Homeschooling Spelling

Homeschooling spelling can be a challenge. I used to think that since my children all love to read they would be natural-born spellers. As they got older and started writing more on their own, I realized that that that wasn't always the case! What to do??? At that point I started searching for a good spelling program. Believe me, I tried a lot of them.

Most spelling programs are simply workbooks that give you a list every week with a couple of pages of exercises to do using the words. Since they seem to be so common, I have to believe that these work for some kids out there!

You can get generic spelling workbooks.

You can get Protestant spelling workbooks.

You can get Catholic spelling workbooks.

They really aren't that hard to find. Just check out your favorite curriculum provider and you'll have plenty to choose from.

The ones that I tried worked for awhile, but then the kids (and I!) would get bored of them.

By far the best spelling program I've used is

The Writing Road to Reading, Fifth Edition By Romalda Bishop Spalding, edited by Mary E. North, Ph.D. Advocating a total language arts approach, this new edition of the classic "A Writing Road to Reading" has been updated to reflect the latest research and understanding of how the human brain learns to read. Each chapter begins with an overview, visual layout of major sections, subsections, key points and more, as well as new features such as instructional procedures with sample dialogues. Updated lists of children's literature, seventy phonograms, language rules and a new section on syllable division, recommended language arts scope & sequence, framework for planning integrated lessons and more are all included. 471 indexed pages, softcover.

To me, this homeschooling spelling program makes the most sense. It teaches kids how to spell and read based on learning 70 phonograms - the different sounds that a group of letters makes. For instance, the ch phonogram makes the three different sounds ch, ck and sh.

I have found that once you learn this system, it is so much easier to teach kids how to spell correctly, as well as how to "sound out" words they don't know. When I do resort back to a spelling workbook, I still utilize this method of teaching the words.

If you've never used this book before, try finding a copy to browse through, or better yet, find someone who has used it so they can help you along with the ins and outs of it. It might take a little getting used to, but it is definitely worth it in the long run.

Need some more help homeschooling spelling? Check out this page on the spelling software program called SpellQuizzer. It's a great way to get your kids to practice those spelling words every week!