Demme Learning’s Spelling You See curriculum is a unique, research-based homeschool spelling curriculum with seven levels that follow the developmental stages of language development. Developed by Dr. Karen Holinga, Spelling You See allows students to develop spelling skills naturally and at their own pace with their teacher’s direction and encouragement. Relying upon visual memory that's built through repeated reading and repeated writing, students will learn spelling through short daily activities that integrate copywork, reading, speaking, and listening, rather than relying on rote memorization for weekly tests.
Spelling You See Level A: Listen and Write is designed for young students as they move from the Preliterate Stage to the Phonetic Stage (see the "Spelling You See Philosophy" link above for an explanation of each stage). Following stages, not grade level, this level is for a beginning reader who is still learning letter names and sounds and how to hold a pencil properly when writing. Thirty-six lessons focus on lowercase letter formation, consonants, and short vowels. Each lesson is divided into five parts (A through E); each is a daily, one-page worksheet designed to be completed in approximately 10 minutes. The first 15 lessons feature three-letter words and introduce one short vowel at a time. Later lessons progress to four and five letter words. Letter boxes help children learn sound-to-letter correspondence, which emphasizes the process of creating a word from individual sounds, as well as correct pencil grip and correct letter formation.
The Student Workbook features a checklist for students to start their lesson. Early lessons begin with room to trace and write featured letters and boxes in which they can trace and write the letters dictated to them from the Instructor's Handbook. Later lessons provide boxes to fill in with the dictated letters. Included stickers can be used to match a word from the day's lesson, or as a reward for a job well done. 183 pages, consumable, non-reproducible softcover with sticker sheets stickers and a glossy handwriting chart.
The Instructor's Handbook features the philosophy and overview for the program, frequently asked questions, as well as short instructions for each lesson. This is followed by daily dictation lists (organized by lesson) needed for students to complete their work and general dictation lists with words arranged by phonetic principles (short “a” words, five letter words with digraphs). 46 pages, softcover.
This set includes:
- Spelling You See A Instructor Handbook,
- Spelling You See A: Listen and Write Student Workbook
When determining placement, these are questions to ask:
- Can my student focus on a worksheet for at least 10 minutes?
- Can my student identify most of the letters of the alphabet?
- Can my student write letters?
- Can my student write fairly comfortably?
- Does my student understand that letters make sounds?
If you answered "Yes" to all these questions, your child is ready to begin Listen and Write.
