ByGrace3 Posted February 2, 2013 Share Posted February 2, 2013 We will be finishing AAS level 3 in the next few weeks, and I am debating continuing. I like AAS and it is working, so I keep hearing the "don't fix what is not broken." However, it is me intensive and while I am ok with that if need be, I have heard so many switch after level three. Can I hear some reasons for or against staying with AAS? And if not AAS, then what? I considered Phonetic Zoo, but dd is not an auditory learner at all, so will that be a disaster? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KristenR Posted February 2, 2013 Share Posted February 2, 2013 We will be finishing AAS level 3 in the next few weeks, and I am debating continuing. I like AAS and it is working, so I keep hearing the "don't fix what is not broken." However, it is me intensive and while I am ok with that if need be, I have heard so many switch after level three. Can I hear some reasons for or against staying with AAS? And if not AAS, then what? I considered Phonetic Zoo, but dd is not an auditory learner at all, so will that be a disaster? Thanks! No advice, but I want to listen in. We are about 1/3 of the way in on Level 4. We do love AAS- and like you said- my mindset was that it was working well-- my daughter is a fabulous speller-- so we should stick with it... But on the flip side- I hate having to purchase up a level every time.... it just gets expensive. And it remains just as teacher-intensive in Level 4. (At least, up to where I am currently anyway.) I feel like my daughter could easily handle something more self-directed and it would free me up some to work on something with my younger girls. In any event, I'll be listening in... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisa in the UP of MI Posted February 2, 2013 Share Posted February 2, 2013 We still love AAS and are halfway through level 4 (and almost done with level 1 with my first grader and partway through AAR pre-1 with my preschooler). I plan to continue through the end with AAS, but probably not AAR, since we already have something that we like for learning to read. Most of the curricula I pick is teacher intensive. My oldest dd is becoming more interested in doing some work on her own so I think we'll be trying a few new things next year. But spelling will stay the same! As far as the expense goes, yes I need to purchase a new level for my oldest each year. But after that I'm set. I won't need to buy anything else for spelling for my 4+ other kids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boscopup Posted February 2, 2013 Share Posted February 2, 2013 I left it halfway through level 3 due to the mom-intensiveness of it. We're happily using R&S Spelling (we started at grade 3 and now are in grade 4), and I've been VERY happy with it. In level 4, it is teaching everything that AAS was teaching us before, except that some things are done earlier. I mentioned in another thread today or yesterday that AAS doesn't do the "igh" phonogram until level 5. R&S covers more phonograms earlier, which I think is good for kids that are trying to write. They may need words like "light"! I love that R&S is done completely independently (except for the test at the end of the week). Grade 4 includes dictation sentences during the test. The daily work teaches the kids why and how the word is spelled, and also works on syllabication, dictionary usage, prefixes and suffixes, etc. I've been very impressed with the daily work, which looks simple at first, but when my son starts working on it, he actually has to think. I'm glad I made the switch, and I plan to just start with R&S when the next kid is ready for spelling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ByGrace3 Posted February 2, 2013 Author Share Posted February 2, 2013 I left it halfway through level 3 due to the mom-intensiveness of it. We're happily using R&S Spelling (we started at grade 3 and now are in grade 4), and I've been VERY happy with it. In level 4, it is teaching everything that AAS was teaching us before, except that some things are done earlier. I mentioned in another thread today or yesterday that AAS doesn't do the "igh" phonogram until level 5. R&S covers more phonograms earlier, which I think is good for kids that are trying to write. They may need words like "light"! I love that R&S is done completely independently (except for the test at the end of the week). Grade 4 includes dictation sentences during the test. The daily work teaches the kids why and how the word is spelled, and also works on syllabication, dictionary usage, prefixes and suffixes, etc. I've been very impressed with the daily work, which looks simple at first, but when my son starts working on it, he actually has to think. I'm glad I made the switch, and I plan to just start with R&S when the next kid is ready for spelling. Thanks! I think the main thing I dislike about R&S is the textbook aspect. They don't have workbooks right? I dislike the idea of using a paper or notebook and having to write everything out. Is the spelling like the grammar in this aspect! Oh, and on a side note, "igh" was introduced in AAS 3 ... We just did it. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boscopup Posted February 2, 2013 Share Posted February 2, 2013 Thanks! I think the main thing I dislike about R&S is the textbook aspect. They don't have workbooks right? I dislike the idea of using a paper or notebook and having to write everything out. Is the spelling like the grammar in this aspect! R&S Spelling is workbooks up through grade 5. They switch to a textbook at grade 6. :) And from what I've heard, the amount of writing for grade 6 is the same as it is for the workbook. You just have to write the word that would go in the blank. But I also think my son is at a good stage to teach basic textbook skills (ie, how to number your paper, write next to the red line - the red line is your friend, etc.). Some of his math and all of his English is done via writing from a textbook now, and he's getting pretty good at it. His English papers are actually NEAT now! :D Oh, and on a side note, "igh" was introduced in AAS 3 ... We just did it. ;) Ok, I must be thinking of a different phonogram then. My mistake! I sold AAS last year (and haven't missed it!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ByGrace3 Posted February 2, 2013 Author Share Posted February 2, 2013 R&S Spelling is workbooks up through grade 5. They switch to a textbook at grade 6. :) And from what I've heard, the amount of writing for grade 6 is the same as it is for the workbook. You just have to write the word that would go in the blank. But I also think my son is at a good stage to teach basic textbook skills (ie, how to number your paper, write next to the red line - the red line is your friend, etc.). Some of his math and all of his English is done via writing from a textbook now, and he's getting pretty good at it. His English papers are actually NEAT now! :D Ok, I must be thinking of a different phonogram then. My mistake! I sold AAS last year (and haven't missed it!). Ok, good to know thanks. I will have to look at it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ByGrace3 Posted February 2, 2013 Author Share Posted February 2, 2013 Just curious, any idea where one would be placed in R&S after AAS3? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boscopup Posted February 2, 2013 Share Posted February 2, 2013 Just curious, any idea where one would be placed in R&S after AAS3? We went into the grade 3 book halfway through AAS3, but you *might* be able to jump into the grade 4 book. Take a look at samples of both and see which one seems more appropriate for your DD. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ewe Mama Posted February 2, 2013 Share Posted February 2, 2013 Not meaning to hijack, but is it better to do AAS 3 before transitioning to R&S, or is it just as easy to switch upon completion of AAS 2? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houseofkids&pets Posted February 2, 2013 Share Posted February 2, 2013 :lurk5: :bigear: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MerryAtHope Posted February 2, 2013 Share Posted February 2, 2013 AAS has worked well for us, so I've continued it all the way through (my son will finish 7 this year, and my dd will finish 6--maybe start 7). Levels 5-7 really bring everything together (I love all the root word work in L7, plus guidelines for tricky endings like ance vs. ence, etc...) Spelling was one area where my children needed a lot of help, so I felt that it was appropriate to put my time there, and find ways to add more independence in other subjects instead. For example, when my dd was 5th grade, I made science independent, which turned out to be a great thing for her--she took the subject and ran with it, and did many more experiments than before when I was more involved. Anyway...think through your priorities and where your dd most needs your help, and that might also help as you consider if you want to continue or if a change is in order. Merry :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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