All About Spelling (Review)

I recently became an affiliate for All About Spelling, because we still love this program very much, I want to spread the word on what a blessing it has been for my struggling speller. My 8 year old son is almost finished with Level One now, and we are looking forward to moving on to Level Two. Here is the original review I wrote for The Eclectic Homeschooler and I wanted to share it with you here on my site. If you decide All About Spelling is for you, please support me by using the link in my sidebar. Thank you!

All About Spelling Review

I’ve been looking for a spelling program for a long time. Word-family lists, and look-say-spell methods would just not work for my 3rd grade child that struggles with auditory processing, and has difficulty with spelling. I have finally found the answer to my prayers. It is called All About Spelling, and I recently had the opportunity to preview Level One. There are four levels in all.

All About Spelling is a multi-sensory spelling program that has step-by-step lesson plans, several teaching tools for interactive learning, it’s customizable for every student, with built in daily review for reinforcement.

All About Spelling uses auditory, visual, and kinesthetic activities, along with the phonogram method to teach spelling. A phonogram is a letter or letter combination that represents a sound. For example, the letter combination ck represents the sound /k/. This program builds upon the Orton-Gillingham method which is used to teach reading to dyslexic children. So, in other words, it’s a great tool for the struggling learner.

In Level One children learn how to segment words into their individual sounds, how to choose between c and k at the beginning of a word, when to double certain letters, how to identify and count syllables in words, how to form plural words using s or es compound words, and so much more. It builds a foundation for spelling that my child will need when we move on to Level Two.

The teacher’s instructions are very well laid-out, simple and organized. Step-by-step, it walks you and your student through the lessons. I love how it tells me what to say to my child so that he will understand what we are learning. I can open the book and begin each day without a lot of preparation.

All About Spelling uses magnetic letter tiles, that need to be purchased in addition to the Level One set. I recommend using a magnetic board for using these in your lessons. A phonogram audio CD-ROM is available as an add-on as well. Although, we did not use the CD-ROM, it might be beneficial to someone that is not familiar with the phonograms and the sounds they make. I taught my children to read using the phonogram method, so we were already familiar with them.

All About Spelling also uses a file card system, (the cards and dividers are included with the set), which work like flash cards. You’ll need to purchase a 3x5” index card box to hold them for convenience. Through using these cards, my child has learned the phonograms, how to say and write the sounds and letter combinations that they make, and is also learning spelling rules. We review these cards daily, which helps reinforce what he has learned before moving on to new lessons. This has helped my child immensely. Review is consistent throughout the lessons.

Every day is spent writing words and phrases as well, so children get used to spelling correctly in sentence form. My child received daily practice spelling words with the letter tiles and with pencil and paper. I also enjoyed the fact that we can work at our own pace, progressing as needed. We move quick through some lessons and slower through others as necessary. It can be customized to fit any child’s learning abilities.

Also included is a progress chart and certificate of achievement for completion of Level One. Coloring in the shapes for each lesson completed on the progress chart gives my child a sense of accomplishment, whether he has spelled all of his words correct or not. This is very important for someone who has a child that struggles with spelling, and gets frustrated easily by not getting all of his words correct.

You can also sign up for free weekly spelling tips sent to your email address to enhance your teaching methods on the All About Spelling website.

Overall, I am extremely pleased and impressed with the layout and method of All About Spelling. I have not seen any other spelling method like this anywhere. By using the multi-sensory approach, it is a complete and full program to help children master spelling. It is exactly what I have been searching for, and I feel confident that I will continue using all of the levels to help my child have the success in spelling we both desire!

Currently, All About Spelling is available on their website for $29.95 per volume. Magnetic Letter Tiles which are necessary to use with this program are $5.95, and the Phonogram Audio CD-ROM is $14.95. There are additional material packets available for additional students.

The following elements are rated on a scale of 1-5 (5 being the best, NA meaning that this element does not apply to this service)

Value for Price: 5
Ease of Use: 5
Visual Appeal: 4
Durability: 4
Customer Service/Support: NA
Amount of Materials Required: 3.5
Use for Multiple Children: 5
Appeal to Students: 4

*The author’s review and opinion is entirely her own. This product was provided to the author for free from a member of the 2008-2009 The Old Schoolhouse Magazine Homeschool Crew. No further compensation was received.*