New Approach To Spelling

Posted by Cindy on August 16, 2007

Mahayla pretty much learned to read without my help.  By 1st grade, she was reading chapter books.  So I didn’t feel the need to back up and teach phonics rules when she was intrisically figuring it all out.  We did use Spelling Workout for two and a half years which taught many spelling rules, but she hated the repitition of the same words day after day.  By Friday, test day, she would easily make 100%, but wasn’t always transferring the spelling rules into other words.

Fast forward to this year.  There are a few spelling mistakes that I have watched her make over and over again – even after talking about them.  So, I decided daily spelling instruction needed to be put back on the curriculum schedule.  I wanted to do something that really taught the rules this time.  Something that would help her to use the rule to spell any word – not just the 20 or 30 for a test.

I decided to use Spelling Works! (Grades 4-8) from Scholastic.  The lessons cover spelling rules using all kinds of words – there is no word list.  Each day, Mahayla completes a lesson where she has to use the rule in a variety of ways.  By Friday, test day, I give her 20 or 30 words that follow the rule.  She may or may not have seen the words through the week, but if she learned the rule she should still be able to make 100%.

I’m after an understanding of spelling rather than memorizing a set list.  I’ve already seen a big improvement in everyday spelling on the words that follow the rules we’ve covered so far.  That puts a big smile on my face and has given her more confidence in her writing!

Miller Stories

Posted by Cindy on June 6, 2007

My children pulled all the Miller’s books out again the other day.  I can’t tell you how much we’ve enjoyed these books!

From the time they were preschoolers and we started reading Storytime With the Millers, my children have intently listened to and learned from the stories.  I think they’re so good, in fact, that they were read during devotion time usually.

Even though the books come from a very conservative Amish-Mennonite perspective, I found them to be very useful in teaching topics like trusting God, manners, friendship, obedience, respect, forgiveness, self-sacrifice and much, much more!  Each story centers around a Bible verse and that verse is used at some point within the story.  Many of the stories are full of some excitement, too.  That helps to keep my son’s attention!

Choosing a favorite is hard, but I would probably choose Missionary Stories with the Millers as my personal favorite.  This book is just full of the true adventure stories of actual missionaries.  Some I had heard of, some I  hadn’t.  I have read other reviews that said the stories in this book were a little too much for their younger children, but mine had no problems it.  Be warned, though, that the real stories of missionaries aren’t always smily, joyful stories.  But in each, God’s faithfulness and care shine through!!