| Copyright 2006 Julie Shepherd Knapp |
| Copyright 2006 Julie Shepherd Knapp. All rights reserved. |
| about the book |
| The Homeschool Diner's Guide to Homeschooling by Subject Language Arts for Homeschoolers Complete Spelling Programs by Julie Shepherd Knapp, copyright 2006 Spelling Power by Beverly Gordon-Adams, published by Castlemoyle Books -- This is a single volume resource for teaching grades 1 - 12. Introduces a set of spelling rules which are applied at each level. Also teaches various spellings of a single sound (such as tail, sale, neighbor) rather than each spelling pattern separately. The method focuses on a spiraled approach with six levels of review (including words from past chapters) to ensure mastery. Each mis-spelled word is studied using a ten step multi sensory method (including skill-building activities and games) until it can be spelled correctly. Includes frequently used words, dictionary work and other activities, and a CD-Rom of resources. Who might find this program useful? Those who want a complete spelling program that teaches both phonetic word patterns and spelling rules, and includes vocabulary building. This program is recommended for children already reading at a 2nd grade level or higher. The program author had struggling spellers in mind when she created this curriculum. Good for children who need repetition to memorize. Children who are naturally good spellers may be frustrated with the review and repetition of words they already know. Children who struggle with handwriting or have a writing disability (such as dysgraphia) may balk at the repetion of writing the same words over and over as part of the spiralling review. However, the method does not require a large amount of creative or expository writing. Building Spelling Skills by Christian Liberty Press -- A Christian focused spelling program for grades 1 - 8 that includes Christian values, Bible quotations, and reminders to pray before each test. Teaches a combination of spelling rules and phonics rules using word lists, looking up meanings of unknown words in the dictionary, other activities, and tests. Includes vocabulary building, word roots, the spelling of place names and words common to travel, transportation, entertainment, health, etc. Who might find this program useful? Those who want a complete spelling program that teaches both phonetic word patterns and spelling rules, and includes vocabulary building... all with a Christian focus. The Natural Speller by Kathryn Stout for Design-a-Study -- This is a single volume resource that includes phonics and spelling rules and a general outline of how to construct your own tailored spelling program for grades 1 - 8. Includes teaching strategies, word lists for each grade level, and suggested activities for grammar, dictionary use and writing. Includes lists of suffixes, prefixes, and words derived from foreign words. Includes multi-sensory activities for struggling spellers (Kathryn Stout has a Master's degree in Special Ed). Teaches each phonetic sound separately (true, blue, clue, etc.). Who might find this program useful? Those who want a complete spelling program that teaches both phonetic word patterns and spelling rules. Includes strategies for helping struggling spellers. Often used with Unit Study approaches. Spell to Write and Read and WISE by Wanda Sanseri -- This is a sequential spelling program based on Orton-Gillingham methods (which have a proven track record in teaching children with dyslexia) and Romalda Spalding's phonograms. Spell to Read and Write is the manual and teaching guide to using the program. The companion book, WISE, contains the list of spelling words and is used in daily teaching. Other materials needed are the phonogram flash cards, spelling rule flash cards, and audio CD of sounds. Covers phonics, penmanship (both manuscript and cursive), and spelling through college level. Include scripted examples on how to teach the phonics and spelling words to your children. Who might find this program useful? Students who struggle with reading and spelling. Students with a spelling or reading disability, such as dyslexia. Often used with Classical and Charlotte Mason approaches. How to Teach Any Child to Spell and Tricks of the Trade by Gayle Graham -- This is a single volume resource spelling program that teaches basic phonics rules and 6 key spelling rules thru 4-step daily lessons. No standard lists of spelling words are provided, instead, spelling words are generated from errors in the students own daily writing. This method requires either the parent or the student to make lists of mis-spelled words for use in the program. Requires a companion book, Tricks of the Trade, used daily by the student. A good review is at Rainbow Resources. Who might find this program useful? Students who can already read and write, and are accustomed to daily writing. Students who prefer to learn the spelling rules and apply them to spelling words they actually use on a daily basis, rather than memorizing generic lists of words. Could work as a "catch-up" program for teens who need to improve their spelling. Students who struggle with writing may balk at daily writing assignments, and might be discouraged by having spelling errors marked up in what they have struggled so hard to write. Sequential Spelling and If It Is to Be It Is Up to Me to Do It by AVKO -- This program was designed for home use. It focuses on word families and intuitive spelling patterns, no phonics or spelling rules are taught. The program builds on simple words such as "in" then adds to the word to arrive at "pin", "spin", "pins" "pinning", "beginning", etc. The teacher says the word, students attempt to write the word, the teacher writes the correct spelling on the board, the child self-corrects the spelling, then they move onto a new word. There are 7 lesson books that do not correspond to grade level. At whatever grade level you decide to teach spelling, you begin your student with Level 1, up to age 10. From age 11 and up it is recommended that you use "If It IsTo Be..." instead of Level 1. An adult version of the program is also available, called "Sequential Spelling For Adults". Free samples and downloads available. Who might find this program useful? Students who do not like or have trouble with learning spelling rules. Students who have trouble using phonics-based programs. Students who would enjoy looking for and discovering patterns of spelling on their own. The author recommends the program for dyslexics. |