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Spelling it Right
is a member of the Gateway to Educational Materials Consortium
sponsored by the United States Department of Education. Buying Spelling Books and Games in the USARoger Smith This isn't a commercial from Amazon! It's just that (being in England) I use the English branch of the company for all my book and software buys and I find their service slick and efficient and their prices competitive. Before I buy an item I especially like to be able to read reviews by customers who've bought it before. I should mention that any purchases you make by clicking through from the links on this page will earn me a tiny commission (at no extra cost to yourself) and this helps to keep my computer in repair and ensures that I can keep the web site running! BooksSo far as spelling books for parents, teachers and students themselves are concerned I'm going to suggest that you look at several to see if they fit your particular requirements. Unfortunately some of them are not available in England so I have to rely on recommendations from my contacts in the USA who tell me that they complement the worksheets they are using from Spelling it Right.For parents and teachers of students in grade 4 and upwards, Spelling Smart! is a ready-to-use activities program combining whole language concepts and phonics strategies to teach students with spelling difficulties how to spell by recognizing patterns and consistencies rather than memorizing hundreds of isolated words. Included are step-by-step instructions for utilizing the program followed by 40 sequential lessons covering Sounds, Syllables, Word Building, Rules and Generalizations accompanied by diagnostic tools, word lists, and 200 reproducible activity sheets. Click here to read about the program >> Spelling Smart!: A Ready-To-Use Activities Program for Students With Spelling Difficulties Most of us are familiar with simple phonics of the "cat sat on the mat" variety from our own early schooldays. In her award-winning book Uncovering the Logic of English Denise Eide argues that much more intensive phonics teaching can unlock the mysteries of English spelling. It is difficult to dispute her claim that 74 phonograms and 30 spelling rules explain 98% of English words. At first glance Eide's book may seem daunting to parents of children who are struggling with literacy. But the author's clear style, use of examples and systematic introduction of phonograms and rules quickly encourages the reader to try out these strategies. Teachers already using the phonics approach will find it an invaluable reference work. Others who teach phonics to a very basic level only may be inspired to think again! Click here for the paperback Uncovering the Logic of English or here Uncovering the Logic of English: (Kindle) for the Kindle version. Widely used in schools, prison literacy programs and by many parents at home, Toe by Toe is a highly structured, easy-to-follow scheme to help those with reading difficulties. Working alongside a helper for 20 minutes per day, students move forward in tiny manageable steps (toe by toe) but parents report massive strides in reading ability and self-esteem. Be sure to read the rave review by a parent who has bought the book. Click here: Toe by Toe: Highly Structured Multi-Sensory Reading Manual for Teachers and Parents
Spell Well (Grades 4 -
8) 50 Quick, Fun-Filled Ways to Help Kids of All Learning Styles Master
their Spelling Words Easy, classroom-tested activities and games
designed to be used with a regular spelling program or with students'
independent word lists to motivate even the most reluctant spellers and
writers. My Kid Can't Spell: Understanding and Assisting Your Child's Literacy Development . The title says it all really: Richard Gentry offers practical guidance for parents who want to play a more active role in their children's education. Click here for more information >> My Kid Can't Spell: Understanding and Assisting Your Child's Literacy Development
How to Spell Like a Champ. Written for ages 9 and up, the book shows kids
how to build word lists, and organize and study them most effectively.
It introduces knowledge of etymology, word roots, and spelling patterns.
The book is a spelling bee primer for the ten million kids who
participate in Scripps Spelling Bees on the local level. Sequential Spelling 1 by Don McCabe is popular with homeschooling families - parents and their children. They praise its logical method and concentration on word patterns. Do look at the customer reviews on this book. Click here: Sequential Spelling 1
Spelling Power, Fourth Edition
by Beverley L. Adams-Gordon has been highly recommended to me by
Homeschooling parents. It is rather expensive but users of this program
feel that it's good value for money as it can be followed right through
from grades 3 to 12. Click here for more details >>
Spelling Power, Fourth Editionand
remember to look at the very positive customer reviews.
Month-by-Month
Phonics for Upper Grades: A Second Chance for Struggling Readers and
Students Learning English comes highly recommended by teachers, one of whom says "Finally! A book that
works for upper elementary students." If you're familiar with the "Dummies" series of books you'll know that they're always well-written by people who know their business. Teaching Kids to Spell For Dummies is no exception. It's not available in England so I haven't been able to see a copy yet but looking at the Contents List and knowing Tracey Wood's other work I believe parents will find it most helpful. Look especially at other customers' reviews. Click here to see: Teaching Kids to Spell For Dummies If you're an adult who finds spelling difficult click on: Better Spelling in 30 Minutes a Day which is very popular among people who never really got to grips with spelling when they were at school Natural Speller by Kathryn L. Stout is especially liked by Homeschooling parents but would be a useful sourcebook for all parents and teachers. Do read the rave reviews at: Natural Speller
Best-Ever
Vocabulary & Word Study Games (Grades 4-8) : "Provides games and activities
to expand students' vocabulary to help them read, write, and test
better. Boost word power and test scores! Analyze word parts in the
Verbosaurus game, review vocabulary words in Oh My Word Relay Races,
explore synonyms in Synonym Tag, and more!" The Spelling Workout
books use a sports theme. Capitalizing on the close tie between spelling
and phonics,the program leads students from simple sound-letter
relationships to more complex spelling patterns. Click below on the
grades that interest you >> If your child has been diagnosed as Dyslexic you may wish to have Margaret Walton's book Teaching Reading and Spelling to Dyslexic Children. Written for teachers and parents, it is easy to understand and contains helpful games, charts and activities. Recommended by homeschoolers on both sides of the Atlantic. Click here for information >> Teaching Reading and Spelling to Dyslexic Children Teaching Kids to Spell is written primarily for teachers in the elementary grades but will be useful for parents too. Be sure to read the gushing review written by an elementary school teacher! Click here >> Teaching Kids to Spell A university professor involved in learning research describes Unlocking Literacy: Effective Decoding and Spelling Instruction as providing teachers "with the nuts and bolts they need to get optimal student gains reflecting, as it does, the best of what is known about how to teach decoding and spelling skills." Look at it here >> Unlocking Literacy: Effective Decoding and Spelling Instruction Banish Boring Words! has dozens of reproducible word lists for helping students choose just-right words to make their writing more interesting. I wish I'd had this book when I was at school! Have a look >> Banish Boring Words! DictionariesBarrington Stoke School Spelling Dictionary is a simpler version of the Dictionary of Perfect Spelling for the younger user and encourages the use of phonics to aid spelling. Praised by parents throughout the world. Barrington Stoke specialises in books for reluctant, struggling and dyslexic readers. Click here >> Barrington Stoke School Spelling Dictionary One of the most useful and portable tools for weak spellers is an
electronic dictionary and one that I like is the Franklin
MWD-450 Pocket Merriam-Webster Dictionary.
If you need a printed dictionary then look no further than the Merriam Webster series. For children, the DK Merriam-Webster Children's Dictionary can't be beaten. The clarity of the presentation makes it very easy to find words and the illustrations are informative and attractive. The definitions are readily understood with helpful examples of the words being used in sentences. Do read the customer reviews on this dictionary. Click here for more info >> DK Merriam-Webster Children's Dictionary GamesI'm a great believer in making learning fun and there are several relatively cheap commercial games which create an interest in words and therefore help in learning to spell. The traditional Hangman is a
super pencil and paper game and I'm sure everyone is familiar with it.
Now there's an electronic handheld
version which sits in the palm. With a memory bank of 8,000
words it's great on those long road journeys as an alternative to video
games. Read about it by clicking here: Hangman
Electronic Handheld Game
Spelling
Made Easy is a <--hilight this later-->
CD Rom Computer
Game produced by the well-know educational publisher Dorling
Kindersley. It features diagnostic testing, exercises and score charts
to monitor children's progress and is presented in a TV game show
format.
When I was still teaching full time I used to run a lunchtime
spelling club. By far the most popular game was Boggle
and I can
thoroughly recommend it both for learning and enjoyment. It's available
in several versions. Sarah Key's book
The Body in Action: You Can Keep Your Joints Young has absolutely nothing to do with
spelling.
But at the age of 75 I follow Sarah's exercise regime and I really do give it full
credit for stopping my joints creaking. I cannot praise it enough. Read the reviews.
Similarly her Back Sufferers' Bible
is highly acclaimed by those suffering with back ache. Have a look at
them here
The Body in Action: You Can Keep Your Joints Young
and here
Back Sufferers' Bible
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