Spellwell

Description

This series is a flexible spelling program, designed to practice words by spelling rule, but incorporating high-frequency sight words and additional words of your choice. This allows you to include content – area words from other subject areas or words your child has misspelled in writing. Another nice feature is the upgrading of the lesson if a child misses less than two words on the pretest. Words with the same phonetic or spelling rule, but at a higher reading level, are substituted for those on the original list. For example, if words like "tire," "hole," and "mistake" are no challenge, they are replaced by words like "telephone," "useful," and "earthquake." As you might guess, this lesson's rule is "Words with Silent e." An "outlaw" word for the lesson is "whole," since it doesn't conform to its sound. After the pretest, the student uses the words in the list in games and activities throughout the week. According to research referenced here, students more easily retain information that's practiced in regular, short intervals than for a longer time less frequently. Exercises appear varied, educational, and interesting, giving the students experience writing and working with the words before the post test. Cartoonish blackline illustrations liven the text and would be fun to color in as a reward for good work. Each level includes two student books (for example: A and AA) and will take approximately one schoolyear, although it is flexible to meet individual children's needs. Teacher guides are optional, providing an answer key for the exercises. You should not need them at this level, but they are inexpensive and will help busy moms save time. There is one teacher guide for each level. Packages include both student books and the teacher guide/answer key for each level.

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.