Ok, with the issues with spelling I changed our plans to Spelling Power. We didn't bother to wait for the new year, we tossed out the books that weren't working (BJUs) and  put aside the McGuffey Speller, and tried on Spelling Power for size! And I think, just after the initial out set, we are having a blast.  The girls Are learning their words. And they are even asking to do MORE spelling. I think the world has officially come to an end!

Now to be honest the program seems to be a bit overwhelming. But if you follow the quick steps (and don't read the entire thing) it only takes a few minutes to really get going. I've been reading the rest of it as I go. It works GREAT. I did put tabs in my book for quick reference. It has made things so much easier. I did NOT purchase the $30 activity cards. The activities are in the book, and the disk that comes with it has them in a printable fashion. However, when I went to cut them out, they did NOT fit in my file box. So I ended up purchasing some colorful index cards, adding more tabs to them and making our own file box. It didn't take much work, but it was time consuming. So I work on them a little at a time. (like while the kids are working on their activities for spelling in the first place! : ) So I spent about $5.00 instead of $30 and I have enough space to add in my own ideas.  LIke TWISTER (tm) We are adding in a card that has Twister on it. We'll play the game, but before they get a chance to move, they have to spell one of their study words. Then if they fall, they aren't out just yet, they get a chance to stay in by spelling one of their study words.

To mark their words and stopping point I have a PLAN!  MUAHH HAA HAA! Oh, wait, this isn't an EVIL plan, just a plan!  : ) I use post it's to mark the page. I have 2 kids working on it and both are at different levels, so I use two colors. Then I make a little dash next to the words they miss. I then write the FIRST word to give them after reviewing the missed words on the post it note. This way I know where to start and I know their review words, with out pulling out the previous test/study pages.

Well I'll keep you updated on how it's all going. I hope the kids continue to learn this way and continue to ask for MORE spelling!! : )