I've just finished All About Spelling Level 1 with one of my kids, using it as a tool to get in some rules we've apparently missed along the way. I'm really pleased with it and figured a little review was in order. I like how it goes over an open syllable and a closed syllable for when a vowel says it's long or short sound, USUALLY. The words are super simple in the lesson teaching this, but it is easy for Mom to pull out some 4 syllable words to demonstrate why this principle matters. I also like that there is a specific lesson on counting syllables. I was surprised at how one of my children really didn't have a firm grasp of this concept. The program is also very clear on when to use 'ck' vs. 'k' at the end of a word (or syllable)--what is the sound that is directly before the 'k' sound? Go from there.
Having used The Phonics Road to Spelling and Reading made AAS more enjoyable because I know Barbara Beers' cute jingles (like for how we often double L, S and F after a single vowel at the end of a base word of one syllable and the ck jingle).
In hindsight, I think using The Phonics Road was a great program that I probably should have used with all of my kids, but it is rather cumbersome and pulling out certain components just didn't work great for me when it was time to work with my 2nd child. It's a heavy 'mom needed' program, but I should have made the time. Oh well, now I'm working to fill in some gaps and AAS is great for this. It would also be a terrific first spelling program.
I've used Christian Liberty Press's spelling, Phonetic Zoo, the programs I've mentioned, and Spelling Power. I'm using Spelling Power now as a supplement for my student that is able to do words much harder than what is in AAS---great book for word lists to take a student far.
HTH,
Ann
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