I have been so excited to complete this product review! We have been using All About Spelling for over a year; though inconsistently. When I found out we would be receiving all four levels for review I was thrilled!!! Talk about a true blessing from God! Even with inconsistent use of the first level, I noticed a huge improvement in my daughter's spelling. I am happy to say that consistent use yields even better results! I am excited to start the 2009 using this with my seven year old son as well. (We get back to school on Monday!)
What is All About Spelling: All About Spelling is a graduated spelling program that works with beginning readers or with remedial spellers. All About Spelling is based on the Orton-Gillingham method of teaching spelling, and is by far the easiest implementation of this method I have ever seen. All About Spelling provides a multi-sensory approach, flashcards, oral repetition, visual/kinesthetic work with letter tiles. I have many friends using All About Spelling, and I don't know anyone who has been disappointed!
What's Included: Each level includes a teacher's guide and a packet of necessary flashcards for $29.95. Letter Tiles are available separately for $9.95.
What I like: I love the incremental approach to learning spelling. You start by learning all of the sounds each letter can make, and then gradually add letter combinations like vowel combinations and the sounds they can make and consonant blends. Rules are taught along the way in each level. I even learned a spelling rule I did not know in Level One! I have always been a natural speller, and even won spelling bees growing up; so I was pretty excited to find information about spelling that I did not know. I was also astonished by how much my daughter learned from Level One. She is a great reader (high school level); but she did not know some of the most basic alternate sounds for vowels as taught for spelling.
What I don't like: What I have not like in the past was that all of the flashcards (100s) have to be cut by hand. I am thrilled to report that Ms. Rippel has ordered perforated cards and they will be available for sale soon!
My Bottom Line: After trying several different spelling methods with my oldest daughter, this is what we are using. I would not choose any other spelling program for my children.
The bottom line is; We try not to insist on parent-led learning or gravitate toward child-led learning. We try instead to focus on God-led learning and ask for His input and perspective on every aspect of our home school. That way, when others fuss about what Dan and I are doing and make me second guess our decisions -- I can go back to our decision process and find God's fingerprints, reminding me that this is His way.
