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Aug. 27, 2008
Ah Spelling and Back on the Right Track to Reading
We have to revisit my spelling decision. Spelling power is a great program. DD11 is loving it and is just chugging along. she loves that she only needs to study the words that she doesn't know. She loves that she can just move on instead of doing a whole bunch of needless stuff to cover words she already knows. And so for her, Spelling Power is the right program.
Ah, But DD8 is NOT DD11! And that has become abundantly clear with spelling. She struggles to not spell the word, but to hear the sounds. she struggles to hear the phonetics, let alone know what that means to her spelling words. SO, we have taken a huge leap back and are going from the beginning.
I went searching for a program that would take spelling and break it down. Break it down to the mere phonetical sounds. But not so far back as to assume the child doesn't know anything. Basically, I wanted to pick up phonics in the middle of the stream--lol, or in this case the middle of the tracks.
I found Back on the Right Track Reading during a google search. It's a 'remedial' program that assumes some knowledge, but not total mastery. So here's the run down; first you go over sound review. The sounds are listed and you create flash cards out of index cards. Then you go over writing the sounds on paper, while they write it they say the sound--not the letter. In fact you never say the letter name during the entire process!! After you write the sounds, you practice putting together words using sound tiles! These you create out of 2" bathroom tiles. I modge podged them to protect them. This is my DD8's favoritte part. As they pick up each tile to form the words, they say the sound that they have picked up. So if it is an short a they say /a/ and decide if it is the next sound they need. and then move on from left to right. The program also has you correct instantly. No practicing spelling wrong words, just simple correction and moving on. DD doesn't get that broadsided look anymore!! then they spend a few minutes reading the word list for the lesson. As a final activity, you have the child practice spelling a few words from the reading list.
This is just a very quick run through of the program. To be honest, I have found that it is worth the price of the book. DD8 has declared it her favorite subject right now, which it was her least favorite. she was tearing up at the mention of spelling just a week ago! So is it working, or is it just fun? Well i'm not sure just yet. I do know that she is getting closer to what I would expect an 8 year old to be able to do. She is listening to the words. And she is even getting those l's and n's that sort of blend in. so it's definitely at least teaching her to listen. Is she perfect at it? no. we do have a long ways to go, but I think that it's a start. And it's helping me see where she needs the help on. VOWELS!! are her biggest problem.
The lady who created this also has a beginning program for the pure beginners, I am contemplating getting it for our younger kids, but I haven't yet.
Here's a few pictures of it to see what you would be working with. DD says the tiles are her favorite part.
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| The book |
The case |
Inside look |
A look at our tiles |
I really like this program and I think given enough time, it will be as effective as i want it to be. It takes some time, but not a whole lot. And it's portable. lol, with DH appointments I have to drive him to, I have been known to grab the book and box and run. we can even do it in the car!
Good luck in your journey and i hope that if you have a struggler that you give this option a thought or two. I don't recieve any kick back, I just think it's worth a look.
t8ermomma |
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Posted by 
Aug. 29, 2008 - spelling for 8 yr old
Robin