Word study approach to spelling

I just won a level of their program in their giveaway! I’m excited to see it.

I’m not familier with Spelling Mechanics, but I am going to advocate for All About Spelling …or a similar method. 

Our dd (3rd grade) is currently working through Level 2.  I LOVE it because it’s multisensory so you can customize it for each child.  This particular child isn’t real hands on, so we don’t use the tiles as much, but I have an upcoming ds that will use them.  I also LOVE that it has step by step lesson plans.  It’s open and go.  Spelling only takes us about 10 minutes each day and there is very little prep.  There is built in daily review.  The syllable division teaching has really helped her to slow down and try to sound out words while applying the rules.  I also LOVE the rules because they are not in your face, but very practical.  Our older dd (11th grade) makes many “nonsense” spelling errors because she was taught by memorizing spelling lists and not by rules.  She has commented that she wishes she was taught with AAS…LOL. 

AAS also includes approprate level dictation, starting with single words, then phrases, then sentences.  As noted, we are only in Level 2, just finishing up Lesson 15, but I typically dictate several words, 6 phrases, and 6 sentences per lesson.  One lesson lasts us anywhere from 4-7 days depending. 

As far as cost, if you will use with multiple children, it will pay for itself.  It is non-consumable.  Also, resale value is close to new price, I’ve even seen it exceed new price on E-Bay, which is very silly   So, I’m sure if you made the investment, you would be able to get your money back.  Also, if you are creative, you may be able to get by with just the Teacher’s Manual.  It’s laid out so well, that I think you could make your own cards and tiles. 

Feel free to ask any further questions.  I’ve got to run help my kiddos…..

Blessings,

Melissa

http://reflectionsfromdrywoodcreek.blogspot.com/

Bumping : )

Thank you for your feedback! What ages are your children and what levels are you using? I am looking at it right now for my dd 10 who is struggling a great deal with spelling even basic words and has been having a lot of trouble retaining any spellings. I am looking at it to use as a remedial learning course along with the phonograms and spelling rules from The Logic of English book. Then, if all goes well with the program I would probably continue it throughout the rest of the program levels and start it with my younger kids as well.

We are currently trying to figure out what level to place her in. I am also somewhat confused as to how to set up and implement the program. It just didn’t seem very clear to me from the website and the samples, etc. so it is a little difficult to get a good feel as to whether it will be a good fit for us or not. Is it an everyday type program? There seems to be a lot of seperate components to it that I was not sure of how to successfully implement. Do you do different parts of the program on different days or a little bit of each part every day? I have no idea if that question makes any sense! Hopefully you understand my meaning! ; ).

Thanks again for your response,

Miranda

My son is 8.  We use the 1st and 2nd grade level for him right now.  He was very far behind when we started this program.  I also use the K level for my 4 year old.  My son has started to recognize word family patterns and rules.  I usually print out 2 units at a time.  I keep everything in a 3 ring binder.  I have one with teaches guidance for me, and my son has his spelling notebook wit the worksheets.  Under the general guidence is the Launch Pad (I know the higher levels call it something else).  There is “techer guide” for the units.  It tells you what is being learned in the unit and gives ideas of how to present the material.  The nice thing is that it will tell you what unit from the previous levels certain rules were introduced in.  This is helpful for my son.  When we reach a unit he is really struggling with we can go back to the previous level and review it.  We do spelling 4 days a week most of the time.  I usually break it down by group.  For example, if the unit has 3 word families we will do 1 word family per day.  We have not started the dictionary skills yet because my son isn’t ready for it.  I would suggest getting ahold of Ann.  She keeps up with their FB page, and also takes care of their main site.  She will be than willing to help you find the right level, and she also has a lot of advice on how to set up and use the program.  The one thing I like the most is how easy it is to personalize this program.  You only print what you want to use.  The tests are 5 spelling words and the rest focuses on the rules or families that were taught in the unit.  Their are 2 levels of spelling words to choose from for each unit.  One set is the harder words for the more advanced spellers, and the other set is easier words for the struggling speller.  You get to choose the level that your child is at.  This is nice for us becasuse my son is able to master the rules and grasp the spelling concepts without having to struggle memeorize the harder words.
Starting out is a little intimitating.  Like you said, there is a lot of components.  The good thing is you can adapt to what your child needs and their abilities.  It took me a couple of weeks to really find my groove and find how I wanted to run the program and what worked best for us.

Nicole

Thanks! I really do appreciate the feedback and experience. We ordered a level this evening. We are starting with a lower level because of the frustration she has been experiencing with her spelling previously. We don’t want to miss foundational concepts that she needs to build on and she really does need to work on just basic spellings of words first.

Hopefully I will get the disc soon and we will be able to start putting things together. Thanks for letting me know that Ann will be so helpful with getting things set up. It certainly helps to know that!

God Bless!

-Miranda