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....has the spelling to prove it! Should I have my almost 9yo run through a phonics program? I started MFW K w/her when she was 4 (before we found HOD) only to find she could already read We haven't done any phonics, yet she isn't sight reading. She can sound things out so long as there's no weird phonics involved, but she can't spell well at all. She placed in the 4th/5th grade level of every spelling program out there including Spelling Power when she was 6 or 7...but can't spell "in real life".

What do you recommend I do? She's doing well in dictation and we will continue you that. I am seeing some crossover there. I still wonder if phonics would be good for her.

My ds9 is just like this. He learned to read on his own, without any instruction. He just sort of "knew" the rules already. As for spelling...well...not so great. I am using The Phonics Road to Spelling and Reading. It is a pricey program, but it is awesome and very effective. It is rules-based. We are using it for just spelling right now. There are 4 levels and each level gets into more and more. Level 2 has lit study, grammar, writing, dictation, etc. I am so glad I happened upon this program after using all sorts of spelling programs to no avail.