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We started my oldest using HOD in Preparing when he was 10. The foundation that I laid in phonics and spelling was poor, and at that point in HOD's guides, spelling isn't specifically taught. We've used dictation and rewriting trouble words, but still he just does NOT GET IT. So, I'd love some suggestions for spelling. Honestly, I just thought it would click with him one day. He's been reading so much since we started HOD (thanks Carrie!!!), that I thought the spelling would catch up too.

I've been looking at Phonetic Zoo by IEW. My friend loved it, but it didn't work for her one child that is like my oldest. I've also thought of spelling power. Do you ladies have any suggestions? Thanks.

Sent you a pm.

I couldn't decide between phonetic zoo or all about spelling for my 11 year old and again nothing was working. and even to do a dictation or writing was painful because 80% was mispelled. and then when her younger sister who was 6 was spelling at nearly the same level ( with no spelling practice) i knew i had to do something!

For my dd she had not had very much formal phonics, just enough to get her reading, and she is a very advanced reader, so that played into my decision, feeling that she seemed to lacking the basic of rules.

I chose AAS and it was the best investment ever! She cruised through level 1 in 6 weeks and her spelling improved to only 50% mispelled. then i ordered level 2 and she has went through half of that in the next 6-8 weeks and now her spelling is about 30% mispelled... and at least now i can understand why she is mispelling the words instead of it seeming so random! and since i had to go through it with her i know what "rules" to hold her accountable and not worry about what she hasn't been taught yet. She doesn't use the spelling tiles as dirrected, she doesn't need to use the tiles for every word first, but we use the tiles for the rules- for the visual element. we also don't review quite as much as stated, but still consistently. the teachers manual is so simple and step by step. Im even using this with my 6 year old and it's going very well! it covers phonics and spelling together.

you could consider adding/using spelling plus, along with their dictation resource book. it cover's the 1,000 most frequently spelled words - which supposedly make up 90% of our written language. it only goes through 6th grade, but since you need remedial, i think it would be a great place to start. i also love that the spelling lists are constantly reviewed again and again via dictation. the spelling plus book also covers rules. we love it, and it was very affordable. i found it at rainbow resource, but you could get it anywhere. i highly recommend the dictation book as well, as we use that as our main spelling book. hth.