Practical Spelling

Description

We expect solid, useful, and inexpensive curriculum from our Amish publishers and this spelling program does not disappoint. The Student Books are consumable and look like something our grandparents might have used in school typed pages, no pictures, decent paper quality and softbound, stapled covers. To our graphics-intensive trained eyes, these might look "sparse," but dont be too quick to judge. Instruction is to the point, word selection is based on phonics principles and usage topics (i.e. fruits/vegetables, cooking terms, etc.), reinforcement activities are traditional and varied. The result is an extremely inexpensive, get-the-job-done-well program. Each "unit" is a weekly lesson 36 for each year. The number of weekly words vary with the grade level. Grade 2 has 10-11. Grade 3 has 12- 13 words; Grade 4 has 14-15; Grade 5 has 18; Grade 6 - 8 have 20. There is a review lesson every six weeks. Most of the work up to the weekly test can be done by the student working independently. The Teacher Books provide answers, spelling lists (in a different order from the students book), and sentences for dictation or examples. Grades 2-7 Teacher Books are full-size reproductions of the student books with answers filled in. The Grade 8 Teacher Key is a half-sized books with answers only, but when our stock on the current version runs out, it will transition to a full-size book as well. ~ Janice

Teaching Method
Traditional
Teacher-centered curriculum commonly used in classrooms that may include a text, teacher manual, tests, etc.
Charlotte Mason
A methodology based on the work of a 19th century educator who maintained that children learn best from literature (Living Books), not textbooks.
Classical
A methodology based on the Latin Trivium (three stages of learning), including the grammar stage (memorization and facts), logic stage (critical thinking), and rhetoric stage (developing/defending ideas).
Unit Study
A thematic or topical approach centered around one topic that integrates multiple subject areas.
Montessori (Discovery)
A methodology based on the work of a 20th century educator that emphasizes student and sensory-driven discovery learning and real-life applications.
Other
Other methodologies
Religious Content
Secular
Contains content contrary to common Christian beliefs (i.e. evolution).
Neutral
Avoids religious or theoretical topics or presents multiple viewpoints without preference.
Christian/Religious
Faith-based or including instructional religious content.
Learning Modality
Auditory
Learns through listening, talking out loud or reading out loud.
Visual
Learns through seeing, prefers written instructions and visual materials.
Kinesthetic/Tactile (Hands-On)
Learns through moving, doing and touching.
Multi-Sensory
Curriculum that employ a variety of activities/components.
Presentation
Sequential
Curriculum progresses through well-defined learning objectives. Emphasizes mastery before moving to the next topic.
Spiral
Topics and concepts are repeated from level to level, adding more depth at each pass and connecting with review.
Conceptual/Topical
Focus is on the “why,” often with a unifying concept as well as specific skills; coverage may be broader.
Teacher Involvement
Low Teacher Involvement
Student-led materials; parent acts as a facilitator.
Medium Teacher Involvement
A mix of teacher-led time and independent student work.
High Teacher Involvement
Teacher-led lessons; may utilize discussions, hands-on activities and working together.
Additional Materials Required
No other materials needed
Everything you need is included.
Other Materials Required
There are additional required resources that are a separate purchase.
Other Materials Optional
There are additional resources mentioned or recommended but are not absolutely necessary.
Consumable
Consumable
Designed to be written in; not reusable.
Non-Consumable
Not designed to be written in; reusable.