As part of an on going quest to find a spelling curriculum for our upcoming school year, we were sent Simply Classical Spelling Book One: Step-by-Step Words and Simply Classical Spelling Book Two: Step-by-Step Words, Skill level about 1st-3rd grade from Memoria Press to review!
One of the things I have been looking for in a curriculum was something simple and easy to manage without a lot of extra components to the lessons. The way the Simply Classical Spelling lessons are laid out they are familiar to the way I learned spelling.
The Simply Classical Spelling Book One: Step-by-Step Words and Simply Classical Spelling Book Two: Step-by-Step Words lessons were easy to follow and the teachers manual is built right into each of the books.
This series gives your struggling writer an incremental, multi-sensory approach with an oral/aural emphasis. Each week includes targeted Word Study exercises to promote linguistic awareness, cognitive flexibility, and improved spelling skills.
In both books the spelling words are called “Key Words” students will identify Vowels, Consonants, Silent E, Consonant Digraphs, Consonant Blends and Word Families. Then there are the “Words to Know” these words are the exception to spelling rules.
Simply Classical Spelling Book One: Step-by-Step Words students are given 7 words to learn and Simply Classical Spelling Book Two: Step-by-Step Words they are given 13 words to practice for the week. Book one provides 34 weeks of lessons with 30 spelling list and in book 2 students will receive 32 weeks of lesson. The teacher suggested games are also helpful if you want to add variety to the spelling practice. Each lesson can be divided up into five practice days.
My son is pretty familiar with spelling practice so I started him in Simply Classical Spelling Book Two: Step-by-Step Words and we took out our spelling box to practice his “Key Words” and “Words to Know”. I like the fact the lessons also include phonics and a little grammar. The suggested pattern for the lessons are broken down to 4-5days with the 4th day being quiz day and 5th day is for dictation which is very important step in book 2.
Suggested pattern book1:
- Memorize Monday
- Hands-on Touch Tuesday
- Write High Wednesday
- Thursday Quiz Day
- Optional Review Day for Book 1
Suggested Pattern Book 2
- Memorize Monday
- Tracing Tuesday
- Word Study & Write High Wednesday
- Thursday Quiz Day
- Friday Dictation
Another great component to this curriculum is that if you have a struggling writer this will help your young writers improve their writing skills while learning spelling. The curriculum is appealing to both children with special needs and those who just need a little more support before jumping into a more challenging spelling program.
Simply Classical Spelling Book One: Step-by-Step Words and Simply Classical Spelling Book Two: Step-by-Step Words cost is $14.95 per book plus shipping. There is no separate teachers manual for you to purchase everything is within the books. The only additional supplies I will say you will need is index cards, highlighters or colored pencils. Creating a spelling box is clearly optional for your student and it isn’t mentioned in the books. I highly recommend this program if you are looking for a spelling program to ease your student into and we will continue to use it over the summer.
Be sure to check out the other Crew Reviews they are reviewing a variety of other curriculum from Memoria Press!
Until Next,
Mom
Little Learner and Mom 