By unofficial review, I mean that I was NOT asked to review the product and I have NOT received ANYTHING AT ALL for reviewing it. I am simply reviewing a product because I LIKE IT and want to tell everyone about it! : ) All reviews contain my honest opinions of products I have actually used. For more details on my “unofficial reviews” click HERE.
I haven’t written one of my unofficial reviews in a long time! Today I’m reviewing the program All About Spelling (AAS). One reason I chose it is because we’re on our third year using AAS, and we still love it!
I first read a review of AAS at Homeschool Creations. I was looking for a new spelling program because my son hated the one we were using. I was so impressed by what I read on that review and others, as well as on the All About Learning Press website, that I ordered the first two books. I began both of my older children (grades 1 and 4 at the time) in Level 1 because each level builds on the one before, and Level 1 contains the basics you need to know for the other levels. My son did progress fairly quickly through the first few books. He’s most of the way through Level 4 at the moment.
Level 4 materials:
There are several things I love about AAS. One is that it is hands-on. They supply you with magnetic phonogram tiles, syllable tiles, flashcards, and other helpful cards and booklets. Also, it is very easy to teach. Everything is laid out in an easy-to-follow way, and it doesn’t require any planning.
This is our spelling board:
(I’m not sure I have the tiles set up the right way, but it works for now. I got this magnetic board at IKEA, and I like it better hanging horizontally, but space prevented that.)
Another thing I like about AAS is that the method makes sense. The program is based on the Orton-Gillingham approach, which was designed for people with dyslexia; however, it is an approach that anyone can use (my children are not dyslexic). In Level 1, you learn the basic sounds/phonograms you need to do the whole program, though you do add harder phonograms as you progress. You also learn about syllables and syllable types in Level 1. This is very helpful in understanding the various rules that are learned later. I never have seen a spelling program that is so thorough and yet so simple to understand. The hands-on aspect brings a bit of fun to spelling, and my kids honestly enjoy their spelling lessons.
Let me add another plus. I’m convinced this spelling program helps with reading as well. In fact, All About Learning Press also has a reading program (All About Reading) that is designed to be used along with the spelling program. If I had to do it over again, I probably would have used their reading program; however, I have one I already have used with success, so I don’t see the point in spending money when I don’t really have to. Even without using their reading program, the spelling rules my daughter has learned have helped a lot in her reading skills.
All About Learning Press is determined that every child learn to read and spell well. For those who wish, the company sends out email newsletters with lots of helpful advice, and they have a blog, forum, and helpful articles on their website. They offer lifetime support and a 100% money-back guarantee. Those are all good things!
My only tiny concern is the levels. While each level may not necessarily correspond to an actual grade level (we go at our own pace—as we finish one book, we go right to the next, no matter what grade they’re in). As far as I can tell, the words in some of the higher levels (4-6) seem a lot easier than spelling words in public school grades 4-6. However, I often wonder if that’s why so many people still have trouble with spelling today—maybe it’s too rushed. I would much rather my children get the basic rules down at an easily-learned rate than to learn all the hard words for a test, only to forget them later and never understand the basic spelling rules.
The only other thing I can think of that might turn some people off is that it can’t really be done independently by the student. The parent/teacher must be involved the whole way through—each day. This is not a problem for me personally; in fact, I think it’s a good thing.
I recently read some comments on facebook comparing AAS to the spelling program we had used before. In that family, the son hated AAS and loved the one my son hated (the mother loved both programs). Hey, every child is different. AAS may not be the program for your family. We love it, though!
I am perfectly satisfied with this program and the way my children are retaining what they’ve learned. They don’t complain about spelling, and I have seen much improvement in their daily writing. I would highly recommend this program to anyone.
