mommy25 Posted December 6, 2008 Share Posted December 6, 2008 Looking at different spelling programs. Which ones have worked for you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beth in Central TX Posted December 6, 2008 Share Posted December 6, 2008 I use Rod & Staff spelling from 2nd grade to 8th grade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori D. Posted December 6, 2008 Share Posted December 6, 2008 For average speller son: - Did NOT work: Spelling Workout; Spelling Power - DID work: make our own spelling, using ABCs and All Their Tricks For struggling speller son: - Did NOT work: Spelling Workout; Spelling Power; Sonlight 1 & 2; Sequential Spelling -- tried it when he was too young) - DID work: Stevenson Blue Spelling Manual (for very visual explanation of vowel patterns/sounds) - DOES work: 1. Megawords 2. individualized spelling (using ABCs and All Their Tricks, Natural Speller) 3. specific practice techniques (daily oral/out loud practice; 2x/week roots/endings and homophone practice on whiteboard; 1-2x/ week dictation practice) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mapi Posted December 6, 2008 Share Posted December 6, 2008 I use R&S spelling for third grade. I honestly believe spelling is best learned incidentally rather than in formal teaching. Not always. But my dd is an ok speller so I figure I won't stress her out too much and she will learn as we read and write. At this stage she loves her spelling tests/lists because she is not overwhelmed. Sequential spelling looks appealing to me and I may try it after the current curriculum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanna Posted December 6, 2008 Share Posted December 6, 2008 Before the days of internet in this house we used Spelling Workout. I liked how it combines spelling with human interest stories (it was good practice for standardized testing). Oldest child is an excellent speller and never had trouble with the subject. Decided I needed something more streamlined now that I'm homeschooling 3 so we found Spellingcity.com. You can make your own lists or use one of theirs. There are games and a "teach me" function that my children appreciate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather in Neverland Posted December 6, 2008 Share Posted December 6, 2008 I do copywork until 4th grade then use Phonetic Zoo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiver0f10 Posted December 6, 2008 Share Posted December 6, 2008 Spell to Write and Read has worked the best for us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homeschoolmomtutu Posted December 6, 2008 Share Posted December 6, 2008 We use/used Spelling Workout (4 yrs +)...but with my younger one I am testing a changeover to phonetic zoo...we shall see:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendy in ME Posted December 6, 2008 Share Posted December 6, 2008 We started with Simply Spelling this year after no spelling success the past 2 years. We are up to week 12 and so far so good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LisaKinVA Posted December 6, 2008 Share Posted December 6, 2008 Abeka (especially in the younger grades) has always been a great fit for our family. I love that it introduces the spelling rules, and reinforces the special sounds of the phonics program, and that it's a work book program. Personally, if I had learned to spell this way spelling woud NOT have been such a horrible experience for me (the rules and sounds works best for me, versus word families) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizzyBee Posted December 6, 2008 Share Posted December 6, 2008 (edited) Calvert Spelling works great for my natural speller. But it's real value for us was with my mildly dyslexic 12 yo. I had begun to think this kid would be one of those people who never learns to spell, but Calvert worked like a magic pill for her after several other programs flopped (SWO, SWR, dictation, visual methods described in Right Brained Children in a Left Brained World). ETA: We use the old spelling CD's. I haven't used the new ones, so I don't know what the differences are or whether the new program would have been effective with my struggling speller. Edited December 7, 2008 by LizzyBee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siloam Posted December 6, 2008 Share Posted December 6, 2008 Spell to Write and Read has worked the best for us. That is what we are using as well. Heather Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Alfred Academy Posted December 6, 2008 Share Posted December 6, 2008 Switched from spelling workout to all about spelling last year. It was a great decision for us. We love AAS! Oh, and I supplement with spellingcity.com. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inashoe Posted December 6, 2008 Share Posted December 6, 2008 we use Phonetic Zoo from IEW. my eldest has a hard time with spelling. this is the first program I have tried that is making a difference. I have ditched many other programs. my next two kiddos are natural spellers and would have done fine with any program. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jane Posted December 6, 2008 Share Posted December 6, 2008 :) Another happy Calvert Spelling CD user. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovetobehome Posted December 6, 2008 Share Posted December 6, 2008 We have been loving AVKO Sequential Spelling! It is simple and it works! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cillakat Posted December 6, 2008 Share Posted December 6, 2008 I honestly believe spelling is best learned incidentally rather than in formal teaching. Not always. For natural spellers maybe. Not for struggling spellers. They need seqeuntial systematic incremental and often multisensory spelling that includes the rules......fe, AAS or another O-G program :) k Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen the RD Posted December 6, 2008 Share Posted December 6, 2008 I love, love, love this book! For me, this has been terrific. It remediated my dd's spelling bringing it up 2 grade levels. For my 6 yo ds, I've used it to teach him to read, write, and spell. His reading and spelling is leaps above where my dd's was at the same age. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovedtodeath Posted December 6, 2008 Share Posted December 6, 2008 How to teach spelling with the How to spell workbooks. The price works well for me too! Half.com and paperbackswap, less than $25 for half the 1-12 program. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aloha2U Posted December 6, 2008 Share Posted December 6, 2008 I voted for other... I already see benefits from using SWR w/my ds4. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mapi Posted December 6, 2008 Share Posted December 6, 2008 For natural spellers maybe. Not for struggling spellers. They need seqeuntial systematic incremental and often multisensory spelling that includes the rules......fe, AAS or another O-G program :) k I absolutely agree with you. Sorry if my statement was not as clear as it should have been. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FriedClams Posted December 6, 2008 Share Posted December 6, 2008 Rod and Staff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisa in the UP of MI Posted December 6, 2008 Share Posted December 6, 2008 I just started AAS with dd (4yo) a few weeks ago and we love it. She's one of those kids who would rather spell than read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa in Australia Posted December 6, 2008 Share Posted December 6, 2008 we use spelling work out. we have tried lots of spelling programs. we are hopeless spellers, and no program works for us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daisy Posted December 6, 2008 Share Posted December 6, 2008 We use Rod and Staff also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhudson Posted December 6, 2008 Share Posted December 6, 2008 Rod and Staff and Abeka have worked for us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deb in NZ Posted December 6, 2008 Share Posted December 6, 2008 Spelling Power Spectrum Spelling Schonell Spelling (a NZ program) & Sequential Spelling Of all of the above, only Sequential Spelling has shown significant inprovement in my dc's spelling. I use Sequential Spelling for Adults with my 16yod & Sequential Spelling with my 2ds. Ds#2 does enjoy dictations as well, but I still use SS as well. It only takes 5-10 minutes each daily & is non-consumable. SS gives both British & American spellings for words that differ, a big plus for my dc living here in NZ. JMHO, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tree House Academy Posted December 6, 2008 Share Posted December 6, 2008 Spelling Power and the Calvert Mastery Series Spelling CD have worked great for us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenn Robinson Posted December 6, 2008 Share Posted December 6, 2008 We do spelling from dictation (McGuffey Readers) and use ABCs and all Their Tricks to learn rules for missed words. When/If we start more "formal" spelling with tests and lists we'll probably use Rod & Staff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matryoshka Posted December 7, 2008 Share Posted December 7, 2008 The main program I use is Sequential Spelling, which is wonderful. We use it starting in 2nd grade. Tweaks: for my natural speller, SS just got too easy - I would've just dropped spelling for her, but she wanted something because it makes her feel good about herself to have schoolwork she knows she's good at. She's using Spelling Wisdom now. For her twin sister who used to be a spelling disaster, SS is perfect. She improved a ton with SS in a short time, and we're still happily using it without needing any more or less. For my youngest, SS has been very good but I was still seeing many errors in her writing outside of spelling lessons (though she could frequently spell the word for me if I pointed out it was wrong). For her I've added copywork and dictation with WWE to help spelling in context, and continue with SS to teach patterns/rules. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arch at Home Posted December 7, 2008 Share Posted December 7, 2008 Calvert Spelling CD is working for my dd who has great difficulty spelling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TracyR Posted December 7, 2008 Share Posted December 7, 2008 We use Everyday Spelling ( Calvert's spelling) but not the CD. My girls have never seemed to like their CD's. I use that along with Spell City.com and games. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laughing lioness Posted December 7, 2008 Share Posted December 7, 2008 Sequential Spelling was what finally got my very bright but spelling disabled ds 14 to finally gain mastery in spelling. Two thumbs way up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PollyOR Posted December 7, 2008 Share Posted December 7, 2008 voracious reader/poor speller - Phonetic Zoo struggling reader/natural speller - Rod & Staff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JenniferB Posted December 7, 2008 Share Posted December 7, 2008 Spell to Write and Read (SWR) and I'm about to add Noah Webster's American Spelling Book of 1824 (teaches spelling by syllable). Print it for free from here: http://www.donpotter.net/Spelling%20Books.htm. So, I'm using a phonics program and now a syllable program, and I'm hoping to improve my struggling daughter's spelling! :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
................... Posted December 7, 2008 Share Posted December 7, 2008 We are using Love to Learn's Journal and Spelling program and it's actually working. My son is getting all his words, and has retention. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamaof2andtwins Posted December 7, 2008 Share Posted December 7, 2008 I have used so many programs for spelling. I have two struggling spellers and two more natural spellers. What didn't work for the struggling spellers: Sequential Spelling (no ability to transfer learning into real writing), R&S spelling (had to drop back several grade levels to find lists he could spell), and BJU spelling (same issue with the lists). What did work for the struggling spellers: Spelling Power (somewhat, but not enough for me to continue with it), copywork and dictation (spelling score on standardized test jumped from "low" to "average") and AAS (my oldest did not use this but my young struggler is using this and it is working well). My more natural speller (the younger one) does fine with AAS, so my opinion is that it is good for all spelling types. My older natural speller isn't using anything right now, but she would be fine with any program. Jennie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paisley Hedgehog Posted December 7, 2008 Share Posted December 7, 2008 nm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle T Posted December 7, 2008 Share Posted December 7, 2008 nt Michelle T Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovemywhirlygirls Posted December 8, 2008 Share Posted December 8, 2008 Rod & Staff 5th grade and 3rd grade is working very well for us! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennefer@SSA Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 Spelling Wisdom has been a hit here. Ds7 is very visual and has a strong background and understanding of phonics. I wanted something that would work to those strengths. SW has been perfect for us and the bonus is that is gives us great things to talk about as we work through the quotes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catherine Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 I can't say enough good things about AAS. My 7 you couldn't spell "you" after endless practicing last year-now, he *understands* and spells from that understanding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caryn Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 I am using Barton reading and Spelling. It is a good fit for us. Caryn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 Spelling by Sound and Structure (Rod and Staff) sdecond. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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