Simply Spelling--- please tell me more about this program! (m)

[Virginia Heather]

I've noticed that several of you are using this, or plan to in the future, and I'm hoping you will share a bit about it, if you don't mind... what you like about it, why you chose it... that sort sort of stuff. We have yet to stumble upon a program that we all approve of, so I'm always on the lookout for something new-- maybe this is it!

Thanks :o)

[Faithr]

I think it's really called Spelling Wisdom. I just downloaded the high school book basically to use as copy work for my high schoolers. (I've got penmanship/copy work for the youngers). Basically, you just use studied dictation instead of a traditional spelling program.

[Faithr]

Or wait, maybe you really are referring to a different program?

[Trivium Academy]

No, it is called Simply Spelling and it's at www.shoelacebooks.com. Let me see if I can find the previous posts on it that have samples that I typed up. But for the most part it is spelling instruction that is based on copywork and dictation.

There's a selection that your child copies for 4 days with a focus of instruction each day and on the fifth day the selection is used as dictation. You can see samples at http://www.shoelacebooks.com, look inside the Simply Spelling 3-12 book.

Let me see if I can find the other posts for you.

[Trivium Academy]

http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10530
http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8876

[Virginia Heather]

Thanks so much, Jessica, for the links-- this really does look promising! Am I right in assuming that the 3-12 book is everything you'd need to make it through highschool, as opposed to buying each level separately, one grade at a time? Also, does the student do all the work on notebook paper? And lastly, what are the CM studied dictation methods... please tell me more!

[Trivium Academy]

Thanks so much, Jessica, for the links-- this really does look promising! Am I right in assuming that the 3-12 book is everything you'd need to make it through highschool, as opposed to buying each level separately, one grade at a time?

Yes! I have the 3-12 book and high school demanding but Simply Spelling builds up to that point. I'm very impressed with this. I think the creator started to do each level books since there is year 3 and 4 separately and just finished it out with the 3-12 book or she made those available for people to try it w/o having to buy the 3-12 book.


Also, does the student do all the work on notebook paper?

Yes, I think the individual books for levels 3 and 4 are in workbook form though but I don't think it's worth the extra money to buy those levels and the 3-12 book.

And lastly, what are the CM studied dictation methods... please tell me more!

http://higherupandfurtherin.blogspot.com/2006/09/teaching-spelling-through-studied.html
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/bwktbarr/63093/
http://www.soundword.com/spvsstdi1.html (I haven't listened to this)
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/HeartSchooling/44845/

[Virginia Heather]

Wow! This is good stuff, Jessica-- thanks *so* much for sharing :o)

[Georgia]

I recently bought SWR and while it looks thorough, I am baulking at doing the planning myself. I like that SS is all planned out. My question is, how does Simply Spelling address rules (like adding suffixes) and/or phonograms? I saw a sample that asked the child to identify a particular rule that applied, but didn't see any sample lessons that taught rules outright.

Also, it looks like the work is independent until the day of dictation. Is this correct?

Is there any teacher manual to buy? Is it written for the student?

And finally, I have a 5th grader, for whom spelling is so-so, and a third grader who spells not quite as well as his sister, and cannot write nearly as efficiently. What would you suggest as to levels and planning? I'm willing to do a little extra with my 5th grader. It seems that is would be easy to have them on their own levels in SS (SWR seemed prohibitively time-consuming to tailor levels), which I prefer, except of course for the dictation day - does this sound like I'm on the right track?

Thanks for all the great info! :)

[Trivium Academy]

You know, I don't know who the book is written to, I guess it can be 1-on-1 or independent, of course with the exception of the dictation. I'm a 1-on-1 type so I didn't even THINK about it being independently done, of course the copywork is done independently.

Look at the two links to other threads about it, there are sample lessons there which show the spelling rules and I think I did one on suffixes or prefixes. I personally can't answer more than what I already have, you can email Laurie Hicks through the shoelacebooks website though.

I'm not the only one who is using this, Angelina (cajun.classical) was the one who told me about it and there are a few others.

You're both welcome

[Trivium Academy]

You're welcome Heather

[Mamagistra]

Here is Spelling Wisdom (http://simplycharlottemason.com/books/spellingwisdom/spwisdomsample/) that Faithr referred to above. It is similar, I think, but I have neither program...yet! :001_smile: