Sequential Spelling 1 [Paperback]

Don McCabe (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2008

This is the only method of teaching spelling that eliminates the Study-for-the-test-and-forget-by- Monday syndrome. Each of the 7 levels has 180 daily tests of 25 words. The AVKO approach uses its d

Product Details

• Paperback: 70 pages
• Publisher: AVKO Educational Research Foundation (September 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1564009610
• ISBN-13: 978-1564009616
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.4 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #78,280 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's a winner, June 1, 2007

By 

L. J. Pluddemann "Truth Matters" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sequential Spelling 1 (Paperback)

This is the first logical method for teaching/learning English spelling that I have ever been exposed to.
Words are presented in related families, and the learner is forced to think through the spelling of every word.
This book has brought an end to the era of spelling lists learned miserably and in parrot-fashion at our house. My children now ask for their spelling time if I forget.
I like the clear instructions given for administering the lesson (which my children enjoy more as a game). As a first-time user, you cannot go wrong.
I like the fact that homophones are always referenced.
I like the fact that this system of teaching spelling is not onerous and is working for us.
We're glad we own this book

39 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars On the lookout again., July 19, 2010

By 

Kim Christain "K" (CO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sequential Spelling 1 (Paperback)

I was disappointed in this after reading several good ratings. It is listed with our SonLight curriculum. Some loved it, others complained of labor intensiveness. I can see how some would label it labor intensive because it is soooo repetitive. But, actually if you stay with it EVERY day, each day is pretty short.

I agree having the rules listed would be nice (another common complaint), but I'm not sure how they would fit into the format. Maybe a short lesson to be read aloud would help?

We stuck with it for half the year and then got seriously bored (I'm not sure if that was the kids or me, maybe both). My kids would express words of dread, but then the lesson was over. Maybe I should have stuck with it longer, but we're looking for another curriculum this year.

Jan 2011 f/u after switching to Spelling Power - excerpt from my mid-year f/u review:
I just listened to an interview with Andrew Pudewa, director of Institute for Excellence in Writing (seriously considering buying), discuss spelling. He said some kids are not good visual organizers and writing/reading to spell is overwhelming because they see all the letters at once instead of in the correct order (not to be confused with dyslexia since 9yo boys are still not developed 100% neurologically - relieved since my son still flips letters around). He pointed out spelling use to be taught all verbally, thereby forcing kids to deal with the spelling one letter at a time while soounding out the word one syllable at a time. He also said phonetic rules complicate the learning process and has observed terrible spellers with strong reading skills that were ruined by the push of phonetic rules after learning how to read. I can definitely see how my son fits this. Therefore....
Mr. Pudewa recommended the Avco Sequential Spelling (my method last year - hated it) because the words are grouped into phonetic families and there is no phonetic rules to learn. But, he also mentioned this book as a great resource for learning the most commonly mispelled words. I wish I had learned this method's concept of not requiring kids to practice words they already spell correctly. I may have stayed with the Avco and found success. Since I already have this, I'll tweek it and hope for the same success.

If you decide to purchase this, consider doing the excises verbally (especially for boys 7-10 yrs still flipping letters around) and do not require the kids to repeat words they already know how to spell.
Wish I could add a star and not skew the rating average so much.

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I'm amazed how well it works!, December 11, 2008

By 

C. Johnson "HCyndiJ" (Denton, md United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sequential Spelling 1 (Paperback)

I bought Sequential Spelling last year - in desperation. My 9 year old can't memorize spelling words, can't sound them out, and HATED spelling. Every lesson ended with tears.

I looked through the book when it arrived, then shelved it. A book filled with spelling lists could NOT help my child. There were some directions in the beginning, but then simply spelling lists.

I brought out the book five days ago, in desperation. She really cannot spell - not even well enough to read her own writing! I started at the beginning at followed the script - something I never do. The lesson went well (it was very easy) - and she was eager for the next day's lesson. She learned to build on the easy words she COULD spell - and she learned some lessons - like "double the /n/ in pin before adding /ing/.

Today (day five) she spelled "beginning" and "disagree" just by building on simple words, and following the spelling rule! She's thrilled - and so am I!