Newbie here wants advice for 2nd grade

[2_girls_mommy]

Hi, I have been reading here forever, but have never posted. I am trying to plan my dd6's (will be 7 then) 2nd grade year for the fall. She is currently finishing up R&S 1st grade phonics and reading. I had planned on moving up into the 2nd grade English, Phonics, and Spelling. But upon review, she is way beyond the spelling, and I can't move her up into 3rd grade because it is in cursive. I am now leaning towards Spelling Power.

 

My question is will Spelling Power be enough to get rid of the Phonics? I don't want overkill, but don't want to miss anything either. She is an exceptional reader, and has written and spelled well for over a year. Curious if anyone has any thoughts about this. TIA! Carle

 

Here would be our year:

Reading will be good books and Sotw suggestions

R&S English 2

R&S Math 3

R&S music 2

R&S penmanship to start cursive

SOTW 2

Science, Astronomy/Earth Science

[Kristen in NC]

I used SP with my oldest son in the 2nd grade. He was an excellent reader and speller so he was ready for it. He didn't have any phonics instruction after 1st grade either.

 

Some cautions about SP:

It isn't organized phonetically at all. There are groups, but within the groups they have words that are spelled many different ways to make the sound.

 

It can be upsetting to perfectionist children. If you use the plan as it is written you will be testing your child on words that she hasn't studied. This can cause many children to panic.

 

In summary, you could switch to SP for this year, but be sure it's what you are looking for in a spelling program.

[3lilreds in NC]

Maybe take a look at All About Spelling. They just came out with a reader to go along with their Level 1. She might be beyond the spelling words, but it's worth starting with Level 1 to get all the phonograms down. We whizzed through Level 1 and are zipping through Level 2 this year. My girls are in 2nd & 3rd grade - you could probably get through Levels 1 & 2 next year. I LOVE this spelling program. LOVE IT!

[2_girls_mommy]

Thank you. I had assumed the groups were following a certain rule. But since it is geared toward starting in 3rd, and she would definitely be ready for any other 3rd grade program I have looked at, it still may not be an issue. It is definitely something to consider. She does well with the R&S 1st grade phonics spelling suggestions. I read words from the reading list in her workbook. Then she writes any misspellings 3 times and then I use those words and new ones the next day. Since this is similar to SP's method, I thought it might be a good fit.

 

ETA.. and AAS was my next choice also. I don't have a copy of WTM here. I have preordered the new one, and the library's copy is checked out. Isn't AAS the one that is suggested in place of phonics? Am I way off base? It has been a while since I looked at 2nd grade.

[2_girls_mommy]

Ok, I am still thinking about this. The issue is that I need to place my order for R&S before the textbook sale is up in 2 wks, and our convention is not until May for me to get my hands on any other spelling programs to really look through.

 

So here are the thoughts I have had since this morning:

 

I could go ahead and start Spelling Power, but continue w/ R&S phonics 2 so we don't miss any rules that I may not be aware of.

 

Or I could go ahead w/R&S phonics 2 and pick up some other spelling (but which?) for the year and start Spelling Power next year. Maybe spectrum or something like that just for this year, or just don't buy spelling and continue giving words from her phonics each day.

 

Or I could find a Spelling program that would incorporate phonics and drop the R&S phonics.

 

Any other suggestions?

[Kristen in NC]

If you're by chance going to NCHE, Rod and Staff will be there so you could wait and make your decision then:001_smile:

[2_girls_mommy]

Not that one, but ours does have R&S too. I just wanted the sale, because even w/shipping I save a little over full price.

 

That is a good idea though. I can order everything else now except the phonics. Then go and look at the spelling and decide there. I just want to be done already:001_smile: Thanks for "listening!"