Spelling Connections Spelling Curriculum: A Look Inside 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Grade

[@PeaceofMindHomeschooling]

Great review! This curriculum first popped up on my radar from one of your instagram stories and I knew it would be quality/research based. I’m so happy to see how you introduce and/or modify the program to suit your learners needs. I’ve done this for a number of years, but it makes me feel more confident to know other educators such as yourself adjust the activities similar to how we have.

[@homespun.childhood]

Glad it was helpful!

[@TheHomeschoolNook]

Best review I’ve seen for this curriculum thank you so much

[@homespun.childhood]

Glad it was helpful!

[@tammyron5705]

So glad you made this video! We’re using Pinwheels 3 right now and I’ve decided introduce a little more spelling with my 8 year old. I ordered the 1st grade spelling connections book and now realize he needs the 2nd grade book. I think this will be a great addition.

[@homespun.childhood]

Sounds like you have a solid plan in place!

[@sarahhartman8103]

It looks like they have differentiated word lists (below, at, above level) in the teacher manual. Have you seen these listed anywhere in the student manuals? I dont really want the teacher manual, but thought those lists might be nice. Also, I have used All about spelling & like it, but would like a workbook component. Any thoughts on using AAS for teaching & this for a workbook component & word list?

[@madisonrussell5392]

Thanks so much for this review! Spelling Connections has been on my wishlist for a while. It looks great! I agree 100% the worksheets are often misunderstood. Our kids should have both authentic learning experiences *and* research-backed strategies for academic subjects. Do you have suggestions for how to use this program alongside foundational reading instruction for the earlier grades? I assume it’s best to try to match the pattern that’s being learned in reading, even if that means switching up the weeks.

[@homespun.childhood]

Hey - so it really depends on the kid. If you are using it alongside a foundational reading program and your child's spelling is style in sync with their reading lessons, then yes - jump around and match the spelling to the reading. Many children start to have asynchronous skills around 2nd grade and up, so that's when I would continue with their reading program but target their spelling separately.

[@madisonrussell5392]

That makes sense, thanks!

[@Ahomeontheprairies]

Thanks for this review! Would you use this in addition to Pinwheels 3&4 year with a 3rd grader, or is that overkill?😅 I have been looking at this program as an option.

[@homespun.childhood]

So it really depends on your child's needs. Are they retaining the spelling skills taught in their PW lessons? Do they carry over into their independent/original writing? If yes, then stick with what you are already doing. If you think they need more help getting the spelling to carry over, then Spelling Connections might be something to consider, or you could just add in additional spelling activities with PW. I go into this in detail in my Spelling Instruction Guide: www.homespunchildhood.com/store/p/spelling-instruction-guide

[@user-vg8ez9cu6u]

How does this stack up to All About Spelling in your opinion?

[@homespun.childhood]

Both programs have pros and cons. Spelling Connections doesn't include phoneme-grapheme mapping, but that's easy to add in. All About Spelling has more explicit instruction, but no workbook component. I go into these programs and more in depth in my Spelling Instruction Guide: www.homespunchildhood.com/store/p/spelling-instruction-guide

[@user-vg8ez9cu6u]

@@homespun.childhood thank you!

[@87lilylover]

Would you recommend this to go alongside Logic of English?

[@homespun.childhood]

So I love LoE for many kids and often recommend it in consulting. We used it with my oldest (classic oldest child, very logical thinker). But I do not like their spelling analysis approach. It just isn't supported by the science/research. That is an easy fix though - you can just use the same word list and do phoneme-grapheme mapping instead (I have several posts on that on Instagram). So, all that said, yes, you can pair it next to LoE. I use SC as independent spelling practice for my oldest. I wouldn't worry about trying to align the spelling skills.

[@87lilylover]

Thank you so much for responding to my question. We are moving to second grade and I would like my daughter to start a spelling curriculum. I am considering SC now to fill that space. My daughter is always asking... how do you spell this? She does do phonetic spelling but I feel she needs more practice and familiarity with the words in all the contexts that SC provides. Thanks again, I am going to familiarize myself with the phoneme grapheme mapping! :) @@homespun.childhood

[@samanthagraveswalters8443]

Is there some kinda placement test ?

[@homespun.childhood]

Not sure if the program has a placement test. My Benchmark Assessment Course includes a spelling inventory and break down of how to analyze a student's spelling skills to select an appropriate level program. www.homespunchildhood.com/courses

[@roseylove1543]

Does this teach the spelling rules or just following spelling patterns?

[@homespun.childhood]

The workbooks include a blurb on the first page of each unit identifying the spelling pattern/rule. But the workbooks don't really do any teaching component. For example, in the ai vs ay unit, the workbooks don't tell you that ai is used in the middle of words and ay at the end. The teacher guide might have that component in it, but i'm not sure. I typically pair the workbooks to match my direct instruction from another program or scope and sequence.

[@kristimckeon6967]

Thank you so much for the review. A small constructive criticism is i wish you would have stopped flipping the pages back and forth and just slowly gone through so I could clearly see what was on each page but I still go the gist of it

[@homespun.childhood]

Thanks for the feedback. I try to balance sharing the curriculum while also recognizing copyright. Sometimes I just have to get a program myself to see if it's a good fit for that reason.

[@jeannenorris2280]

Zanier Bosler ?!?!!?

[@homespun.childhood]

Yes?