Monday, December 22, 2008

All About Spelling


 


All About Spelling!


In my house, I have several students who struggle. For this review, I am focused on my student with ADHD and Dyslexia. We have struggled so much with him, or I should say he has struggled.


We had been using a spelling curriculum, that I fully endorsed, let's just say, I was not in the market for a new spelling curriculum when All About Spelling arrived on my doorstep, as part of the products to review for The Homeschool Crew.


However, I vowed to give this curriculum a go! Lets start with their website... visit them here


All About Spelling uses a multi-sensory approach to teaching spelling. And in all honesty, that was one of the things that made me happy from the outset.  My son, had been getting better with spelling using our old curriculum. It opened many a learning door for him. However, what we kept coming up was, why is it spelled that way now, and a different way in such and such word. Or that doesn't make sense.... and that was so very frustrating to him.


Well, with All About Spelling, he is learning the spelling rules! Not just words!  All About Spelling teaches the Orton Gillingham phonograms.  It then teaches the child in short incremental lessons that follow a logical sequence.


For my ADHD / Dyslexia kid, this is key! The program consists of hands on activities: (from the All About Spelling Website)




  • The Flashcards provide a visual and hands-on way to help your student learn and review phonograms, words, and spelling rules.




  • The Spelling Review Box helps you organize the flashcards so you can quickly see which words, phonograms, and spelling rules your student still needs to learn and review. (Flashcards and dividers are included; you supply the 3x5" index card box.)




  • The Segmenting Words activity helps your student identify the individual sounds in a word so that he can spell more easily and accurately.




  • Concept-oriented spelling lists that are grouped by similar phonograms and spelling rules accelerate learning by organizing ideas in the student’s mind and allowing the student to concentrate on and master one or two main concepts before moving on.




  • Key Cards clearly present key ideas, concepts, and spelling rules that help your student thoroughly understand why a word is spelled the way it is and how to apply that knowledge to many other words.




  • The More Words and Dictate Phrases sections reinforce current and previously learned concepts, increase the student’s repertoire of words, and allow the student to apply his knowledge in practical situations.




  • Tips for the teacher anticipate and provide answers to your questions and give you on-the-spot strategies for helping your student overcome stumbling blocks. Worked seamlessly into the lessons, tips are placed right where you need them, when you need them, so you can continue your teaching uninterrupted.




  • The Progress Chart gives your student a visual reminder of how far he has come and motivates him to master the next step.




All aspects of this program are well thought out! And they are easy for me to follow, which makes teaching my struggling and reluctant learner much easier than anticipated!


The program consists of 4 levels. With 2 more levels coming out soon, that will bring the program up all the way through high school. The program uses leveled books, rather than by grade. This is a huge plus for the struggling learner!


Now the pricing.


Levels 1 and 2 are $29.95 for the book and materials packet. You need one materials packet per child. Additional packets can be purchased for $12.95. The letter tiles, which are a required items are $9.95. The magnets for the tiles are $5.95.  They also have made an Audio Phonogram CD, which is $14.95, that is wonderful. It really helped my son to "hear" the sounds clearly!  The tiles and the audio cd are one time purchases, you do not have to buy those again for each level.


Levels 3 and 4 are $39.95 for the book and packets, with extra packets selling for $17.95.


Let me also add that the people of All About Spelling are all about helping you teach your child! When you visit their website, you will find many helpful articles. The articles there are wonderful.


Please visit All About Spelling today and see if this wonderful program will work for your family!


By the way, we have switched our spelling curriculum! Thank you All About Spelling!

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