Yes, Sanseri is this chronological, detail person that drives big-picture learners batty. But the Wise Guide itself is SO marvelous and SUCH a gem, there's no reason to throw the baby out with the bathwater. Get my guide on lulu, open up the Wise Guide, and get going! WRTR isn't particularly easy to understand either; I threw it at the wall multiple times before I decided I was going to beat the beast. Then, when I realized it wasn't going to give me all the tools I wanted to actually TEACH the material (all those little things like sample sentences, enrichments, games, etc.) I moved on to SWR. There's nothing wrong with WRTR and it's plenty for some people. But when you have SWR, there's no need to move. Just conquer the beast. Yup, the main thing is not to be too perfectionist. It's better to teach it IMPERFECTLY and get started then it is to sweat into a lather till you're afraid to do anything. Just take the plunge. You'll find your own way of teaching it that fits your kids and you'll be great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4Kiddos Posted January 7, 2012 Author Share Posted January 7, 2012 Have you seen my Quick & Dirty Guide to SWR on lulu? It's free, written back in the day... Part of the deal with SWR is not being too perfectionist or wanting to understand it too well upfront. Yes, Sanseri is this chronological, detail person that drives big-picture learners batty. But the Wise Guide itself is SO marvelous and SUCH a gem, there's no reason to throw the baby out with the bathwater. Get my guide on lulu, open up the Wise Guide, and get going! WRTR isn't particularly easy to understand either; I threw it at the wall multiple times before I decided I was going to beat the beast. Then, when I realized it wasn't going to give me all the tools I wanted to actually TEACH the material (all those little things like sample sentences, enrichments, games, etc.) I moved on to SWR. There's nothing wrong with WRTR and it's plenty for some people. But when you have SWR, there's no need to move. Just conquer the beast. Yup, the main thing is not to be too perfectionist. It's better to teach it IMPERFECTLY and get started then it is to sweat into a lather till you're afraid to do anything. Just take the plunge. You'll find your own way of teaching it that fits your kids and you'll be great. Thank you so much for this. It is so encouraging and I really appreciate it! I will look up your guide on Lulu! Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4Kiddos Posted January 7, 2012 Author Share Posted January 7, 2012 Thanks for your blog link HiddenJewel and for the website Apple4. I have bookmarked them and will read them. I am so excited for the information. You have all given me a lot of encouragement and I really appreciate it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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