Spelling You See is a gentle, multisensory homeschool
spelling program that builds strong visual memory of words through short,
consistent daily activities (typically 10–20 minutes per day). Instead of
memorizing weekly word lists or taking tests, students work with real-life
informative passages using a unique chunking method: they identify and
color-mark letter combinations (chunks) that represent spelling patterns. This
is followed by copywork and dictation, which help embed the visual image of
each word into long-term memory.
The program is organized around five developmental stages of
spelling rather than grade levels:
- Stage
I – Preliterate: Learning about print, letter formation, and the flow
of reading
- Stage
II – Phonetic: Developing auditory awareness of individual sounds in
words
- Stage
III – Skill Development: Mastering phonics patterns and exceptions
through extended repetition
- Stage
IV – Word Extension: Focusing on syllables, prefixes, and suffixes
- Stage
V – Derivational Constancy: Exploring word roots and patterns
Because every child progresses at their own pace, placement
should always be based on the official Spelling You See
Placement Test rather than age or grade.
The 7 Levels:
- Level
A: Listen and Write – Foundational letter formation, sounds, and
simple words (one workbook)
- Level
B: Jack and Jill – Nursery rhymes and early phonics
- Level
C: Wild Tales – Engaging animal stories
- Level
D: Americana – American history and culture
- Level
E: American Spirit – Stories from American history
- Level
F: Ancient Achievements – Contributions from ancient civilizations
- Level
G: Modern Milestones – Modern history, science, arts, and inventors
(focus on prefixes, suffixes, and base words)
Each level contains 36 weekly lessons with five days of
activities built around a consistent weekly theme. Days 1–3 focus on chunking,
highlighting, and copywork (often with an additional activity or short
composition). Days 4–5 are dedicated to dictation of the same passage—treated
as skill-building practice, not a test. Students are encouraged to rewrite
tricky words multiple times to discover which version “looks right.”
What’s Included & New as of 2025:
- Instructor Handbook: Provides a complete program
overview, placement guidelines, detailed lesson plans, answer key, and links to
online teacher resources.
- Student Pack: Includes two full-color Student
Workbooks (perforated for easy removal) with plenty of writing space.
- For Levels C–G: A "Daily
Huddle" activity encourages meaningful parent-child discussion and
engagement. Additional
instructional videos are included for extra teacher support.
A quality set of colored pencils is required. Note that the
program is no longer sold as a “Universal Set.” You will need to purchase
either the full Set (Instructor Handbook + Student Pack) or the components
separately.
The consistent daily rhythm, combined with reading words in
meaningful context, helps students develop the visual spelling memory that
leads to confident, natural spelling.
Important note: Levels C–G have been fully
revised for 2025, and the new edition is replacing the previous one. The 2025
edition of Spelling You See is not compatible with the prior edition.
