Subjects:  1. Curricula    2. Education    3. Education / Teaching    4. Elementary    5. English Orthography    6. English language    7. Foreign speakers    8. Illiteracy And Literacy Education    9. Language    10. Language Arts & Disciplines    11. Literacy    12. Orthography and spelling    13. Spelling    14. Study and teaching    15. Study and teaching (Elementary)    16. Vocabulary    17. Education / Curricula    18. English    19. English language: reading skills    20. Teaching of a specific subject   

Subjects:  1. Education / Teaching    2. Elementary    3. English Etymology    4. English Orthography    5. English language    6. Etymology    7. Language    8. Language Arts & Disciplines    9. Orthography and spelling    10. Problems, exercises, etc    11. Roots    12. Spelling    13. Teaching Methods & Materials - Reading    14. Education    15. Education / Teaching Methods & Materials / Reading    16. English    17. Industrial or vocational training    18. Modern languages: reading skills    19. Primary / junior schools   

Reviews (7)

great spelling bee aid
Great book, very useful for diagnosing where your child stands in his/her knowledge of the rules of spelling.Once you've used the tests to see at what level your child spells, you have lots of creative ways to reinforce and upgrade their skills...this book is fantastic!I recommend it not only for those parents who homeschool, but for those parents and students who want a great teaching tool for improving spelling acumen in preparation for a spelling bee.

spelling without anxiety
Whether you are learning or teaching, the techniques used in "Spelling Power" are very simple to use.Instead of the ole' Study, Test, Study method- you are encouraged to do the opposite. The first day is spent taking a placement test (about 10-15 minutes) to see where you start.The next day, you administer the test of ten words first, and only study those words that were incorrect.There are many study ideas, and games that help with the study process.The next day you give the next test of ten words, along with the words that were missed the day before. If more than 5 words were missed, then you only administer the test with the incorrect words, otherwise I could see how self confidence would be an issue if you had a 30 word test by the end of the week. We use this book with our 8 and 10 year olds.They no longer dread spelling, and have a great feeling of accomplishment by the end of the week when they can prove that they have "mastered" between 20-50 words.The reason that I gave this book a "4" instead of a "5" is because the teachers guide in the front (which is a necessity to read) is 100 pages of Blah, Blah, Blah, You need to plan on either a couple of hours of UNINTERUPTED reading (yeah right, not in this house) or, do as I did and use a highlighter and skim at 15 minute intervals.The book also comes with a CD rom, which I couldn't get to run on either of our two computers.The publisher is sending me a new one though.All in all we like this program, and even though it's $50, (for a Spelling Book!) It's not just a spelling book, it's 15 minutes a day towards being a sufficient speller which can be used all they way through High School.I recommend adults take the placement test and try it for yourselves, you will be surprised.I know I was.
Best spelling program ever!
My now fourth grader was using another spelling program in 1st grade and got really burned out. It was the traditional study the list all week, write the words, pre-test on Thursday and test on Friday. She and I both hated it! Since we switched to Spelling Power, she asks "Can I do my spelling first?" Everyday, you test them over a designated list of words. When they have spelled 3 wrong, you stop. They study the words they missed using a 10 point study program (all lined out in the record book they use). The next day, they first re-test on the words they missed, and then go on to the next set of words on the designated list. The placement tests show you exactly where to start and where your child is according to grade level. Although it is designed to use starting with 8 and up, I am using it with my 6 year old, too. She was jealous of her sister getting to do this spelling. She does great! We just move slower. The teaching of study skills is powerful! Get this program! Don't be overwhelmed with the text. Take the time to read it before you ever start. On a daily basis, no preparation is required. Annually, you give placement tests. That's it! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Language    2. Language Arts & Disciplines    3. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    4. Spelling    5. Teaching Methods & Materials - General    6. Education    7. Language Arts   

Reviews (1)

FABULOUS!!
Both my father and I used this book to work on our spelling. I was born in the US, and English is my first and only language. Ironically, I am actually an English major. While I could interpret the innerworkings of Shakespeare, I couldn't spell basic English words. I started using this book and my spelling improved incredibly! My father, an immigrant from India, didn't begin to learn English until he was 17 years old. However, by the time he had finished with this book, his spelling was nearly perfect!! This book is great for anyone and everyone!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alphabet    2. Education / Teaching    3. English Orthography    4. English language    5. General    6. Orthography and spelling    7. Programmed instruction    8. Reference    9. Spellers    10. Spelling    11. Writing Skills    12. English    13. Language learning: specific skills    14. Usage guides   

Reviews (2)

A Superb Book For A Very Practical and Popular Concept
I believe that this book, the only one of its kind of which I am aware, answers that age-old question, "How can I find the correct spelling of a word by looking it up in a dictionary if I cannot spell the word to begin with?"This book lists words by their common, phonetic spellings (spelled the ways they sound).I have been tutoring/teaching English at a college for nearly thirty years, and whenever I introduce this book to a student, he or she is very enthusiastic about it!This book can be very helpful.

Essential little book...
This "pint sized" book is a wonderful aide in helping those of us who are poor spellers. It is difficult to look up the correct spelling of a word, when you don't know how to spell it correctly, or even close tocorrectly, to begin with.This book is the answer to that problem.Read more

Subjects:  1. Dictionaries - General    2. Language Arts & Disciplines    3. Reference    4. Spelling    5. Writing Skills    6. Reference / Dictionaries   

Reviews (4)

Making Words Matter
One of the best references on word study; making it relevant, easy to implement and a fun way to learn words, their characteristics and patterns.
Words are Powerful
Words are part of our language and students must be given the opportunity to play and experiment with words in different contexts.This book is a great resource for the primary grades.It provides useful word study activities that can be implemented in the classroom such as, making new words, word sorts, word ladders, and webs.The text offers an array of appendixes that teachers can use in their classroom.The ends of the chapters are dedicated with professional development ideas to help teachers grow as learners.
Excellent resource!
This book is a must-have resource for teachers in the primary grades.It is clearly written and full of useful ideas.The importance of learning about words is clear, but it can be boring. This book presents the concept of "word study" and describes children as "word solvers" in a most appealing way, and takes the drudgery out of phonics instruction.The lists in the back (e.g., phonograms) are very handy for a busy reading teacher.
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Subjects:  1. Education    2. Education / Teaching    3. Elementary    4. Elementary School Language Arts    5. English language    6. Language arts    7. Orthography and spelling    8. Phonetic method    9. Reading    10. Study and teaching    11. Teaching Methods & Materials - Reading    12. English    13. English language: spelling    14. Teaching of a specific subject    15. Teaching Methods - General   

Reviews (13)

Making Words
This book is great!There are many word activities to choose from, which I find very helpful and a time saver!

Primary/ ESL class must have!
This book is wonderful for primary grades as well as ESL classes. It's interactive and the kids love it. We use it every morning when we enter the "Wonderful World of Words." There is also a Making Big Words for intermediate grades!I definitely recommend it!

Best spelling book!
This is the best spelling book I have seen. I am a homeschooling mom of 2 boys (9 & 8) and this is the easiest method and they enjoy it too! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Education    2. Education / Teaching    3. Language Experience Approach    4. Phonetics & Phonics    5. Spelling    6. Teaching Methods & Materials - Classroom Planning    7. Teaching Methods & Materials - General    8. Teaching Methods & Materials - Language Arts    9. Juvenile Nonfiction / Language Arts / Vocabulary & Spelling   

Reviews (2)

Review of Natural Speller
The book is laid out in an orderly and well-thought-out format.This book has been very helpful in planning my homeschooling curriculum.

The ONLY spelling resource you will need - grades 1-8
I have been homeschooling my oldest daughter for five years, and, due to her learning disabilities, we have spent alot, and have tried everything available.Natural Speller was a breakthrough for us.It is a parent/teacher resource book, with the parent/teacher pulling together weekly spelling assignments from the Word Lists in Natural Speller, based upon the child's specific needs and areas of weakness - no need to teach what the child already knows!Read more

Subjects:  1. Education    2. Education / Teaching Methods & Materials / Arts & Humanities    3. Language Arts & Disciplines    4. Language Arts & Disciplines / Spelling    5. Orthography and spelling    6. Spelling    7. Teaching Methods & Materials - Arts & Humanities   

Reviews (1)

Great spelling book for those who need help with basic spelling
My second son has a terrible time spelling and this book has really helped him.It starts with very simple rules of spelling that are easy to remember.It uses the dictionary as one of it's tools too! ;-)We are very happy with the book!!!!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Education    2. Education / Teaching    3. Elementary    4. Language Arts & Disciplines    5. Spelling    6. Teaching Methods & Materials - Language Arts    7. Teaching Methods & Materials - Reading    8. Education / Teaching Methods & Materials / Reading   

Reviews (10)

Good but not great
This book is not encyclopedic as I was expecting, much of its merit is in the exercise section. For school instuctors, this book might be perfectly suitable, but for readers who are more interested in linguistics, historical etymologies...this one just isn't enough. Too few resources I have to say.
A tremendous asset to teachers and students
This is the book of choice for use in my classroom. Students find it easy to use and understand. For my purposes, I find the book to be logically arranged and clearly written. It is very accessible, and I encourage students, teachers, and philologists alike to use it. Nice Book!!
I found what I have been looking for! A book who extends your English vocabulary systematically. I strongly recommend this book particularly for English learners. (I'm from Turkey)Read more

Subjects:  1. English language    2. Foreign Language - Dictionaries / Phrase Books    3. Foreign elements    4. General    5. Greek    6. Influence on English    7. Latin    8. Latin language    9. Linguistics    10. Spelling   

Reviews (7)

It Works!
Thanks, Marlene and Bob, for giving us this how-to...kids catch on so quickly, and they love the power of learning and succeeding. I especially like basing their learning on their own language and interests. I feel like this book gets to what we knew was right, but just couldn't seem to pull together. THANK YOU FOR HELPING US BE BETTER TEACHERS! But most of all, thank you for giving children the power to learn well. They really enjoy themselves!

1 is too many stars for this book....
The first grade lessons are simply phonemic awareness exercises.Spelling implies being able to write the word correctly and using the phonetic approach makes a lot of sense but this book does not.
Spelling through Feeling... :)
WOW!When I first read "Spelling Through Phonics," my whole attitude towards teaching spelling was radically changed.The McCrackens clearly and concisely lay out a spelling program that can work for anyone in any school-- no matter what!I have used it from the inner city school, to the county school, to the private "college prep" type school.It works.Rather than teach a child to "hear" the sounds for spelling, the McCrackens advocate using how a sound "feels" to write.We can actually feel more sounds than we hear.But not only does the book lay our a plan, but it also gives you everything you need to run the plan-- including word lists, sample lessons, and hand outs to go with the lessons!What an incredible program! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alphabet    2. Children's All Ages - Language Arts    3. Education    4. Professional Development    5. Spelling    6. Teaching Methods & Materials - Reading    7. Educational psychology   

Subjects:  1. Examinations    2. SAT & PSAT    3. SAT (Educational test)    4. Scholastic Assessment Test    5. Study Aids    6. Study Guides    7. Test Prep    8. Vocabulary    9. Vocabulary tests    10. English    11. English language: spelling    12. Higher & further education    13. Study Aids / SAT & PSAT (Scholastic Assessment Test & Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test)   

Reviews (2)

Older struggling readers
I teach Title 1 disadvantaged reading students, most are learning English as a second language.I did a word a day with my 6th, 7th , and 8th graders.The making words lessons allowed me to introduce vocabulary, point out spelling patterns, talk about vowel variances, and talk about how our words are made up.I asked them to write the words as well as manipulate the letters.Sometimes, I asked them to group the words if there were several words with the same spelling pattern.

Great book for Phonics & Spelling Gr.3-5
This is a great how-to book for one specific phonics & spelling teaching strategy.It has made a big difference in my third graders ability to sound out unknown words and incorporate their knowledge ofspelling patterns.Making Words is geared for K-3rd.Making Big Words isfor 3rd thru 5th graders.It's a hands-on approach and it is veryadaptable.You can do it just as suggested or adjust it to your students'particular need.It includes hundreds of lessons.It can also be used incoordination with thematic units that you may be using in your room.Agreat resource.Worth every penny.I just love Patricia Cunningham! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Education    2. Education / Teaching    3. Language Experience Approach    4. Phonetics & Phonics    5. Spelling    6. Teaching Methods & Materials - General    7. Teaching Methods & Materials - Language Arts    8. Juvenile Nonfiction / Language Arts / Vocabulary & Spelling   

Subjects:  1. English language    2. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    3. Orthography and spelling    4. Reference    5. Spelling    6. Writing Skills    7. Reference / Writing Skills   

Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Language    3. Language Arts & Disciplines    4. Sales & Selling - Techniques    5. Selling    6. Spelling    7. Business & Economics / Sales & Selling    8. Sales & marketing   

Reviews (18)

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
AMERICAN BEE is a great slice of Americana.James Maguire brings, a seemingly mellow subject of the Spelling Bee to new excitements, if only I had I known Spelling Bees were that much fun when I was younger!!!!Although many words are impossible to enunciate, the book is undoubtedly impossible to put done!Bravo, not only to James on a fantastic book, but to the talented and brilliant students he wrote about!

From One Who Knows
Up front I will confess my prejudice about this book:I'm in it, albeit as a minor historical character.For me the spring months of 1958, 1959, and 1960 were largely taken up by study of word lists, culminating in three shots at the National Spelling Bee.
recommended reading for "word nerds"
American Bee is a sports story (the Bee is shown each year on ESPN), a story for kids, adults, and a story about our difficult, quirky English language.The reader will go on the journey with several spellers, all the way to D.C.You find they are still normal kids, coming from many different backgrounds, but all with the same passion, drive and determination and hard work it takes to get there.James Maguire spent time with them, and tells their wonderful, captivating story.After watching the latest movies regarding the Bee, and being a former elementary school Spelling Bee champion, I grabbed this book off the shelf when I saw it.I wasn't disappointed, and I highly recommend it for everyone, even if you aren't a "word nerd." ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Education / Teaching    2. Elementary    3. Language    4. Language Arts & Disciplines    5. Popular Culture - General    6. Spelling    7. Spelling ability    8. Spelling bees    9. Testing    10. United States    11. Non-Classifiable   

Reviews (1)

Makes spelling fun and less mysterious
In an excellent follow-up to his book on grammar, the author again constructs clever and witty approaches to this difficult and mysterious area of learning.He makes spelling fun. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Education    2. Education / Teaching    3. English language    4. General    5. Orthography and spelling    6. Spelling    7. Study and teaching (Elementary)    8. Teaching Methods & Materials - Reading    9. Teaching Methods & Materials - Workbooks   

Reviews (1)

This is an excellent book for learning spelling skills.
I used this book as a spelling curriculum when homeschooling my 12-14 year old sons. Rather than having children memorize lists of words, it actually focuses on the rules and skills needed to spell ANY word. The chapters werewell-organized and the exercises were effective. Since completing the book,we have been using it as a reference. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alphabet    2. Foreign Language - Dictionaries / Phrase Books    3. General    4. Language    5. Spellers    6. Spelling    7. Study Aids / General   

Subjects:  1. Education    2. Education / Teaching    3. Elementary    4. Grammar    5. Spelling    6. Teaching Methods & Materials - Arts & Humanities    7. Teaching Methods & Materials - Language Arts   

Subjects:  1. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    2. Spelling