Should We Start in Level 1 or 2?

The All About Spelling program is a building block program: one level builds upon the previous one. In order to build a strong foundation, we recommend that most students start with All About Spelling Level One. If the child has worked with a phonogram-based program before, though, he may be able to go directly into Level Two.
 

A few questions to help you decide

• Does the student know how to segment words into their individual sounds? (Shrimp is segmented into /sh/ - /r/ - /ĭ/ - /m/ - /p/, for example.)

• Has he completely mastered the sounds of the phonograms for a through z, plus ch, th, sh, ng, and ck? Can he write them from dictation?

• Can he easily spell most short vowel words?

• Does he know the basic spelling rules and how to apply them?

• Can he easily write out these sentences:
  
  The map can help us.
  Hand me the red backpack.
  Stick a stamp on the box.
  Fill six cups with milk.

If you answered no to any of the questions, start with Level One of the All About Spelling series. Even if the student works through it quickly, Level One will form a solid foundation for future lessons.
 
Level Two does include a very quick review of the concepts taught in Level One, but does not include the Phonogram Cards and Sound Cards 1-32 which were taught in Level One. If you decide to begin with Level Two, you should purchase the Level One Material Packet so that you have those cards for review purposes.

Try out a sample lesson.

Take a look at the sample lessons. Go to the Dictation section of the lessons and see if your student can easily spell the words of if they need help at this level.

If your student needs remedial spelling...