Question about Beyond Spelling - level change?

[arstephia]

We are on unit 17 in Beyond with dd7 and have been doing Spelling List 1, which was the appropriate level back in August when we started. We are almost done with the Emerging Readers - will be done next week- and now that my dd has her reading well under control and is really excelling at it, her spelling has also been exceptional. The last several units of spelling have been words she could spell immediately and correctly, so the activities are not helpful. I have even "pre-tested" her on some of the upcoming unit lists and she knows them without error. I know she should move to List 2 now, but should I have her start back at Unit 1 List 2 words and work though them or should I start with List 2 of the Unit we are currently in? Thanks!

[3sweeties]

YAY for your daughter!!! I would start with Unit 2 List 1 and see how she does. If she can spell them easily, then I would just keep skipping forward(pre-testing) until there are some she has trouble with. I did work all the way through the last spelling list in Bigger with my oldest DS before we started Dictation, even though he was able to easily spell most of them. It was a good review for him and I am glad we did it before jumping into Dictation! HTH a little!!!

[MelInKansas]

We did the opposite, we switched from List 2 to List 1 about week 14.

I would say maybe speed up how you are going through them, but still go through the rest of List 1 and then go back to List 2 Unit 1. Obviously you've noticed there are some unusual (not phonetic) words in each group and you will want to make sure she has those covered with some practice at least.

Have you tried List 2 in the Unit you are currently in? They are a LOT harder. Unit 1 List 2 isn't that hard, probably up to about Unit 10 they are only slightly longer words. But the ones going on up are much harder, at least they were for my DD. I would recommend more time to grow into those.

[my3sons]

As you consider how to proceed with your dd, keep in mind that the activities that go along with the spelling are just as important as knowing the words in isolation. The HOD follow-up activities teach dc the skills to be prepared for dictation. One of the harder preparations for future dictation is Day 3 of the spelling plans. How does your dd do with writing 3 sentences with her words on Day 3? If she is unable to do this, I'd finish out List 1, and work on honing those skills. If she easily does this, I'd start with Unit 1 of List 2. It is important to do at least 1 complete year of spelling, so I'd be sure and start with Unit 1 if you move her to List 2. Keep in mind she will need to be ready to move right into Dictation Level 2, which is in Bigger Heart's Appendix, whenever she completes all of Spelling List 2. This will require her to study the dictation passage, and then be able to write those 1-2 sentences without looking at any model as she writes them for help, as you say them a phrase at a time. Quite difficult, really! Here are a few links that discuss this further...

Why to do the spelling even if dc are good spellers, by Carrie:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=7415&p=54282#p54282

Why HOD does spelling lists before dictation, by Carrie:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=10388

HTH as you consider what to do next. I'm glad you are blessed with a good speller - that truly helps our dc so much - and us moms too!

In Christ,
Julie