Spelling issues...

[4pillars]

I could use some advice on teaching spelling. Is it necessary to use a curriculum? If I don't, then it does fall by the wayside. I do correct their spelling in compositions, but I don't make them write the misspelled words 5x each, or even test them on it later. I just have tooooo much going on to do that. We started off the year with Rod and Staff, which the kids hated, and then dropped it because of the tears. Then I bought Spelling Wisdom, but am starting to feel like we are not really learning any "skills". KWIM??

So, I guess my question is, should I just grind out a spelling program? If so, what do you recommend? I have used Rod and Staff Spelling and I like it, but my children do not. It is VERY detailed.

I have thought about going with Spelling Power or Spelling Workout... or have even thought about finishing out Rod and Staff.

[Claire]

Actually, studies have shown that writing out spelling words 5x each doesn't help most children.

Spelling Power works pretty well for average to above-average spellers.

Sequential Spelling usually works well for below-average spellers. This is what we used working one-on-one, and we could complete a lesson in book #1 in less than 5 minutes; less than 10 minutes for book #2. My dd had difficulty with spelling, but she came to like this program because we could finish so quickly. I started seeing improvements in her daily work after about lesson #60.

[LindaOz]

Hi Jennifer,

I am using Spelling Wisdom and really like it (so do my dc), but something else I used to do which worked well was to circle incorrect spelling in a written composition and give it to my dc to self-correct. They would have to look up in the dictionary if they didn't know the word, or sometimes they would just look at the incorrect word and suddenly realize what they had done wrong. I think it probably eliminated some laziness with spelling and made them more careful.

Just an idea.

[4pillars]

Thanks for the suggestions so far.

I also wanted to mention that my son has confessed to not using certain words because he did not know how to spell them:( So, he just thought of an easier word. He did say he really wants to know how to spell too:rolleyes: I just need to figure out what is going to work!!

[ArwenA]

We really like SWO. It has good activities and DD who has always been fairly good at spelling is now more confident and doesn't feel like she "can't" write a word if she doesn't know how to spell it.

[cajun.classical]

My son's (11) spelling has greatly improved since we have begun implementing studied dictation a la Charlotte Mason. Lindafay at Higher up and further in blog has a great explanation of how this works. It doesn't take much time and has been incredibly effective for us.

[Darcy from LWM3B]

Does anyone have a link to LindaFay's blog about dictation?

[4pillars]

Here it is.... GREAT BLOG

http://higherupandfurtherin.blogspot.com/

[cajun.classical]

http://higherupandfurtherin.blogspot.com/2006/09/teaching-spelling-through-studied.html You can also search her site for more posts on dictation.

[pianoplayer]

I never used a spelling curriculum with my older child, as he seemed to learn to spell everything the day he learned to read. My younger child (5th grade) has been a different story!

I have been very pleased with Spelling Workout, and we have seen huge improvements both in her spelling and her confidence with writing. Each Spelling Workout lesson focuses on a fundamental phonics or spelling rule, and a review lesson follows each set of five lessons to give a thorough review of the words which have been learned.