SWR vs. All About Spelling

[Vrouwtje]

I saw an interesting thread about AAS (is it it difficult to teach), but as I did not want to hijack the thread I will ask this question seperately.

I have been wondering about AAS, although I have used SWR with my 81/2 yo for about 2 years now. For those who have used both, do you feel that AAS is as in depth as SWR? Although my son is not wild about spelling with SWR he is learning a lot and does well. So I hesitate to switch because I feel I figured SWR out by now and why stop something that IS working.

However, I have a very tactile 5 1/2 year old and I wonder if I should not start him on AAS instead of SWR next year... Is there anything in SWR that you prefer over AAS? Has anybody switched back to SWR after trying AAS? After finishing up AAS, are as many words/concepts learned than in SWR?


Thanks!!

[OhElizabeth]

You sound like you want to try AAS, so I say do it. Nothing says you have to keep going through all the levels. Even if you just do the first level, you'll learn new tricks and new ways of teaching that you can carry over to your regular SWR time. I haven't used AAS, only SWR, but in your shoes, I would buy it. :)

[Lovedtodeath]

All About Spelling vs. Spell to Write & Read (http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=86307)

[Vrouwtje]

Thank you LovedToDeath, I found a lot of good stuff in the link. My youngest does not have his handwriting down, so I think we could at least start him on AAS and use the tiles.

And it is true, I probably would like to try AAS with my youngest. I just wish I could do it borrowing the program. Still, it is not way expensive I believe, so maybe I should just take the plunge!

I am still curious to know where you would be at the end of AAS and SWR. Do you end up at the same level? Does AAS go slower or about the same in the end?

Thx again!

[Lovedtodeath]

I am pretty sure that AAS is slower, (That's what kept me from buying it.),but that in the end you will end up at the same level.

[Sarah CB]

I wrote a little bit about AAS and SWR on my blog. My situation is different because I wasn't already successfully using SWR.

Here's my review of AAS:

http://fanningflame.wordpress.com/2008/06/05/product-review-all-about-spelling/

And here's where I talk about finally giving up on SWR:

http://fanningflame.wordpress.com/2008/05/28/i-have-given-up-on-swr/

Sarah

[MerryAtHope]

I am still curious to know where you would be at the end of AAS

At the end of Level 6, students spell on a highschool level.

Also, I don't know if you knew, but AAS has a 1-year, 100% satisfaction guarantee.

I can't compare it to SWR as I haven't used that. However, if AAS moves slowly for a student, there are lots of ways to speed it up, you don't have to do everything as written. I've heard of older students doing levels 1-4 in a year. So if you decide to try it & are feeling like it's slow, let us know & we can help.

Merry :-)

[siloam]

The only thing I think SWR has over AAS is the quotations from scripture and famous people. AAS only provides sentences for homphones, though it does have dictation passages you could use for spelling sentences.

That wasn't enough to keep me using SWR. I bought the first level of AAS in December and by February I had bought the rest of the program. To give my oldest two a taste of AAS I had them do one day of it, then go back to SWR for the rest of the week. The next week they both decided they preferred AAS. Now admittedly the 9yo probably likes it because it is easier, LOL! (That is not true of my oldest.)

My oldest especially likes the idea of having cards for each of the words, because that way she can keep track of and master words. We both noticed when we went back this year and reviewed last year in SWR that she was mis-spelling the same words again. I couldn't come up with a way to set them aside for long term work, other than to review them again next year. AAS has that ability built into it using the cards. At least in a way that is easy for me.

Heather

[Kisa in CA]

For those who have used both, do you feel that AAS is as in depth as SWR?
No - I don't think AAS is as in depth. But then again, spelling doesn't take 45 minutes either!

Is there anything in SWR that you prefer over AAS?
Yes! The tiles are fabulous. The kids are able to retain the information better using the tiles. Even my 10 year old uses the tiles and I truly believe it is better than just flash cards. I also like the color coding as opposed to the technical coding in SWR. The card box is a wonderful way of keeping track of phonograms, spelling words, dictation. When my older son misspells a word in his other subjects I write the word on a 3x5 card and add it to his box. Voila! An easy way to make sure that word is learned. I also like that you can spend 1 day on a lesson, or a week. You can modify your schedule easily to fit your childs needs. SWR was always a scheduling problem for me.

Has anybody switched back to SWR after trying AAS? I will be going back to SWR with my 5th grader because he is finishing the last level of AAS and needs to get back to the more challenging words of SWR. AAS has cemented the things he learned with SWR, but we will go back to SWR to advance on to higher levels.

After finishing up AAS, are as many words/concepts learned than in SWR? No. Level 4 in AAS is not that advanced. SWR certainly goes higher. But I don't know how high level 5 of AAS will go.

Both programs are great. AAS is organized much better IMHO, but the Wise Guide is also a fantastic tool. The word lists and sample sentences are far better than those in AAS. For me, the tiles and box alone make AAS a great purchase. Having had a SWR class and having taught it for a number of years makes it easy for me to incorporate the two. It sounds to me like that is what you will enjoy doing too.

HTH!