Need spelling and vocabulary help for dd

[Stirsmommy]

We are not using a formal spelling with my dd who is 12. That needs to change. She can spell for a test but her spelling in writing assignments makes my skin crawl. She needs a formal program for reinforcing I think. Actually I think she just needs something period. What do you all suggest? How do I decide what level and stuff she needs? Could we use wordly wise and make it spelling too?
TIA
Melissa

[chai]

I am waiting for answers because my 9 year old has the same problem! I've been considering Calvert spelling CDs, but I don't know how to choose the level either.

[HollyDay]

My 11 yr old is doing very well with MegaWords. Before starting the program, she could memorize the words for Friday test then promptly not be able to use them on Monday. We had been using SWR for 2 years and she was improving, but oh so very slow. MegaWords has really made a difference for her. You can view samples at cbd.com. No matter what level she is - start with book 1, do the placement test and work from there. The TM is essential to make the program work. HTH

[Lori D.]

Our struggling speller has improved tremendously by using Megawords as supplement to the individualized spelling I have for him. Other things that really have helped:

Practice words down on a whiteboard (2x a week)
- break words down by syllable
- show roots and changes/non-changes by adding endings or prefixes
- show vowel patterns in one color marker, rest of the word in another
- draw little pictures to tell the difference between homophones
(ex.: "meat" and "meet" -- it takes 2 people to "meet" and there are 2 "e"s in meet; draw the "a" in "meat" to look like a heart and say "I LOVE to eat meat -- also, see the word "eat" is IN the word "meat")

Practice the words orally (4-5x a week)
- Hearing the letters out loud in order, and then repeating them back to you helps cement the proper sequence for spelling in the child's mind. We use a beanie toy to encourage focus: I say the word, then say it as syllables, then spell it, then toss the beanie to child. He says the word, then spells it and if correct tosses the beanie back to me. IMMEDIATELY correct any misspelling by correctly spelling to the child 3 times, and have them read it off letter by letter from the white board to cement CORRECT spelling.


BEST of luck! It took until about age 12 until my struggling speller's brain matured enough for spelling to even start to click! Now at 14, while he's still behind, he is doing MUCH better -- much of that thanks to Megawords, which has showed him both vowel patterns and syllablication rules so he has a better idea of how to attack spelling. Warmest regards, Lori D.

PS -- and Megawords has GREAT word lists, so it really helps with vocabulary as well!

[Sue G in PA]

She does very well on her tests and can even remember the words to spell them the next week. When she writes, her spelling is atrocious! She misspells words that a second grader could spell correctly! My take on this: Her brain is working so hard to put her thoughts down on paper that there isn't much brain power left for spelling. I'm hoping this will come in time. When writing gets easier, I'm guessing the spelling will improve in her writing. As for a program to help...I'm at a loss. Dd11 does SWO but I just wonder if ANY program will really cure the atrocious spelling in her writing. I wonder what SWB would say about that?

[Ottakee]

http://www.soundfoundationsbooks.co.uk/ Apples and Pears is working very well here. It really carries over to my dd's daily work. VERY easy to use for a parent as well. Not overly cheap but very effective. You can see the entire program online as well.

[AngieW in Texas]

I also recommend Megawords.