All About Spelling Levels 4 and 5 Review

All About Spelling is a logical, sequential, multisensory spelling program. The lessons involve sight, sound, and touch.  Each lesson builds upon the previous lesson.  The program is mastery-based, not grade-level based, so when students master a specific concept, they move on.  It also has continual review.

We had previously purchased and used levels 1-3 of All About Spelling.  Munchkin really liked the program, and it helped build her confidence with spelling.  We were thrilled to learn that we would have the opportunity to review levels 4 and 5 of the program.

When you first receive your spelling program, you will have some prep work to do before you can use it.  You’ll need to cut out the letter tiles and put the magnets on the back. You’ll also need to punch out the phonogram, sound, key, and word cards.  (As side note: you use to have to cut these all out, but they are now perforated.  This is a great improvement and time saver.)  I placed all of our tiles on a white board for easier use.

Munchkin liked using the letter tiles this time since they were magnetized and easy to find.  She wrote her spelling words on the white board.  We placed the spelling rules and strategies on the cork board at the bottom of the white board.  This allowed Munchkin to be able to see the helpful tips while spelling.

The teacher’s guide contains step-by-step lesson plans.  The lessons begin with review of previous words/concepts.  Next, you move on to teaching new skills. The lessons contain spelling words, sentence dictation, and the writing station.  Lessons may also include homophone pairs and/or rule breakers.

After we completed the spelling words for the day on the white board, I would dictate the sentences for the day to Munchkin.  I created some note booking pages for this purpose just to make it a little more fun.  After the sentence dictation, we would move on to the writing station.  For the writing station, you dictate certain words to your child.  After they write them on the paper, they have to create original sentences containing those words.  The writing station ended up being Munchkin’s favorite thing.  She came up with some great sentences, and she strove to spell everything correctly.

When Munchkin completed the whole lesson, she was able to put stickers on her All About Spelling “treasure map” (a progress chart provided with the program).  This was a great visual for her on how far she had gone and how far she had to go.  Once the level is completed, the child can receive a certificate of completion (also included with the program).

The only real negative that I can say about the program is that I wish there were some more difficult words for the kids.  It would be nice to progress from the easier words to difficult words within the same concept.

I like that a child can really move at their own pace in this program.  What that means is that for older kids, you may be going through a step/lesson a day at times.  At the same time, it allows plenty of time to review concepts to make sure the kids thoroughly grasp the lessons being taught.

Level Four Phonograms learned in 27 steps include:

• tch
• dge
• ew
• ei
• wr
• kn
• or
• eigh
• ear
• ph
• ti
• oe

Level Five Phonograms learned in 28 steps include:

• si
• ie
• ough
• ui
• gn
• our
• ci

It is recommended that a student start off with level 1 and progress through each level instead of jumping in to a higher level.  All About Spelling Level 4 teacher’s manual and student packet is available for $39.95.  All About Spelling Level 5 teacher’s manual and student packet is available for $39.95.  If you not already have the starter pack (needed to use the program), you can purchase it for $26.95.

When you sign up for the All About Spelling newsletter, you will receive a free report, “20 Best Tips for Teaching Spelling.”