A plug for dictation...

[4froggies]

Just wanted to share with others how happy I am using dictation for our spelling. I was worried at first about using only dictation for spelling, instead of a "formal" program, especially since it has never been a natural subject for my dd. However, I am so pleased with her spelling lately.

The other day, she wrote her narration for history and correctly spelled 2 or 3 words that just happened to be words we had done in dictation that week. So, the spelling is carrying over into "real" writing, which is actually the real reason for spelling, right???

Just wanted to share with everyone and encourage others who might be on the fence about dictation.

[striving2Bprov31]

Thanks for sharing that!! We aren't very far into our school year yet, and I have been eager to see how dictation would work. My 9.5 yo daughter is doing dictation. When I first learned about it this past spring I thought, "What? How in the world can that work??" It is so funny how Charlotte Mason methods are so far from our "traditional" mindset. I have had fun explaining this to people when they say, "You use poetry and prose to learn spelling?" or "You don't use history and science textbooks?" I love it... Thanks again!

Happy homeschool to you,

Liz

[Tabitha]

Yay, I like hearing this.

I am using Preparing for my 10 yo this year, and it's the first time we're trying dictation for spelling. So far so good. However, I finding her short term memory isn't so hot. She leaves out a few words more than misspells. This is gonna help her in more ways that one, that's for sure.

[StillJulie]

We're enjoying dictation too.

I do have 4th grade Rod & Staff spelling that I've been having my daughter do, too - just b/c it's started and we already paid for it. I didn't buy the 5th grade, though, so I think when she finishes this book, we'll do only dictation.

[my3sons]

Thanks for sharing this! We've found the same to be true here. Dictation has helped improve my ds's spelling more than anything else we've done. As a previous user of Spelling Power and R & S Spelling - I've moved away from those and found my new home with dictation. It's been a good move for us!

In Christ,
Julie

[Carrie]

4froggies,

Thanks for the update! I had a hard time moving to dictation as our spelling "program" too but have also been very pleased with the results. My boys have carried the spelling over into their daily writing also and write very well within their written narrations and other assignments. The more years we do studied dictation the more sold I am on it as an excellent spelling methodology.

Blessings,
Carrie