169 of 169 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent!, July 23, 2002
This review is from: Spelling Workout, Level A (Student Edition) (Paperback)
I've spent some big bucks on spelling programs, and this is by far the best of the lot. No spelling program is perfect because we all have different tastes, but this comes as close to perfection as I have found, and believe me...my wallet has "found' quite a few. I've happily resold every one except this one. By the way, this review refers to the "old" Sports Theme version...The new version has a multicultural theme, but the same content.
Kids usually approach spelling as the necessary evil of their school curriculum, probably because they get no satisfaction from us moms and teachers cramming a list of 10 or 20 words down their throats every week in search of that perfect score. Spelling should not be a drudgery. It should be fun, relaxing, and even hip. Words are so cool...they make up our language. They allow us to communicate with each other and to express ourselves. They allow us to to be free and help us to share a piece of ourselves with others. What students need to get is that without words, they are not connected with all the world has to offer. And worse, they will be seen as uneducated if they grow up to be poor spellers. Bottom line is that they need to learn how to spell whether they like it or not! Philip Trocki has developed a superb series of workbooks based on a sport theme format that kids can relate to. Now that doesn't mean that they will like it. You can't force a kid to like spelling, but at least you can make it tolerable, and that's exactly what this workbook does! By the way, I would highly recommend starting this or any other formal spelling program AFTER the basics of phonics are learned and established.
In this series, each lesson is covered over a 5-day period.
Day 1: Warm Up and Warm Up test which consists of a reading selection that uses the spelling words in context. The Warm Up test (called "On Your Mark") guides your student through the pretest and helps them self-assess their spelling
Day 2 and 3 - Game Plan: consists of a written spelling rule, a presentation of the list words and a variety of activities that emphasize word meanings. During these days students will be given lots of practice with the List Words. Also included are dictionary skill activities and puzzles.
Day 4: Flex Your Spelling Muscles: consists of a writing exercise and challenge words.
Day 5: Spelling test is administered
Overall, this is the most comprehensive spelling program I have found. The various activities help with retention and have helped to develop my girls into very strong spellers.
5 Stars...easily
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55 of 55 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A good place to start spelling, May 21, 2002
This review is from: Spelling Workout, Level A (Student Edition) (Paperback)
Philip Trocki carefully walks children through their first encounter with the nasty subject of English spelling. He begins by presenting just 6 words a lesson, carefully showing how phonics is really just the opposite side of the coin to spelling. It is an excellent companion reference for those who are beginning the road to reading.
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31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Effective book but not for everyone, April 19, 2009
My [..] daughter who is weak in spelling did not enjoy this book. We used the book as extra spelling practice. Because of her reluctance, it took 2-3 times as long to complete the work. It was a challenge to make it thru the entire book. That said, it was effective and her spelling did improve as a result of using this book. The word lists were arranged by phonics which gave her a clue as to how to spell the words, esp. those with different vowel blends for the long vowel sounds. I felt the last page of each unit where you write your own sentence was a little advanced and disjoint from the rest of the exercises. While writing isn't her best subject either, I felt that asking her to spell words not just introduced to make sentences while trying to learn how to spell words was a bit much.
Since spelling isn't her best subject, I got several different books for her to practice with. Evan-Moor's Building Spelling Skills is excellent and quite effective. She has also enjoyed School Special Publishing Master Skills Series Spelling and Writing. In the Master Skills book the last page of each unit was a fun activity like a cross-word puzzle, word-find or free-form sentence. For some reason, she doesn't balk about doing these sentences like she did with the Spelling Workout.
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