Spelling

[Bramble]

Will HOD's way of teaching spelling work well for a child who says "I know this isn't spelled right because it doesn't look right." How do you determine which list to start with so it is not too easy or too hard?

[my3sons]

... "I know this isn't spelled right because it doesn't look right."...

You have just described the exact thinking behind the CM style of spelling! I would start with the first list if you think your child would need 2 years of spelling lists, or start with List 2 if you would anticipate your child would be ready for dictation next year. This may be more than you were asking for, but here is a portion of a past post where I described CM style of spelling:

... I know we probably all grew up doing spelling lists, by studying them and taking a test, but the way the plans are written in the HOD guide is totally different. It applies the idea of the mind being like a camera taking a "picture" of the word each time it sees it.

So, Day 1 always has them look at one word written in black on an index card. Study it, and when child says he is ready, take the card away and child writes just that one word on his marker board. If he misses it, right away, erase it and show him the card again (to erase that incorrect "picture" in his mind immediately), and when he says he is ready, take the card away until he writes it correctly. I'd be sure to only do List 1 with dd too - not List 2 - I know some moms who have done both lists at the same time - this not necessary unless that is something a family has as a personal goal for some reason. Then, Day 2's spelling has you just saying the word, using it in a sentence. The child tries to write the word from memory, but if they miss it, erase it immediately to erase the incorrect "picture" and show him the index card, allowing him to study it as he did on Day 1 and then write it. On Day 3, you only pick 3 words the child needs to practice the most. One word at a time, the child should use the word in a sentence orally, as you write the sentence on markerboard for them. Then, the child looks at the markerboard to copy the sentence on paper. You help the child correct any mistakes then. Finally, on Day 4, you say the word, use it in a sentence, and child tries to write it correctly. This time, if it is missed, erase it, and show the child the index card again. Have them fix it on their paper, and while looking at the index card, do the activity to review missed words (it rotates each week).

So, really, in all of this, there is not a time where the child is failing spelling because it's more of a team effort between parent and child to work on a method of spelling, rather than a child studying a list and taking a test at the end. I say all of this as much for other moms who may be new to this method of spelling, and may be thinking of spelling lists being done in the more traditional way. Finally, this method of spelling provides an important foundation for dictation the following year. You can see the using it in a sentence, copywork of sentences, studying a word and having it taken away then, fixing errors, etc. all prepare dc to do dictation the following year.

It will click when those inaccurate pictures of words are erased from a child's mind and are replaced with correct pictures because he has seen it correctly spelled so many times (hence the copywork part of it as well) rather than seeing it incorrectly so many times without it being erased...

Here is a link to dictation samples, in case that is helpful:
Dictation Samples:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1221
CTC Level 5 Dictation Sample:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=5068&p=37153#p37153

HTH!
In Christ,
Julie

[moedertje]

You and your dc will love spelling the HOD way and it will not become a struggle.

I absolutely love it when Julie and Carrie explain the how's and why's behind the way things are done. It all clicks and makes sense. I love this board and am so thankful that we are guided so well and with such wisdom
I am also glad that God's grace is there for our older children as we try to figure things out ourselves and than run into posts from these two wonderful ladies that ease us back to doing the lessons as prescribed in the guide and getting it right the next time around.

[mom24boys]

I am so glad you asked this question so that I could learn the answer too! I didn't know the whys behind the spelling and that it was prep work for dictation. Yay that there is a dual purpose!

I am a little worried that some of the lists would be too easy. Four days of the same words (when they are easy) seems a little much. Ideas? Maybe just do Day 2 and Day 4? If so, do I just go through the lists faster or just not have spelling on Day 1 and Day 3? (Day 5 is something else which he needs to learn or reinforce.) Is there a problem speeding up the spelling?

Thanks for any input!

[my3sons]

I am so glad you asked this question so that I could learn the answer too! I didn't know the whys behind the spelling and that it was prep work for dictation. Yay that there is a dual purpose!

I am a little worried that some of the lists would be too easy. Four days of the same words (when they are easy) seems a little much. Ideas? Maybe just do Day 2 and Day 4? If so, do I just go through the lists faster or just not have spelling on Day 1 and Day 3? (Day 5 is something else which he needs to learn or reinforce.) Is there a problem speeding up the spelling?

Thanks for any input!

My middle ds was a natural speller, so we just did the second list along with all of the HOD plans in the LA box when he did Beyond. I would just do that (and not do List 1 then) and really focus on doing each of the day's plans in Beyond to lay down an excellent foundation for dictation next year. Each step is excellent preparation for the routine of dictation the following year, so even if a few of the steps are easier, they are important to do. For example, though my ds knew the words save for a word now and then on the first day, the idea of studying the card, turning it over and writing it from memory as I said it, helped him the next year study the dictation passage, turn it over and write it from memory as I said it. Likewise, the using the word in sentences, first with my modeling, and then with him constructing the sentences helped prepare him for the sentences in dictation he'd be writing in Bigger Hearts (as well as preparing him for the copywork - even within the notebooking - etc. in Bigger Hearts too). A good portion of the year in Beyond, my ds needed to be reminded to begin his spelling word sentences with capital letters and end them with correct punctuation. I was thankful he had this down by the time he began dictation. I wouldn't speed through the spelling for these reasons. But, if your ds already consistently writes short to medium length sentences well without errors, with proper spelling, capitalization, and punctuation, then I'd get the Bigger Hearts manual and begin Level 2 dictation with him. Dictation is harder than it looks though - I'd be more inclined to do the second spelling list along with Beyond first, and if a few days are easier for him, no worries - at least overall it would prepare him for a solid start in dictation. HTH as you consider what's best for your sweetie!

In Christ,
Julie

[mom24boys]

Thanks so much Julie! We'll go with list two and see how it goes. I like the idea of easing into dictation in this manner. I'm hoping he'll just enjoy the success of the easy spelling words.