Spelling Power

Well, I think the Northrop girls have found a fit.  Poor Ava last year had the toughest time in spelling.  Her 3rd grade book was way to easy for her.  We stopped half way through  he year, since she had nearly finished the book already.  So, we supplimented with online lists that did the job but I was always feeling a bit like she was not being challenged enough.  And as all of us out there that have taken the Stregnth Finders tests know that we are to actually opperate out of our stregnths not focus on our weaknesses. 

So this year we went all out and invested some dough into Spelling Power.  It is reccomemded by My Fathers World,l the curriculum we use and love. After getting the huge manual I felt a bit nervous about getting it all understood, or figured out in time for school to start.  But after a few days of letting it all marinade in my head I got it.  We took a few placement tests provided and did a writing sample and whalah, there Ava was ready to start spelling at a level actually chalenging for her.  It is a few grade levels up from where the average 4th grader is, but it is where she is actually at.  She has been challenged and felt very rewarded after learning new words.  Like 'received' today.  The teaching ideas and format is so user friendly.  The girls both are using Spelling Power after a week on Amber's 2nd grade bogus spelling program.  The idea is simple.  Do a pretest every day of new words, and only study the words you don't know.  Not the others you do know.  for Ava this is the best approach for sure.  For Amber, we'll see.  So far after a week she is doing well.  They love the kinetic methods used like the writing of the spelling words in the beans.  It really does work as far as retention goes. Trying to figure out the reality of juggeling homeschool to be done by late morning each day, which really is not a stretch as we were done today and kids out the door to play by 11am.  But then to go off to school my self for the rest of the day.  My brain will be FRIED!  So, I will not speak that over my brain.  Brian, you will be challenged and will GROW?  Yes grow .  Haaaa.