From the same company that produces A Reason for Handwriting comes the impressive A Reason for Spelling program. A placement test at the beginning of each level helps you determine how to implement the program for your child or if you should place them in a lower level. Basically, a child should begin the first level book (A) as soon as they know the alphabet, can recognize letters, and can spell short vowel, one-syllable words. For first-grade students who lack some of these skills, a rather extensive (65 page) phonics review section at the beginning of this level can be used before beginning the spelling program.
The format of lessons in each level follows a weekly schedule. Each full-color Workbook provides a weekly story theme that is supported by phonics-based spelling exercises that include a variety of reinforcement and enrichment activities. Each lesson begins with a pre-test, then presents a Scripture verse and theme story. Following spelling corrections, students complete an activity in which they write each spelling word into a sequence of shaped boxes. Spelling words are studied using a “Hide and Seek” activity. A language arts activity aids in retention. Students end the week by taking a post-test, updating their progress charts and adding missed words to their spelling dictionaries.
The Teacher Guidebook outlines specific activities for each lesson such as dictation exercises, read-aloud stories, hands-on projects, vocabulary drill, learning games, proofreading, review work, and weekly tests for evaluation purposes. Teacher Guidebooks are essential to the use of this program. Most of the benefit of the program and all specific teaching instructions for using the worktext will be lost without them.
We strongly recommend purchasing the Sets (include both the Teacher Guidebook and Student Worktext). Designed to work well within a homeschool setting or in a traditional classroom.
The revised 2nd edition includes updates to weekly read-aloud stories, dictation sentences, student exercises, and more.
