Comments on: All About Spelling Review

By: Kimberly @ Raising Olives

Kimberly @ Raising Olives — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 11:52:15 +0000

I’m really glad that my review encouraged you to stick with AAS. The one on one time is challenging, but my plan is to have only one or two children going through this as a time. (I would work one on one with each child.)

As you mentioned the older ones can go through very quickly. Once they are done I envision them helping some of the younger ones. That is my plan at least.

By: Jen L

Jen L — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 03:22:10 +0000

We began using AAS in January. I was intimidated to start it earlier in the year because of the parental involvement and an alrady full schedule. Now, I feel mush more confident in the program and feel the time (less than I thought it would be) to be well worth it. My third grader has always had phonics and gradually “learned” spelling rules but they never seemed to stick well enough to be applied. The spelling was a very weak area. She went quickly through book 1 but enjoyed it and remembers it well. I agree with your review point that the simple words allow them to learn the rules which they can apply to more complex words. We also started this (although much slower) with our k-5 student. The tiles make it so easy with a beginning writer. She loves it – so much that she loves to sit and listen to her sister’s lesson. Thank you for such a complete review. It really motivated me to follow through with our initial decision.

By: Katie from NC

Katie from NC — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 21:54:21 +0000

I am really interested in using this. I was a horrible speller, and feel the need to re-learn spelling. My youngest is just learning to read (5 yrs) so I’m looking into getting this for BOTH of us Thanks for the review!

By: Lindsay

Lindsay — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 01:34:17 +0000

I use this for multiple grades but it does require one on one time with each student. My family is not as large as yours so right now it is still doable for me. I have seen huge improvement in my children after using this program for a few months. My oldest hated to spell and now is so confident. For my 7 year old who was convinced he couldn’t read, this program has done wonders.

I think you need to purchase a student pack for each level but not for each child. I bought multiple packs of level 1 and saw no reason to open more than one.

By: Kimberly @ Raising Olives

Kimberly @ Raising Olives — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 20:45:09 +0000

I feel like this too. If it’s something the kids struggle with or something that is important to me, I don’t mind putting time into it. Isn’t that why we homeschool in the first place?

By: Debra

Debra — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 17:56:50 +0000

Your pros and cons list is fabulous! I love All About Spelling, and am about to start my 4th child in it. The time commitment is by far the biggest con, but seeing as my kids are all atrocious spellers, this is an area I feel strongly about investing my time in.

By: Kimberly @ Raising Olives

Kimberly @ Raising Olives — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 19:57:30 +0000

With All About Spelling, you always begin with level 1. He will move through very quickly and probably already knows how to spell all of the level 1 words, but it will teach him why to spell them the way he does.

I think this is great if you want him to learn the why behind spelling. It will probably help him tremendously and when he’s finished you could run your other kids through.

By: Kimberly @ Raising Olives

Kimberly @ Raising Olives — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 19:37:17 +0000

Do you multi-grade at all with AAS? Do you need a separate student pack for each child?

By: mommytomy2+2

mommytomy2+2 — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 13:26:07 +0000

I just have to agree that I love this way of spelling. When my daughter was in second grade her teacher taught this method on top of the required spelling unit. My daughter’s teacher called it the sounds of spelling. Anyway I am thinking of buying the program so I can supplement my other children’s spelling, as foster parents we can not homeschool our foster children or I would just use this method.

By: MomStarr

MomStarr — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 17:23:56 +0000

My 8 year old boy has a terrible time with spelling. Dictation is brutal for him. Would I start him on level 1 or go to a higher level? I have been asking around about good spelling programs to help him. My two older ones are doing fine on their own with spelling but this one is struggling more. I don’t want to just hope he figures it out along the way. I feel he needs some one on one work in this area. What do you think?

By: Michelle

Michelle — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 21:14:20 +0000

We began using this program a year ago, and are still loving it! And I have seen improvements in my children’s spelling as well as their attitudes about doing spelling lessons. I had also seen or used several other spelling programs, and since I have used this one I have not felt the need to try any others! My older children love it, and I believe the younger ones will love it when I use it with them.