bodiesmom Posted December 10, 2014 Share Posted December 10, 2014 Hi everyone- It is my understanding that B4 requires a Franklin Spelling Ace (it is currently being shipped so I haven't been able to see which one exactly Susan suggests). There are several from which to choose, and I was wondering if any of you would be willing to point me in the right direction based on your experience. Can we get by with the basic, least expensive one? Or is there some advantage to paying a bit more for a more advanced model? http://www.amazon.com/Franklin-Electronic-Publishers-SA-309-Merriam-Webster/dp/B000XQ6T74/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418238332&sr=8-1&keywords=Franklin+spelling+ace http://www.amazon.com/Franklin-Electronics-NCS-101-SPELLING-CORRECTOR/dp/1567120709/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1418238332&sr=8-2&keywords=Franklin+spelling+ace http://www.amazon.com/Franklin-Spelling-Ace-with-Thesaurus/dp/B0002I1JL4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1418238332&sr=8-3&keywords=Franklin+spelling+ace Thoughts? Thank you! D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneStepAtATime Posted December 10, 2014 Share Posted December 10, 2014 One should be coming with Level 4. It will be in the Level 4 box. Have you already gotten through Level 3? The only one you really need is the one that comes with Level 4. I ordered a second one so that DS could have his own when the time came but you shouldn't need a second one at this point. If you do, go with the one Susan Barton recommends (read the TM or her on-line stuff). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bodiesmom Posted December 10, 2014 Author Share Posted December 10, 2014 Aha! That might be why I purchased the level 4 used at such an amazing price! Lol! The gal I purchased it from said it was a complete kit, but didn't mention the spelling ace when specifically listing out each item. Looks like I need to contact her. 😄 No, we are definitely NOT through level 3 yet. I found B4 for less than half of new and, upon specifically clarifying with the seller that everything was in good shape and complete (except that speller), I took the risk and jumped on it. Thank you OneStep! D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneStepAtATime Posted December 10, 2014 Share Posted December 10, 2014 Oh, that makes total sense, then. O.k. yeah make sure it is in there 'cause I bet it isn't. Hmmm. The one I got with it is the Franklin Spelling Ace Pro and Puzzle Solver, model SA-309. It was the first one you linked. Not sure if others would work as well.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneStepAtATime Posted December 10, 2014 Share Posted December 10, 2014 Oh, and FWIW, with Level 4 I found that having a full extra set of the Level 2 tiles helped since there will be words with double letters and sometimes it helps if I can leave one word up while working with another word, etc. It is $10 through Barton to get a second set. The kids were using the tile app last year but DD especially prefers the tactile movement of the real tiles. Like STRONGLY prefers it. We only use the app when we are mobile now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bodiesmom Posted December 10, 2014 Author Share Posted December 10, 2014 Yeah, I'm thinking it doesn't either. 😄 thanks for the model #! Your dd sounds a lot like my dd. Looks like I need to purchase/or make some extra tiles. I appreciate the heads up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 Not to be dumb, but wouldn't an app be easier than that Franklin speller? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bodiesmom Posted December 11, 2014 Author Share Posted December 11, 2014 Not to be dumber....but I have no idea. 😃 Good question OhE! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneStepAtATime Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 My kids get really tired of apps. They want something physical to interact with. Yes, probably in the long run they will just run stuff through spell checker, but there is something more concrete about punching the letters into a physical keyboard. Along with that, the Franklin spellchecker has a mode where you have to get ALL the other letters correct except the one you are seeking (such as in the schwa sound). This is great for forcing them to have to think through and sound out (at least in their heads) how the word is spelled. It reinforces everything they have been learning so they don't become dependent on a device to spell everything for them. The spellchecker just fills in the letter that can't be sounded out. I realize that a lot of people think "Why care if they can spell if devices can do it for them?" If the kids were never able, if I had seen no signs of progress, then o.k. I would consider just dumping spelling altogether. But they ARE making progress and it is helping their confidence so much. Just even in little things like when they text chat while playing with friends on Minecraft for instance or in class at Landry they can more effectively communicate and not be embarrassed. They feel so much better about themselves when they don't get teased or corrected for poor spelling, KWIM? I think the Franklin speller has been a nice addition to the teaching arsenal from Barton because it isn't being used as a crutch so much as a useful teaching tool. It gets them used to using assistive devices when they need them, but in a controlled way so they don't undermine their own potential by relying only on assistive devices when they are capable of learning and functioning at a more independent level. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted December 12, 2014 Share Posted December 12, 2014 Just to rabbit trail here a minute, what does Barton do with herd/heard, son/sun, that kind of thing? Homonyms? wow, I must be tired, can't remember, lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneStepAtATime Posted December 12, 2014 Share Posted December 12, 2014 Just to rabbit trail here a minute, what does Barton do with herd/heard, son/sun, that kind of thing? Homonyms? wow, I must be tired, can't remember, lol. Not there yet so they must not be covered in anything prior to mid-Level 4. Maybe someone who is further along will respond... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timberly Posted December 12, 2014 Share Posted December 12, 2014 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest2 Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 We did buy the more complicated expensive Franklin Spellers. We liked that it has an auditory function to read the words. It is nice to hear the pronounciation of the words. Two of my kids use theirs all the time while reading or texting friends. It isn't necessary for the Bartons program though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneStepAtATime Posted December 18, 2014 Share Posted December 18, 2014 We did buy the more complicated expensive Franklin Spellers. We liked that it has an auditory function to read the words. It is nice to hear the pronounciation of the words. Two of my kids use theirs all the time while reading or texting friends. It isn't necessary for the Bartons program though. Do you have a model number you would be willing to share? Would you be interested in maybe posting a couple of pros and cons (if any) regarding using the more advanced FS? No pressure. Just curious and I thought it might help others reading this thread to decide which way to leap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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