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Hello,

My son will be using Bigger this year and he is a bright boy. He can spell basic words and he understands how to structure a sentence with correct punctuation, etc. I am debating on whether to use the provided spelling lists/dictation passages this year with him in "Bigger" or use All About Spelling. I realize HOD uses the CM method of spelling/studied dictation and I like that idea. But then I read all of the really great reviews about AAS and how successful it is that I wonder if I should try that.

We own AAS level 1. So far, it is a lot of review for my son. I realize it is starting from the very beginning and it gets more difficult as it progresses. I'm fine with starting him from the beginning and progressing through the program at our pace. We haven't used it long enough to where I can get a good feel for the long term results.

A part of me feels like I want to go with HOD's spelling methods as we follow so many of CM's "ways." Although, AAS REALLY breaks down on the "how to" of spelling words. Just not sure if that is totally necessary as spelling (as with reading) comes with continued practice and exposure. I find myself sort of dreading pulling out AAS and doing the lessons.

Have any "veteran" HOD users stuck with the HOD spelling lists/dictation passes and have seen great success in their child's spelling ability? I think spelling is one of those things that improves with age/time. I'm just curious to know how many have had positive results with approaching spelling the CM way like HOD suggests vs. something like AAS which breaks spelling down in such bit-sized "chunks."

Thank you for your help!

My kids have never done anything other than HOD and they can spell just fine... I"d say above age level for all of them. The biggest thing is that the oldest (not quite halfway through Preparing) can tell when something "looks wrong"

There will be a lot of varied opinions here. Die hard Charlotte Masoners will go with dictation only. I was never comfortable with that. I have chosen to do AAS (All About Spelling) with mine, and I think it has been successful.

It is really up to what you are comfortable with. ; )

We used AAS for first grade with my daughter. She completed level 1. I thought all the rules and everything were pretty neat, but my daughter HATED it, and perhaps consequently it was quite time consuming for us. We completed all of AAS level 1 and then moved to HOD spelling list 2 (we skipped the first few weeks of list 2 because she already knew those words). She liked the HOD spelling much better. As far as spelling ability, she didn't really take off until we hit dictation second semester of grade two. She is almost finished with the first level of dictation now, and I am amazed at how much her spelling has improved. She doesn't like dictation - she would tell you it is her least favorite part of her school day, but we are done in ten minutes or less each day.

For my second daughter I intend to do only HOD spelling.

You can check out this link for another thread on this topic:

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=11844&p=85870&hilit ... ion#p85718

HTH

If you do AAS "by the book", the lesson is long. I shorten the lessons A LOT. Once I see they have the concept down, we stop. For the writing portion, I only have them write one dictated sentence. I think they just need to show mastery of the rules and concepts.

I have seen great success with HOD's spelling in both my sons. My oldest ds had several years of speech therapy early on due to being born prematurely. Spelling was not his thing. He has worked through HOD's spelling lists and Levels 2-6 of dictation. His standardized test scores have steadily increased from being very below average to above average over the past 6 years. What I care the most about though, is that his spelling errors within his own writing have improved immeasurably! It truly has been miraculous - he rarely makes errors. I credit the improvements completely to HOD's methods of spelling/dictation.

My middle ds, on the other hand, is a natural speller. He has moved through HOD's spelling lists and Dictation Level 2 seemingly effortlessly, until Level 3. He needs to study the passages more carefully now, and that has improved his spelling too. HOD provides a steady, incremental plan for spelling improvement. It works! But it does take consistency and time. You won't see the same amazing results I have if you give dictation only a year or two. So my suggestion is to give it a try - but give it a try for at least 2 years! I think you will be so pleased with the results.

Here are some great threads about HOD's spelling/dictation that should give good food for thought...

Praise for long-term effects of dictation:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=5645&p=41374#p41374

Encouraging Dictation:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=4877
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=5558

Carrie explains CM Dictation:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=5661
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=5186
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=925

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

HTH!
In Christ,
Julie

When we first came to HOD I had a difficult time giving up the traditional spelling route. Before making my first order I did a lot of reading on the message board and decided to give spelling/dictation a try - it made sense to me - it just wasn't what I was used to. Now, both of my kids have used spelling/dictation for three years now and I have been really impressed with how it has helped them to retain what they've learned and how it has carried over into their own personal writing as well. And it only adds a few minutes to our school day! When used as directed - it really works!

Stephanie