Quick Spelling Question ...

[Heart_Mom]

Hi!

My 8 year old daughter (finishing 2nd grade) is about to start Unit 25 of the Spelling lists in Beyond. We've done both List One and List Two all the way up to Unit 25. (We did this because we started with List 2 originally, but then as we went along I realized that she didn't know some of the List 1 words, so I added them in.)

I'm going to continue with this spelling, but I'm not sure which option makes sense:

1. Do List 1 until the end, then go back and do List 2 starting at Unit 25.
2. Proceed this way: Unit 25 List 1, then the next week Unit 25 List 2, then Unit 26 List 1, then Unit 26 List 2, etc.
3. Do Unit 25 (both lists), then move on to Unit 26 (both lists), etc. She's a pretty natural speller and could probably do this. My only reluctance is the time it might add on to the day.

So, what would you do?

I think she's going to LOVE dictation once we get there!

Thanks!

[Kathleen]

If I were you, I'd finish all of spelling list 1, and then go back and do list 2. I'd only do the lists that are for both 1 and 2 once, though. And, I'd be sure to follow the spelling plans listed in the LA box exactly and not skip anything. I've come to think of spelling instruction much differently after moving to a more CM approach to the subject and gaining some wisdom from Carrie & Julie here. Here is one post by Carrie where she shares just a bit with another mom about what to do with spelling with her child who seemed to already "know" the words...

Next, as far as the spelling lists go, if you have a natural speller praise the Lord for it! It is a true gift! With that being said, the goal of the spelling lists in Beyond is to make sure that your child has the frequently used words that are contained in List 1 and 2 clearly memorized. These will be needed as your child heads into studied dictation. My own kiddos rarely missed a word on the lists all year, yet I was glad we went through them as we headed into studied dictation the next year. Another goal of the spelling lists in Beyond is to train kiddos to visualize a word in their mind. This is a very important skill to practice prior to studied dictation. Last, Beyond also helps a child learn some basic grammar, punctuation, usage, etc. that is also necessary prior to studied dictation. So, I wouldn't rush ahead in spelling but enjoy the year spent practicing needed skills. Knowing the words is just one part of the overall plan within Beyond. It is truly the process that is more important than the test. We are looking at spelling in a much different way.

Here's the whole thread where this quote is from:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=7306&p=53445#p53445

Kathleen

[Heart_Mom]

Thank you so much for your help, ladies!

I think I may just finish out List One, then go back and finish List 2. We are covering grammar in another way, so I'll need to decide whether or not to do the Day 5 gentle grammar activities. But I will certainly follow the Day 1-4 plans for the spelling lists.

Thanks again!

[my3sons]

...I think I may just finish out List One, then go back and finish List 2... But I will certainly follow the Day 1-4 plans for the spelling lists.

Thanks again!

I think you have a good plan here, Hear_Mom! This should really prepare dd well for dictation too.
In Christ,
Julie

[my3sons]

As some of these topics came up in this thread, I thought I'd link these great posts by Carrie - they are full of such wise thoughts...

Spelling retention – why not to pretest – 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

Just thought these threads would be good reading! I know I would have loved to read this when I first started out with spelling and then dictation in HOD, as the purpose of dictation and the manner in which it was done was then a mystery to me.

In Christ,
Julie

[Heart_Mom]

As some of these topics came up in this thread, I thought I'd link these great posts by Carrie - they are full of such wise thoughts...

Spelling retention – why not to pretest – 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

Just thought these threads would be good reading! I know I would have loved to read this when I first started out with spelling and then dictation in HOD, as the purpose of dictation and the manner in which it was done was then a mystery to me.

In Christ,
Julie

Thank you so much for posting these, Julie!