Have you used Spelling Wisdom? Dictation for spelling?

[Zee]

Just wondering how it worked for you. Did you see an improvement in spelling in your child's other writing assignments?

I'm looking at getting this. I do unstudied dictation now, and am thinking the studied dictation with emphasis on the 6.000 frequent words would be a better use of our time. I don't think I'm getting the full benefit from our dictation by doing it unstudied (and my selections are not picked for spelling, but more for grammar and style), since ds writes some of the words wrong (imprinting them in memory wrong) and then we have to erase and rewrite. I know that's a horrible sentence, but I'm sure someone must relate to what I'm trying to say. :o

[Mamagistra]

I'm considering it, as well. :) Our dictation is hit-and-miss so I'm hopeful that having something more structured to follow will help me actually incorporate it. It's either that or I'm just a curriculum junkie. ;)

[stephanie]

Just wondering how it worked for you. Did you see an improvement in spelling in your child's other writing assignments?

I'm looking at getting this. I do unstudied dictation now, and am thinking the studied dictation with emphasis on the 6.000 frequent words would be a better use of our time. I don't think I'm getting the full benefit from our dictation by doing it unstudied (and my selections are not picked for spelling, but more for grammar and style), since ds writes some of the words wrong (imprinting them in memory wrong) and then we have to erase and rewrite. I know that's a horrible sentence, but I'm sure someone must relate to what I'm trying to say. :o

I use spelling wisdom for dictation, but SWO for spelling. I have noticed a difference in my dc's spelling and proper usage of punctuation b/c of spelling wisdom. I introduce the dictation on Monday and we practice all through the week on the difficult words then we "test" on Friday. I, too, use to just pick some sentences, but it sure saves a lot of time just to be able to go from week-to-week with the spelling wisdom. I hope this answers your question.

[cajun.classical]

I'm considering it, as well. :) Our dictation is hit-and-miss so I'm hopeful that having something more structured to follow will help me actually incorporate it. It's either that or I'm just a curriculum junkie. ;)

You might want to look at Simply Spelling as well. It's like Spelling Wisdom, but includes some word study as well: prefixes, suffixes, dictionary skills (general language arts stuff that I don't normally cover.) www.shoelacebooks.com

[Basketmaker Amy]

We've just started using this based on your recommendation. I like it because it includes work for grades 3-12. We're only on week 2 now...so far, so good!

[Jennefer@SSA]

You might want to look at Simply Spelling as well. It's like Spelling Wisdom, but includes some word study as well: prefixes, suffixes, dictionary skills (general language arts stuff that I don't normally cover.) www.shoelacebooks.com

Would it be overkill to use both Spelling Wisdom and Simply Spelling? I was thinking of using the SWO/SW combo but maybe this makes more sense?!

Thanks very much!

[cajun.classical]

Would it be overkill to use both Spelling Wisdom and Simply Spelling? I was thinking of using the SWO/SW combo but maybe this makes more sense?!

Thanks very much!

Very much overkill! You wouldn't need Spelling Wisdom if you used Simply Spelling.

[cajun.classical]

We've just started using this based on your recommendation. I like it because it includes work for grades 3-12. We're only on week 2 now...so far, so good!

Oh, so glad you like it. We really like it too.

[Sue G in PA]

I'm deciding btwn SW and SS as well. I looked at some samples of SS. Does it include passages for dictation or do you make up your own? I was going to use the SWO/SW combo as well, but it would mean searching for passages in SW that use words we are studying, KWIM? Tell me more about Simply Spelling, please. My curiosity is peaked. Do you use this as your complete spelling program?

[Zee]

Thanks, I'll check it out. :)

[Zee]

Yes, this is the kind of feedback I'm looking for. I'm not looking to replace our spelling program with it. I'm looking to replace our dictation with Spelling Wisdom, with an eye toward the spelling benefits and hopefully, punctuation benefits, too.

Thanks! :D

[Julie in GA]

You can also download my free dictation list that's organized by SWR list. Here's the link:

Dictation Selections from Literature (http://www.lulu.com/content/1250872)

[Zee]

Thank you for posting this suggestion. :) This is good to go with SWR, but not really the kind of dictation assignments I am looking for. I want something that grows in length and complexity of puntuation, as TWTM suggests. I also want content that is across the curriculum. It doesn't have to match my curriculum, but I'd like something that comes from the various disciplines. I think I'm still leaning toward Spelling Wisdom. Simply Spelling looks good, but the daily assignments are being covered in our spelling programs. I want to personalize it more. I think Spelling Wisdom will do that. Thanks for everyone's comments. You've helped me focus on what my needs are and how I want to fill those needs. I may sleep on it to be sure. :D

[Zee]

I, like you, haven't used SS, but from the samples, it would appear that on the day of dictation, you would dictate the passage that you studied all week. Therefore, you would not need to look for passages. It appears from the comments here, that some are using it as a stand-alone spelling program, while others are using it to supplement their programs.

Re: SW. I take it that the passages in SW are graduated. In other words, they will increase in length and complexity. They are designed to teach the 6,000 most frequently used words (plus an additional 6500 words). Since I have a poor speller who can use review of high frequency words, this is a good fit, as is. If you are wanting to match your spelling from SWO to SW, then that could be done (I think they said there is an index of words - check the website to be sure), but then you miss out on the graduated affect, or at least I would think so. It may be cumbersome to do that, also.

Perhaps someone else can comment on the effect of using Simply Spelling as a stand-alone curriculum. I can't help you with that one. :)

[Mamagistra]

You might want to look at Simply Spelling as well. www.shoelacebooks.com

Now I can't decide! :confused: