Deciding on Logic of English versus Natural Speller

In a Charlotte Mason style education spelling is taught using a technique called “prepared dictation”. We have a Prepared Dictation Explained video that shows how it works if you’d like to find out more.

Natural Speller is just lists of spelling words.   I had it and used it as a “backup” to see if my kids could do words for my first kid because I was nervous about him being “behind.”  I do think basic spelling and phonics rules are useful.  I have to confess that the very, very heavy rule-based methods do not work for me or my children.  I do very much value prepared dictation, and there are many reasons why.  The child is not studying words “in a vacuum” but in the course of real language.  One can use any combination of methods to study and prepare the words, including but not limited to phonics based rules, visualization, word study and breakdown (what language it’s from, prefixes, suffixes, etc.) mnemonics, picture-based memory aids–whatever your child needs to get that word down.  In the long run, this can help make a speller more intuitive.  I recommend this method since it is so adaptable.

I mean we study each word the child might have difficulty spelling.  We apply what phonics rules we know.  (I myself prefer keeping this part simple, as it seems to me from my time in spelling bees that the kids who spelled best weren’t the ones who knew 97 different rules for when to use each pronunciation of “ough” but the ones who could SEE the word in their heads.)  We apply basic phonics where appropriate.  We add in whatever else helps, and at all times “take a picture” of the word and work until we can “see” it and then recognize it as correct when written down.  We will use any tool we can find to HELP in this, including origin of word (that will often, for example, result in a “ph” spelling for the “fff” sound if the word is from the Greek.) We will use whatever mnemonic devices we can come up with.  (WE are WEird)  We will use mental pictures.  One of my children struggled with remembering where the “h’s” go in “rhythm” until he decided to think of the H’s as drumsticks being held right after the first letter and before the last.  You don’t have to be a phonics expert.  You could even use something as simple as a webpage as a rule of thumb to get you started (you might consider one like this.  

http://www.myteacherpages.com/webpages/lthreadgill/parent_resources.cfm?subpage=907764

I usually find Cathy Duffy’s reviews helpful, as well, for more detail:

http://cathyduffyreviews.com/phonics_reading/Logic-of-English.htm

http://cathyduffyreviews.com/spelling-vocabulary/all-about-spelling.htm

I’m reading over them now. 🙂

Melissa

No, I haven’t ordered anything yet. That is where I’m stuck, deciding between AAS along with either their reading program or Reading Horizons, or the Logic of English, which is appealing in that its one program instead of two. I, too, would find it helpful to hear from parents of older students how well these programs worked for them. While these are less expensive than the Barton program, it’s still a good chunk of change to spend. Lol! We’re also trying to get information on testing for dyslexia and hope that will help in choosing materials and developing a plan. I wish he was able to do SW, that would be so much simpler. 🙂

I definitely want to do Latin. I’m just thinking we may need to wait a year considering our current stuck position with reading & spelling, not to mention math. Oye!

Anyway, I’m so thankful you asked the question so I could learn about Logic of English. I am really leaning toward that one now. 🙂

Melissa