There has been a meme tage going around where you list 25 random things about you, and I cannot believe how many people I have seen who have listed something like this:  "I am OCD about spelling.  I cannot stand misspelled words."  For better or for worse, poor spelling is commonly equated with a lack of intelligence and education.  So, it is one of my goals for my children to be good spellers!

We have a spelling program that I have enjoyed fairly well, so I was a little hesitant to change for this review.  However, when I saw the materials sent to me from All About Spelling (AAS), I got pretty excited about trying it!  The initial prep is labor intensive, as you have to cut all of the cards you will use with the program (and there are A LOT).  However, the company has heard customers' requests, and will now be perforating all of the cards.  This will dramatically cut down on prep time.

As I was cutting all the cards, the first impression I had was that this was going to be fun.  AAS is a multisensory, colorful program very unlike any spelling curriculum I have ever seen.  It uses the cards and magnetic tiles in a hands-on manipulative style to teach children spelling and the patterns behind English spelling.

The manual pleased me even more than the colorful cards!  It is no secret to those who know me that I love a program I can just pick up and use right away.  This program is just that, and the manual is very easy to use.  It is laid out in a beautifully organized, easy to use way that makes it easy and fun to teach.

The final thing I love about this program is that it is organized phonetically.  I have always thought that good readers make good spellers, and this program teaches and reinforces good reading skills right along with spelling.  I love that I can use this not only  to teach spelling, but to teach my children how to read as well!  It makes for such an effective use of our time, which is essential when you are teaching squirmy little boys like mine!  My daughter is in 4th grade, and is greatly benefitting from this program as well.  I taught her to read "on my own" (without a formal phonics program), and she is a great reader.  I love that this program fills in any "gaps" left from a lack of using a formal systematic program.

All in all, I think All About Spelling is here to stay at our house for a while!  Levels 1 & 2 are $29.95 each for the teacher and materials packet set. Levels 3 & 4 are $39.95 for each set.  They will be adding two more levels this year to take the program all the way through high school.  The letter tiles (essential to the program) are $9.95. The magnets for the letter tiles (helpful for keeping your tiles organized on a magnetic board or cookie sheet) are $5.95. The phonogram CD is $14.95, and helps you to know the correct pronunciation of each sound.  To see more, check out http://www.all-about-spelling.com/ and the rest of the Crew reviews here!

P.S.    I realize that my blog will now be subjected to a scrutiny of my spelling errors, because I just reviewed a spelling program.  I am horrible about typos, even though I am a good speller, so you will probably find plenty to criticize.  So, if you feel the need, go for it... just don't leave me a ton of comments about it, LOL!  (Unless, of course, I have misspelled something and it is just heinous or something ;) )