Sequential Spelling Review

Spelling is a subject we all struggle with but for some of us it’s an extra challenge. I found sequential spelling to be an answer for my reluctant speller. No weekly spelling tests over random lists but instead a logical progression built on a familiar foundation. Like building blocks, sequential spelling begins with basic word families and quickly builds on them.

Most spelling curricula focus on typical age ability and memorizing lists. Though there may be rules presented, these lists never really give a complete understanding of the regular patterns seen in the English language. In contrast, Sequential Spelling begins with the basis of the words, adds consonants to them making word families, then adds prefixes and suffixes. So your child sees right away how to build complex words and can immediately apply them to his writing. If  your child struggles with spelling rules this is one curriculum that can offer a different strategy.

The method has 4 steps:

1. You dictate the word.
2. Your child attempts to spell it.
3. You then model the correct spelling of the word.
4. Your child makes the corrections to his spelling if needed.

Another thing that separates this program from many others is it’s mutli-sensory approach. This approach was developed by Don McCabe to teach dyslexics. You can easily accentuate the oral and kinesthetic channels of learning if your child tends toward the other learning styles.

Most families start with level 1. This is an extra benefit for teaching multiple children in that spelling can be taught all together. I found level one to be challenging enough for my third grader because it adds to the basics right off. So by the eighth day your child is already spelling words like disagreeing. However, if you have older children, you may want to use the placement test to be sure.

Level 1 covers:

• An introduction to teaching the method, explained in the context of the first 8 days of  teaching
• 180 days of spelling words
• Word families -in, -en, -et,  -ot, -ay, -ime, -and, -ight and more
• Words ranging in difficulty from words like flow to acknowledgment
• 25 daily words
• Review lists after every 40 days
• Teacher’s notes at the bottom of every page for homophones and other explanations

Sequential Spelling is available from AVKO Educational Research Foundation. It is available in three formats:

• Book and Student Book-$19.95
• E-Book-$14.95
• DVD-$27.95

You only need the book if you plan to teach the lesson. The DVD option is available with which the student can work more independently. This might be preferable for some families, especially one that uses multiple spelling curriculum. In addition, you can purchase a student response book, but you can also have your child use a plain notebook.

What we really like about this program is that there is no studying required and that lessons can be completed quickly {approx. 20 min}. My youngest child has always disliked the spelling exceptions within the English language. This curriculum took the “hair pulling” out of our day. It’s simple and repetitive approach made sense to my learner, so there was no struggle.  He knew what was expected from the repetitive method which took out the stress of being tested each week. We are looking forward to using it again for our 2012-2013 curriculum.

This program gives children the foundational tools they need. Before you know it, they will be master builders.

For additional help in making your choice read another review  on Sequential Spelling here @ The Curriculum Choice.

Stephanie has homeschooled for ten years and lived overseas for eight. When she isn’t teaching, she writes about  homeschooling, faith and being a military spouse @ Harrington Harmonies.