Beyond spelling list question

[Michelle]

Hi,
My dd is now in 2nd grade and using Beyond, last year we used LHFHG for 1st grade. LHFHG had no spelling lists to do. Now in Beyond there are 2 lists, one for grade 1 and one for grade 2. Since she's not done any spelling lists ever before, should she do the list for grade 1 or since she's in grade 2 should she just skip to the grade 2 lists? Or should she do both to catch her up?
Thanks!
Michelle

[momtofive]

With the spelling lists, I'd just use whatever list seemed to fit her at her level. Try out list one for a while, and if that seems to be pretty easy for her, bump her up to list two. There really isn't a set place that she HAS to be at. Just putting her at a level where she will be challenged, but also have the chance to succeed!

I hope this could help in some way!

In Christ,

Lisa

[inHistiming]

My ds is doing Beyond...as a 2nd grader and has never had spelling before either. I just started him with the first level. Next year we will move on to list 2...and into dictation whenever he's gotten through both lists. Right now the words are easy for him and he's really enjoying spelling, which is wonderful IMO...I'm sure it will get more difficult for him as we go through but I'm happy he will have had some early 'perfect' scores. HTH

[my3sons]

The second list is also included in the next guide, "Bigger Hearts for His Glory". I'd either use List 1 or List 2 all the way through, definitely not doubling up, and definitely following all of the spelling plans in the LA box of Beyond's plans (as there are ample higher level skills there that prepare dc for what is to come). If your child often writes 3-4 letter words well on her own, I'd do list 2. If she doesn't, I do list 1. We have loved the HOD method of using spelling to prepare dc for CM's dictation. I think you will too!

In Christ,
Julie

[HappyMama]

My 2nd grader is also doing Beyond this year after doing LHFHG last year for 1st grade. I went ahead and skipped spelling List 1 so he's doing List 2 for spelling this year. It's going great and he's not struggling at all with doing 2nd grade spelling words even though he didn't have spelling last year. HTH!

[Michelle]

Well, this first week we did do both lists. When she had to write the words without looking at them first, she did better with the 2nd grade list than the 1st grade list. Still not sure what to do. I feel like if I skip list 1, she will have missed some foundational words, but I still don't want her to be behind either. Guess time will tell what list she should do, but I'd still be interested in more ideas on what others have done in this position!
Thanks!
Michelle

[my3sons]

If she missed some words on list 1, I'd be inclined to go with that. Actually what's more important than the list chosen is doing all of the LA box plan of instructions in the HOD guide. That's really what increases correct spelling within writing and paves the road for dictation - if that can lessen the weight of the list decision a tad.

In Christ,
Julie

[Carrie]

Michelle,

If your daughter has not had any formal spelling thus far, I would be inclined to use List 1 with her this year. Then the following year, I would use List 2. The spelling lessons are meant to get kiddos picturing the words in their minds, so the years of spelling practice are honestly as much about developing that skill as they are about actually teaching kiddos how to spell the words.

I think it helps to have two years of the spelling lists prior to heading into studied dictation, just to also be sure that your child knows the frequently used words that are on the first two lists. My second son missed only a couple of words all year when he did List 1 and the same was true the following year when he did List 2. It was great review, and he remains an excellent speller today as he heads into grade 6.

That just happens to be my philosophy on spelling, but yours may differ. Do what you think is best!

Blessings,
Carrie