4Real Forums: CHC Spelling or AAS???

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Topic: CHC Spelling or AAS???

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MNMommy
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Joined: Feb 24 2009
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Posted: Dec 04 2009 at 8:23pm \| IP Logged

My 2nd grader is asking for spelling, so I guess she thinks she's ready for it.

I am torn between a program like AAS and a gentle workbook like CHC. Here are my thoughts:

1) I'm not sure dd needs a whole program. She seems to remember how to spell once the spelling is put into her brain.

2) I like the idea of having some semi-independent work for her since everything else we use is teacher intensive - RightStart, FIAR, WWE, F&L.

3) My 5yo is starting to write phonetically, and I am wondering if he would enjoy working on spelling too. He gets frustrated when I can't read his notes.

4) We use Reading Made Easy to teach how to read, and I am worried that they don't have strong phonics backgrounds. They both respond fabulously to RME, but should I now use a strong phonics based spelling program?

5) Maybe I need to use copywork/dictation for informal spelling? Hmmmmm....Maybe I need to beef up what we already do. But, how do you explain why we spell "bean" with an "ea" intead of "ee?" That's when my confidence breaks down.

Thanks for sharing your wisdom.

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Jennifer
Tired mom to - 10yo dd, 7yo ds, 6yo ds, 4yo dd, 2yo ds

ekbell
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Joined: May 22 2009
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Posted: Dec 04 2009 at 10:08pm \| IP Logged

My children enjoy the CHC spelling workbooks and they are very easy to work through independently (all I normally end up doing are the actual spelling quizzes).

I'd rather do a less formal program based on the words they've shown a need to learn but I'm not going to stop something they like which works for them.

With your five year old, I'd be more inclined to build up a spelling list (or dictionary notebook) that he could consult but CHC's speller for grade one is nice and gentle (no spelling tests)

My answer to why things are spelled the way they are 'it's to make life more difficult', longer answer strange spelling are because language changes over time, pronunciation faster then spelling AND english has picked up a lot of weird things from other languages. However, there *are* patterns that make it easier to remember how to spell a word and it's worth learning them.

Paula in MN
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Joined: Nov 25 2006
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Posted: Dec 05 2009 at 10:49am \| IP Logged

I'm going to agree with ekbell here - CHC workbooks are easy and great for independent learners. I don't necessarily agree with all the words they use, but overall it is a good way to start and very cost-effective.

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Paula
A Catholic Harvest

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