All About Spelling questions

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  • February 14, 2010 at 2:09 pm
    nerakr
    Participant

    I’ve been looking at this for awhile, and I didn’t want to hijack mrskatie’s thread, so here are my questions:

    (1) I know it’s ungraded. When did you start it with your dc, and why?

    (2) Ds6 already knows his vowels sounds. Could we skip those lessons or fast-forward through them?

    (3) Do I have to buy the phonogram cards and tiles or could I make them myself/substitute what I already have?

    I’m asking because I can’t decide if I should start spelling next year (1st grade), or wait a year.

    Thanks,
    Karen

    February 14, 2010 at 2:44 pm
    wearejenandkev
    Participant

    I started it this year with my 6yo.   I know that is earlier than SCM recommends.  But, it is very low key!  So, we just work on it a little and don’t let it become a frustration.   I follow SCM, but this is one area that I stray!  So, I don’t think that my way is the SCM way in this area!  My theory is just try it.  If it doesn’t work, then save it for next year. 

    I wouldn’t skip level one! It is the building blocks for the whole program!  Start with level one.  You won’t regret it!  As far as skipping lessons.  I did every lesson completely with my 6yo.  But, with my 8yo, I gave him the dictation at the end of each lesson.  If he got them all correct, we skipped the lesson.  If he didn’t, we reviewed it.  My 8yo did level one in a couple months.  But, we have been doing it all year with my 6yo.  (He knew all his sounds and was reading 3 letter words when we started it.)   

    You could make the phonogram cards using the teachers manual.  I don’t think you could substitute, though.  It is pretty specific.   

    Hope that helps!

    Jennifer 

    February 14, 2010 at 2:48 pm
    missceegee
    Participant

    I start at 5 yo b/c I teach my kids to read by teaching them to spell and I do this based on when they are ready to start reading which for us has been around 5 yo.

    I would start with level one and move forward as quickly or slowly as needed. It really does build a foundation that is necessary. My dd9 did level one in 1 week when she was 8, but that was after 1.5 years of SWR.

    I would suggest getting the phonogram cards and the letter tiles w/ magnets. They are good quality and worth the price, imo. They are also specific as Jennifer mentioned. 

    HTH,

    Christie

    February 15, 2010 at 1:35 am
    crazy4boys
    Participant

    I have done the program with my two older boys.  They started when they were 8 and one of them flew through Level 1 in a few months, the other took a while longer.  Now one is almost done with Level 2 and the other is halfway through.  I thought it was important for them to have the foundation and understanding of how the program works and there are a lot of important rules in Level 1.  They enjoyed it and never complained about doing the “easy” spelling.  We started them then because they asked to learn how to spell.

    I’m about to start with my 6-yr-old.  He reads fairly well so the first little bit will be review, but again, I want him to have that foundation.  We’re starting him earlier than his brothers because he’s ready earlier.

    I would suggest buying her stuff just because they are great quality and it saves you some headaches trying to get it done yourself.  Once you buy them you won’t need them for further levels.  Well, you need to add on a few here and there, but there aren’t many and they aren’t expensive.  The whole program is completely re-usable.

    Heather

     

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