AAS - too much instruction?

[Hakg]

My DS8 has been using AAS for the last year and a bit. I found book 1 to be very helpful and just right in terms of instruction. About half way into book 2, I started to feel like there was just too much instruction for my DS who is an okay speller. When we got to open closed multi-syllables and how to divide them to spell (about half way into book 2), it began to feel tedious, almost remedial. I feel DS needs some instruction but not the amount AAS gives. Its too much, too explicit. I have searched here to see if anyone else has felt the same but couldnt really find much. We are about to finish level 2 in a week or so, and I am not keen to start on level 3.

 

Just as a bit of background, we have tried Sequential Spelling (bombed - DS is a not a spelling lists kind of child). We tried Spelling Workout (no retention and it felt like busywork).

 

I dont want spelling to take up a great deal of time, especially when the time can be better used on other subjects.

 

I am particularly interested to hear from those who have used AAS, and then dropped it during or after level 2, and what you picked up instead?

 

Thanks :)

[Heather R]

We have continued into Levels 3 & 4, and it does pick up the pace considerably. I like AAS, but I have often thought that if I did switch, it would be to How to Teach Spelling with the accompanying workbooks. I use it in conjunction with AAS to find harder words that apply the same rule we are learning in AAS. I *think* you could go to HTTS book 2 after AAS 2, but don't jump straight to book 3. Book 3 of HTTS is about a grade 4-6 level, so significantly beyond AAS 2.

 

Heather

[Dahliarw]

You don't have to use it as scripted either. If your child gets one aspect really well and doesn't need to review it or go over it again, skip that part of the lessons.

[Grover]

we're approaching the end of level 5. I just did as much or as little (usually the latter) of the instruction as we needed to for DS to master the step and then we moved on.

[Hakg]

Thank you. Will give this all some thought. :)

[StartingOver]

I have on natural speller and one not quite, I approach AAS differently for each. With my son we only go over those rules that he doesn't naturally get. Easy Peasy.

[twoxcell]

We switched to Rod and Staff spelling.

[edeemarie]

We switched to Writing Road to Reading and it was much easier for me to understand after using AAS. I couldn't justify the cost of the next levels when my kids were going through it so fast. We are all very happy with WRTR.