Spelling: Do you think it's the program or the exposure...

[Sue G in PA]

that really makes it or breaks it for a child? As I'm contemplating our plans for next year, spelling has me thinking. I lean more toward the exposure and use end of this spectrum. We can memorize lists until the cows come home, but unless those same words are put into practice...they won't "stick". I've witnessed this w/ my own children time and time again. I hear such good things about SWR and am so tempted to purchase yet another "program" hoping for that quick rememdy to my spelling woes. I wonder if I should just stick w/ my current program and incorporate more writing for the exposure. What are your thoughts in general on this issue? Oh, I'm leaning heavily towards LLATL and while spelling isn't heavy in this...the dictation and copywork might make the difference. If only SWR wasn't so expensive! Just my 1am, can't sleep for nothing ramblings! :D

[Stacia]

Have you looked at Spelling Power? I think it's considered a good fit for kids who need to 'visualize' the words in order to remember them.

I tend to think that exposure is a good part of it, but maybe that's because I was a fairly natural speller. I do think that copywork, dictation & so on are good ways to practice spelling. I've never implemented a spelling program (for long, anyway) & just help dc spell words as needed. After they write it correctly awhile, I think they just know it.

Don't know if my ramblings make sense, lol. (I can spell -- just can't be coherent, lol!) It's late here & I'm just poking around on the computer.

[Closeacademy]

Not trying to push programs here but sometimes you can come across a copy of Teaching Reading at Home and School which is the predecessor to SWR and all you would need to buy is the WISE guide. Or you can also pick up old copies once and a while very cheaply of The Writing Road to Reading by Spalding.

I can't offer a solution but basically, I think learning the logic of the language and how it works and then doing words studies with them really helps. Roots programs can help, Latin study can help, writing a lot can help, memorizing the words helps some kids, visual cues can help. There are a variety of things that you can do and really it depends upon your dc learning style and what you are willing to do.

For us, we are using WISE guide lists (SWR). I've gone through the book, typed up charts for each phonogram so that we can dissect the spelling words and put them where they fit, charts for rules that are not tied to specific phonograms, and I typed up all the enrichment ideas that are listed in the sidelines of the WISE guide.

So basically, we will do a word study with our spelling words and really try to take ownership. My plan is to do 1 list per week for grades 3, 5, and 6. 1 list over 2 weeks for grade 4. And if needed go back and review the whole A-Z of lists for grades 7 and 8.

Good luck. I hope you find something that fits your needs or are able to adapt something you already own to fit your needs. That's what I do--adapt.:001_smile:

[Jackie in NE]

And of course, it depends on the child. I have tried several programs..... Spelling power just didn't work for us..... and we really tried to make it work. We also tried the Phonetic Zoo..... didn't work.

And when I say these things didn't work, I mean that I just didn't see any improvement or "carry-over" from the spelling program into other areas of school.

Then I came across some old Spelling Workout books at a library sale... and that's what we've stuck with. I like it because it is simple, has some good vocabulary type exercises which help my dc remember the words, and some other exercises like alphabetizing and such.

But I've found that constantly reviewing spelling rules as we come across them in all areas of writing..... and adding problem words to the program lists is the best route for us. My dc can memorize lists perfectly! But I think the actual implementation across subject lines is the thing that causes retention.

HTH, Jackie

[LizzyBee]

I have one child who is adept at choosing the correct letter or phonogram even when a word is unfamiliar to her. For her, exposure is more important than memorizing lists or rules.

I have another child for whom the program made all the difference. I thought she'd never learn to spell, and because she's a perfectionist, her inability to spell hindered her progress in writing. But when we found the program that fits her learning style, she not only learned how to spell, but actually enjoys spelling as a school subject.

[one l michele]

I think it's language arts as a whole that makes it all connect together. It is much easier to spell an isolated word during spelling, then to spell the same word correctly while writing a sentence or to be able to recognize it isn't spelled right while editing - IMO. As for the expense of SWR, yes there is ~$100 initial investment, however, it is non consumable so I will use it with all three of my children and it takes them from learning to read through a 12th grade spelling level. SWR is quite efficient, we haven't used a phonics program and spelling takes just minutes a day. I also love the diagnostic tests so I can track progress.

[4pillars]

I really do not have much of an answer for you, but have always wondered this same thing myself.

Then I started thinking... How did "I" learn to spell??? I was put on that 12 year public school plan with spelling lists, and I seem to be able to spell ok. I don't think I am the BEST speller, but not too bad. So, I DO think exposure is good. I also think seeing words by reading is good too. I think it is a combination of all these things.

We are using Spelling Work Out at the moment, and I think it is fine. I am also going to start going through a "most commonly misspelled word list" too. And, I add a few misspelled words from their writing to their lists.

I don't know if it is working or not, but I do see a year to year improvement. Baby steps, I suppose:)

Blessings,
Jen

[ELaurie]

In this program, spelling rules are explicit, and teh exercises provide opportunities to apply them. In my experience with teh program so far, it goes beyond asking the child to memorize lists of words and spelling patterns, and gives them teh tools to decode words and to choose the correct various phonograms when spelling them.

This is working well for ds 8, who doesn't have a strong visual memory; ds 5 is a more natural speller, and would probably figure out how to spell on his own, given adequate exposure.

[training5]

I second ELaurie. I am using it with my sons and it works! It is way less expensive than SWR, easier to use, and did I mention it works? www.allaboutspelling.com

[OhElizabeth]

You don't have to buy a program to do dictation. Just open up whatever you're reading aloud to them these days or an interesting history or science or fiction book your oldest is reading and use it for dictation for everyone. A dictation selection in a curriculum probably isn't going to have as much text as it takes to really work on spelling. For instance the SL LA includes just one passage (2-3 sentences) for the entire week! That would be way too short for my purposes at least. Much easier to just open a book.

So if getting the dictation prechosen was the main lure of LLATL, I wouldn't jump just for that. Personally, I'd stick with whatever you were already doing for grammar and whatnot. You don't want to radically change your life when a baby is coming. Don't mess up what's already working to fix something that isn't. You only change the thing that ISN'T working, make sense?

[Sue G in PA]

just tweak here and there and fix what isn't working, as OhElizabeth said. Spelling certainly isn't working well for ds9. Must change or tweak. I've not gotten around to dictation b/c I haven't planned ahead. I have a hard time just picking a book and finding a good passage to use, KWIM? Copywork is typically from scripture or character based copywork. My thinking about LLATL is that it is ALL there in ONE book...a bit of spelling, grammar, lit., dictation, copywork, etc. It is independently done by the dc (the olders anyway) except for the dictation part, obviously. My ramblings sound like I'm trying to overcomplicate my already complicated life, but really I'm trying to simplify! SWO was a great independent program, but seemed more like busywork as many of my dc just weren't retaining the info. and translating it over to their writing. I could stick w/ SWO and see if the added spelling in LLATL works. So much to think about. Perhaps I'll just do that. Thanks for all the advice and suggestions...AAS does seem like a good program, esp. for my ds6 who does not like to write. Perhaps I'll just order it for him and see how it goes.

[MIch elle]

which comes with time and age is the only thing that works to improve spelling in our experience. No spelling program works for us although we still use/try them. Drilling, studying, and reviewing the "Fry top 1000 list" along with studying misspelled words from writing/composition works the best for us.

[LindaOz]

Hi Sue,

I have a 9yo for whom spelling is a challenge, too. She has always used a spelling program, but it was only this year since I added regular dictation that her spelling has improved. I'm now seeing her spelling getting more accurate in her own writing, which is the goal. We are using Spelling Wisdom from Simply Charlotte Mason, but it would be just as easy, as Elizabeth said, to open a book and take it from there. We are still using a spelling program as well, but I think I'll be eventually moving to just dictation as it seems to be more effective here.

HTH
Linda

[paula j]

I'm going to say exposure because if they are exposed to good writing, (and spelling) over and over they will start learning the patterns. I do, however, think that some programs are better than others. Mainly I think is important to use a program that explains the spelling rules well. I guess the why it should be done this way, otherwise, all the fill in the blanks and crossword puzzles in the world aren't going to help, kwim?

[Josie]

Ideally you would find a program that works well for your child and expose the child to all sorts of words. I think reading is one of the best ways for exposure. Writing is another good way to reinforce spelling.

I love All About Spelling, btw. It is so systematic. It is SOOOOO easy to teach. It really teaches the rules and how to apply them.