Considering dropping spelling and using Vocab from Classical Roots instead--thoughts?

[Nancy in NH]

Ds (10) has been using Megawords the past two years, currently in book 3, and previously he worked through the Spellwell series. I consider him an average speller, though he's improved a great deal this year. Am I crazy to consider dropping Megawords?

I'm thinking about adding Vocabulary from Classical Roots and just having him keep a notebook for problem spelling words that occur in his writing. What level would you suggest? Would I just begin him at grade level?

Another thought just hit me--is it overkill to add this when he is studying Latin and already getting exposure to Latin roots and their derivatives?

Thanks!
Nancy

[Beth in Central TX]

My plan is to do a formal spelling program through 8th grade and then switch to a vocabulary program in high school. However, the R&S spelling program we use starts to introduce root words and more vocabulary work int he 7th and 8th grade books.

To better educate myself, I'm currently working through Jensen's Vocabulary. It is a Latin and Greek roots based program. I like the work that I'm doing, but I've decided not to add a vocabulary program too early. While learning the roots is doable at a young age, the vocabulary words themselves are just too advanced. I would like to see the vocabulary work we do influence their writing. The words that I'm learning are just not what a 5th/6th grader would naturally use, even if they know the meaning. For our homeschool, I would like to see a vocabulary program impact their language and writing, therefore, I plan to wait on transitioning from spelling to vocabulary in the junior high and high school years. FWIW...

[Sue G in PA]

I thought she had said in TWTM that after a student had worked through the SWO series (or a similar program) that they could move to Vocab From Classical Roots (or a similar program!). Typically that was in 7th grade. My dd11 will finish out SWO next year (perhaps over the summer) and then do VFCR A next year. I *might* continue her with Simply Spelling for the dictation exercises as I am contemplating a switch to that w/ my ds's. HTH

[Testimony]

I really could get into it. Once the children learned how to do plurals, adding, prefixes and suffixes, I went straight to vocabulary. So far, they are both good spellers.

Blessings,
Karen
www.homeschoolblogger.com/testimony

[Kelli in TN]

My children are pretty good spellers, so take this with a grain of salt, but we did not do a formal spelling program at all. Now that Vocab from Classical Roots has lower levels of their program, we start that in 4th grade.

I have one more kiddo left below that level,he might need a formal spelling program. So I reserve the right to change my mind!