Spelling Wisdom from Simply Charlotte Mason is just such a program and I am so glad that I can use it with my boys in high school. This program uses quotes from famous authors, Bible scriptures, speeches, poems, and letters incorporating the 6,000 most commonly used words in English. These selections are the basis for copywork or prepared dictation as outlined by Charlotte Mason. What an interesting way to work on spelling, punctuation, and capitalization!
I have found the Spelling Wisdom program to be a great tool that helps me hone my son's skills as part of a Charlotte Mason style high school. We used Book Four starting when my boys were in 8th and 9th grades and it was a perfect fit. Mr. B will soon be using Book Five.
For younger students, you can click over to the Simply Charlotte Mason website to view all the levels of Spelling Wisdom available. The author of the program, Sonya Shafer, suggests waiting until your student is age 10 before starting work with spelling as outlined in the Charlotte Mason volumes. Our family was not introduced to Charlotte Mason's methods until middle school so we jumped in with Spelling Wisdom at a level that fit our ages.
Spelling Wisdom in Our High School Plans
Basis for Copywork: Using Spelling Wisdom, the selections were all gathered together so I could pick one and assign it for the week. At this level, the quotes are sometimes quite long and for my sons it might take a couple of sessions to get the selection written carefully and neatly into their notebook. Each selection using wonderful examples served as a model to imprint proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation. (We were sometimes introduced to a new author or poet and this led to further reading...added bonus.)
Dictation as a Tool: I learned from using the selections as the basis of our dictation work that there were areas that we needed to refresh and to make more solid as far as punctuation, spelling, and capitalization. Using the selections from Spelling Wisdom gave me a way to see how my high school age sons were applying the rules of grammar, spelling, and punctuation in a more natural setting. No more workbooks.
Composition Built on Great Quotes: This is where I took the selections from Spelling Wisdom and made them really shine. I loved using them as the jumping off point or story starter for Mr. B's creative writing assignments last year. I would find a quote that I liked and then have him continue the story or rewrite the quote in a different style. For instance, perhaps the quote was a conversation. I would have Mr. B continue the conversation giving him more practice using proper punctuation and giving him a tickler to start a creative writing assignment. Another assignment I gave was to take a selection from Spelling Wisdom and have him rewrite it in the style of a different author like Poe, Twain, or Dickins. There is no end to the ways you could use all the wonderful selections that are included in Spelling Wisdom.
Each book in the series has 140 quotes and it is suggested that you cover two quotes a week, making each volume last about two years. In our family, we use one quote a week as part of copywork and dictation. I assign the quote, they copy it over the course of the week into a composition notebook, and then on Friday at our weekly meeting I give the quote as dictation, either in full or in part.
I highly recommend the Spelling Wisdom program for all ages of children but I especially found it helpful in providing quality dictation selections for my high school age sons. It has been a staple of our high school English plans and I love that I can pull it up on the computer in a matter of seconds, pick the quote I want to work on, print it out, and hand it to Mr. B. It can't get any simpler than that.
Sonya Shafer has generously offered to give two copies of Spelling Wisdom (your choice of levels) to my readers! This is the perfect opportunity to See the details below to enter. (First time I am using Rafflecopter so bear with me if there are issues.) I will pick two winners who will each receive one copy of their choice of Spelling Wisdom.
76 comments:
We have and use Spelling Wisdom book 1, and I really like the method. I would like to win 2 copies! Thanks for the chance!
Sounds like a great program! Spelling has always been my nemesis, so I would love a chance to win this :).
Oh my! I have never seen this and this is exactly exactly what I was describing to some friends this past week as to what I need. I was literally going to start writing something like this myself. Thank you for saving me that time!!!! Thanks for this great chance!!!! I have really enjoyed reading your blog too btw ;)
So glad to read your rave reviews. This is on my plan to start next year, so I'd love to win!!!
I'm currently using R&S Spelling with my 7th grade and a separate copywork program. I'd love to find something that combined the two.
We use All About Spelling.
Currently we are using Sequential Spelling.
I currently use Sequential Spelling. Interested in a new method!
Spelling seems to be a frustration in our home. Still trying to find the right program. We just started using Sequential Spelling this year with the younger children. This sounds great for my highschool son.
Oh, I'd love to win a copy of this- I just did a SCM order, and debated on it. Right now we do spelling kind of haphazardly. Sometimes I use Sandy Queen's Learn Spelling through Copywork.
We currently use Spelling Power. This is the first time I have heard about Spelling Wisdom. I am very interested:-)
We have tried several programs though the years. My daughter is great at Spelling but my son struggles. Spelling is the one program we are still seeking. At the moment I'm just going though and helping him to correct any words he misspells. I have been considering the Spelling Wisdom as this is our first year beginning CM type studies.
I have wanted to try this for quite awhile...having a hard time letting go of the workbook way for spelling, so would love to try this! Thank you, Barb!
I just downloaded the sample lessons and this looks like a wonderful program! I would love a chance to win. I think we would need to start in Book 2. Thanks!
I would love to win it to be able to try this. I have 2 girls-middle and high school ages, who would benefit from it. Thanks for the opportunity.
We have the lower level of Spelling Wisdom and liked using it. At the moment, we are using Phonetic Zoo to learn/reinforce some more spelling rules, but when we get through this, I plan to go back to copywork/dictation again. Thanks for the review using this in the high school level. Very helpful!
I've used dictation with my oldest daughter in the past and liked it.
My son is finishing All About Spelling soon (the fourth level), and I had just decided I would do dictation with him instead of another level of AAS--it would be wonderful to have a copy of Spelling Wisdom.
~Sarah H.
I'm using Spelling Wisdom 1 with my dd (age 10) and love it! I'd love a chance to win the next level!
Would love to win this. I have 5 children, 8 years old and under and we love the Charlotte Mason way. Thanks.
We would love to twin this. We have 5 children 8 years old and under and we love the Charlotte Mason way. Thanks!
Right now I use All About Spelling for my boys (elementary age), but I love the idea of continuing copywork and dictation (which we also do) through high school to shore up their skills.
I'm currently floundering a bit with dictation for my dd10. This is just what we need!
We have used Spelling Wisdom a few years back, but last year switched to Rod and Staff 8.I would love to use the upper level Spelling Wisdom going into HS.Thanks for the chance :}
We use wordly wise and Barrons 1100 words and then do a spelling test.
We haven't really done any spelling curriculm as we are new to the CM way and have moved a lot both in curriculms and physical locations so now were are in HUGE need, but low funds! Would love to give this a try. Thanks for the chance!
I would love to win this! My oldest daughter has a real problem with spelling.
ljbourque at gmail dot com
Right now we're using the old fashioned spelling list method but I've always been intrigued by Spelling Wisdom. I'd love a chance to try it out!
Tina
We are just starting out in spelling with a second grader. I haven't really decided what to use for spelling yet. This would be great to win!
We use a lot of dictation along with Spelling Plus for my oldest and Wheeler's Spelling for my youngest. I have been eyeing the Spelling Wisdom books and hope to win!
I am so excited to find another spelling plan based on Charlotte Mason-to win these would benefit my children tremendously. Thank you!
We currently use Spelling City.com for our spelling curriculum.
I have been eyeing this for several years. My ds starts third grade next year and I hope to start using this with him. Thanks for the great review and thanks for the give away! How fun!
We use copywork for spelling and also Spelling Power. I try not to allow my son to write a word incorrectly. He can ask me anytime how to spell a word, though usually he knows and just wants to be certain before writing it.
For dictation, I have him copy it every day for five days and on the fifth day I dictate to him. This is working quite well.
We use copywork and Spelling Power to teach spelling. When we do dictation, I have him copy it for five days and then on the fifth day I dictate to him. This has been the most effective way for my son to learn to spell.
We have All About Spelling (Levels One and Two) on our shelves, but have yet to actually use them. My children are only 7 and 8, though, so according to Charlotte Mason, we are on target. We are currently learning spelling via reading (aloud and quietly) great literature, copywork and Momma answering when they ask how to spell certain things as they write. We would LOVE to get a copy of this great product from SCM. I've yet to encounter anything from SCM that wasn't amazing!
Many blessings,
Melissa
www.irienarrowpath.blogspot.com
We just use copywork and dictation, and so far we have had good spellers. I have long been wanting to use Spelling Wisdom though!
We're using Level 1 this year for the first time and we love it! Level 2 would be nice for the future. ~ Lanaya
This sounds very interesting! I have been pretty relaxed about spelling in our homeschool but need to step it up a notch. I love that quality quotes and dictation are used for teaching.
We use CHC spelling, reading, and writing, as well as everyday conversation as spelling curriculum.
I am super excited about this giveaway! I'd love to be entered and try this terrific sounding spelling program.
Thanks!
I have a second and fourth grader. I used different things then I gave up and stopped using anything. There spelling scores went up- go figure!
I used several things for my second and fourth grader. I finally gave up and not using anything. There spelling scores went up - go figure!
Hi - I'm not teaching spelling at all! We are in our second year of homeschool, and dd10 is in fifth grade. She learned phonics at Lutheran school and does pretty well with spelling. We tried Sequential Spelling and it was not for us...I clicked over to the website and WOW! We would love to win this!
I have been using sequential spelling but did buy Spelling Wisdom one ebook edition but have not printed it out. I just started using Charlotte Mason methods this year in History and Science. Spelling Wisdom will help me move into the English area as well.
Right now, we just use the spelling lists from the old Horn-Ashbaugh speller, and we loosely follow the method in there.
Wow! This is definitely something I could use now and in years to come... I have 2 currently in high school and 3 in lower grades :D I really hope to win!
So far I have used what is free because money is tight. I am always leary to buy anything in case I won't like it or won't use it. I have had this on my wish list for a year now. Maybe I will win! :) Thanks for offering this.
we have used Bob Jones in the past but have always hoped to use this when they got older. now they are older:)
We would love to have this program! My 8th grade son & 5th grade daughter love words, vocabulary, etc. We use MCT's Caesar's English & Wheelock's Latin this year, but are not using a formal spelling program. My daughter won our homeschool group's spelling bee last year, and plans to compete again this year. This program would be a great addition to her prep work!
We would love to win this! We do not use a formal spelling program now, but do love MCT's Caesar's English & Wheelock's Latin for what they add to our knowledge of words, vocabulary, etc. My 8th grade son & 5th grade daughter will be participating in the Scripps Spelling Bee this year, and would love to use this program to prepare.
Thank you for the thorough review. I haven't heard of this program before so I'll be adding it to my research list. Please include me in the giveaway!
I have book 1 and it is wonderful!! We combine it with AAS, but as my children get older, I plan to move to using this by itself.
Thank you for the chance to win this. I have been curious about Spelling Wisdom; it sounds like something we could use around here!
We're using All About Spelling right now.
We are currently using Spelling Wisdom, Book 1. I love this "living" way of teaching spelling and internalizing grammar!
We've been using Spelling Wisdom book 1. I love this "living" way of learning spelling and internalizing grammar.
I've been hoping to be able to get this next year for my daughter. It'd be great to win a copy!
We use and love Spelling Wisdom... it is a wonderful tool, especially making it EASY for the teacher! :)
I'll have to check to see if I end up the winner, because I'd only benefit if there is a book after book 3. Otherwise I'll be glad for someone else to have a try at it!
Thanks for posting this to the CMBCarnival! :)
amy in peru
oops. I just read the US residents part, and assuming that I did win, I wonder if having a US mailing address would work? or an electronic version? anyway, I'm not too worried either way ;)
Oh, I really need this...what we are using is not working...and this would fit our home so nicely!!! PLEASE...pick me!!!
Would love to win this!
We are teaching spelling with work books and some other random methods. I would love to win and get something more structured.
I use Spelling Wisdom Book 1 and I would love to win Book 2 and 3! Thanks for the opportunity!
I have been using Evan-Moor's spelling program, but have recently been enlightened more fully by Charlotte Mason's methods, and actually have book 1 of Spelling Wisdom on it's way to me, but if I win this, it would be great for the next level!
I use Spell to Read and Write by Spalding.
I would love to win! I've been eying this program :)
I would love to try this with my high schooler who struggles with this subject.
I have been eyeing Spelling Wisdom for the past few months - please count me into your giveaway and thanks for the review too. It's nice to hear from someone who has used it.
I use Spelling Power and Spelling Wisdom Book One
I already have spelling wisdom (so I am not entering the drawing). I so enjoyed hearing you reccomend it again. It will be a few years before my boys are 10 and I am so thrilled to already have a 'good' plan in place for spelling at that age. It allows me to relax in the years I am in now and watch and see CM's methods bring forth the fruit she espouses.
BTW Your new blog layout is charming! I love the new look over at Handbook of nature study as well!
I am planning to start using spelling wisdom next year with my oldest. It looks like an awesome program. Right now we are doing copywork and word building for spelling.
I've just relied on their own reading and writing to teach their spelling. I have a few older children who have to ask how to spell things yet, so I may need to get a great book like Spelling Wisdom for them!
penneymaried (at) yahoo (dot) com
I use spelling webster and play a game of spelling bee in the car when we have a logn drive.
We use All About Spelling.
Oh, I hate that I just got around to blogging & missed your give away. Would loved to have won this. First I've heard of it. Sounds just like what I'm looking for. Thanks for stopping by my blog.
We have been using a free program online which teaches basic spelling rules: prefixes, suffixes, plurals, etc. I would love to have a program that imparts wisdom as well as spelling practice! What a blessing!
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