Spelling Lists in Beyond

[skwmackey]

Our six year old has been enjoying Beyond this year and most things have come very easy for him except handwriting. Anyway, the spelling lists are starting to require effort on his part. What do you do when the words aren't quite mastered by day 4? I am thinking about just using that same list the following week until they are mastered. I think one more week of working on them would help. Any other ideas?

[Carrie]

Stephanie,

I'm so glad that you and your son are getting a chance to use and enjoy Beyond! In answer to your question, it isn't uncommon for kiddos to have words that they don't master on the week that the words are introduced to them in the spelling list. Often, mastery is a process that takes time. So, at this stage I would just encourage you to move forward with the lists as they are in the plans and not carry over any words from previous weeks. This is because over time, you will get too many words each week to go over and the lessons will drag on, making it difficult for the child to focus on the new words each week.

Beyond reviews words from previous units periodically throughout the guide, so your son will get the words from previous units again. We've often found that on review weeks, the words that were previously troublesome are much better. If not, we've found that the following year in Bigger Hearts the words are more fixed in the child's mind, and the child knows them better at that point.

Often, once a child has more writing and copywork to do, the words that didn't come naturally to a child are finally learned. studied dictation can also make a huge difference in fixing the correct spelling of a word in one's mind. More writing and studied dictation take place in the guides from Bigger Hearts on up. Since carryover to written work is the ultimate goal of learning to spell correctly, it can take time before the needed bank of words are truly fixed in a child's mind. Thankfully, CM style skills lend themselves very well to this process and that is what you'll find in our guides.

Blessings,
Carrie

[skwmackey]

Carrie,
Thank you so much for your insight. I will continue with the lists given each week and not worry about practicing them until they are perfect during that one week. The perfectionist in me will learn to let it go. Thanks again!

Stephanie

[mommadonna]

My sister, who's son was struggling with spelling, started using Spellingcity.com. I have no experience with it personally, but my newphew showed great improvement. I think it was fun for him also! HTH!

Blessings!