I’ve seen several spelling programs and have not been overly impressed. It seems that the programs fall into one of two categories, either they are based on memorization and focus on commonly used word lists or they teach word families. Neither method has ever appealed to me. I want a spelling method that teaches the “why” of spelling, that gives our kids rules and reasons that we spell the way we do.
All About Spelling is hands down the best spelling program that I have seen. The program focuses on teaching the “why” of spelling and it uses a multi-sensory approach to teach that “why”, for easier teaching and better retention.
“All About Spelling” begins by teaching the sounds for the 26 letters in the alphabet. For letters that have more than one sound the children learn all of the sounds (i.e. for the letter ‘a’ the child learns /a/ as in cat, /a/ as in cake and /ah/ as in father).
Next the child learns how to segment words, how to divide the words into their letter sounds and how to identify what sounds make up the word. The children do this by using tokens to signify each sound in a word.
The hands-on part of the method comes in the form of letter tiles. “All About Spelling” comes with letter tiles for each of the 26 letters and also for common letter blends. The children use these letter tiles to identify sounds and to segment and spell words. There are also many optional activity ideas that include more hands-on and tactile learning.
The program then goes into the mechanics of spelling, introducing syllables, letter blends and other various rules that govern spelling. Each new concept is introduced slowly and clearly and several different methods of instruction are given. The rules and ideas follow logically and build upon each other.
All About Spelling also includes a method of review for the sounds, rules and concepts that are introduced. (This is very similar to our review method for memory work.) It also teaches the child to verbalize as they write which involves three pathways to the brain, visual (they see the image), auditory (they hear the sounds spoken aloud) and kinesthetic (they feel their hand forming the letters and feel the vocal cords vibrate as the sound is repeated). Several other hands-on and tactical teaching methods are introduced and parents are encouraged and instructed how to adapt the program to fit their child’s specific needs.
There is no memorizing of word lists in “All About Spelling”. The child is taught to hear and recognize the sounds in words and then taught the rules to understand what letter/letters should be used to represent those sounds. The kids learn the “why” of spelling.
What we thought:
This is the best, most logical and comprehensive spelling program that I have seen. I did “All About Spelling” with our 7 year old son and he loved spelling with tiles, reviewing his sounds and rules and learning more about word construction than he ever has before.
This is a great program for children who have difficulty with fine motor skills because the children initially learn to spell with the tiles. If you’re child really has difficulty with writing, you can teach “All About Spelling” using the tile exclusively.
“All About Spelling” gives many different options for teaching the concepts and gives teaching tips for when a child makes mistakes or doesn’t understand something. It also includes additional practice words for children who grasp things more slowly. This makes the program very easy to implement no matter who you are teaching or what their learning style.
- The method is marvelous.
- Multi-sensory teaching style
- Logical, incremental approach with lots of built in review
- Spelling words are mostly simple allowing the children to apply what they have learned to more complex words. (I like this although I’ve seen others who would prefer more complex words.)
- Easy to decide which level – All students begin at level 1. Older students will move through the early levels very quickly.
- I think that multi-grading this would be difficult and did not attempt to do so myself.
- You may need to purchase a student pack for each child depending on how quickly they move through the program and how organized you are.
- Time intensive for the teacher – This isn’t a “go study your spelling words” program. Each day the teacher sits down and works on spelling with the child.
Bottom line? “All About Spelling” gets two thumbs up. All About Spelling will teach your children the reason that we spell words the way that we do. They will learn the “why” behind spelling.
You may purchase All About Spelling Level 1 with a student material pack for $29.95 and Level 2 with a student material pack is $39.95. There are currently 5 levels of All About Spelling. In addition to the teacher’s manual and material pack you will need an index card box and paper and pencil.
All About Spelling has come out with a beautiful new easy reader that corresponds to their spelling program.
You may read more of my homeschool reviews on my review page.
I was given All About Spelling Level 1 and 2 with the student material packs in order to complete this review. All opinions and thoughts expressed are my own and I was not otherwise compensated for this review.
This post is included in the Homeschool Curriculum Review Roundup.