Spelling and/or Phonics Reiteration

[happynurse]

Hi, everyone. My third grade son went to school for K and 1st. He was always considered advanced by his teachers, but since bringing him home I've noticed his spelling abilities are below average. Right now he is using Abeka Spelling 3, and he is fantastic at memorizing lists and acing spelling tests. However, when needing to spell on his own accord, he asks me how to spell the most basic of words (today was 'sort of'). We use Explode the Code in addition to Abeka's language arts,  but is there something else that may help reinforce phonics and improve spelling? Would this be a situation where Spelling You See may help? My oldest used Logic of English and is a great, perhaps natural speller. This is new territory for me. Thanks!

[Clarita]

To me it would be a lot to do Explode the Code, Abeka and something else.

So for me I actually beef up Explode the Code on my own. Even though it isn't meant to be a spelling list every week, I've noticed for every lesson in Explode the Code they have the rule but the activities repeat a lot of the same words. If left on his own in Explode the Code he can easily just memorize the few words in the lesson or flip back and forth in the pages to fill out the worksheets without actually internalizing the rule. So I add in a few extra spelling words using the rules that aren't in the lesson to have him spell. If he can't spell those I add in a supplemental activity relating to the rule.

For a reference book where I can look up the rules and have some demonstrating words I use ABCs and All Their Tricks.

[Foofaraw]

I’m biased towards Apples and Pears spelling by sound foundations for my kid being able to write sentences in the wild vs. in isolation on a spelling test. My 8 year old does two student book pages a day, which takes ~15 minutes. I think the workbook + teacher guide is a little expensive, but also very worth it.

[Nm.]

I’m really liking Spalding- writing road to reading 4th edition or earlier.  There’s a few on open library if you want to see it in depth.  Simply memorizing the phonograms by flashing the phonograms (oral phonogram review) and then having them write the phonograms as I say the sounds has helped my 2 with spelling and reading very quickly.  We are not even finished memorizing all 70 yet.  

[Ellie]

If he's reading well, he doesn't need any phonics, because phonics knowledge does not afftect spelling skill.

I am also a Spalding fan. As the previous poster said, you want the fourth edition of the manual (WRTR is the manual; Spalding is the method), or earlier. You can find the fourth edition on Amazon. With the manual and a set of phonogram cards, you're good go to, for all your children, forever.