All About Spelling Level 1 Review & Giveaway

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After teaching two of my children how to read with a piecemeal phonics curriculum, I decided to change things about a bit for child #3 and try out a phonics program that I didn’t throw together myself.  I had heard so many great things about All About Spelling from All About Spelling, so after a little more research of my own, I decided to make the purchase.  Both my daughter and I have been enjoying it from day one and she has made so much progress in the past year.  Since we had such success with All About Reading, it was only natural that I would want to try out All About Spelling to go along with our phonics curriculum.  I had been planning on starting All About Spelling with my daughter this year, and the opportunity to review it came up at just the right time.

All About Spelling Review & Giveaway

For our review, we received:

All About Spelling ($29.95) which includes:

  • Teacher’s manual – $17 if purchased separately
  • Student Packet (includes, flashcards, 5 colored tokens, progress charts, and Certificate of Achievement) – $14.95 if purchased separately

All About Spelling ($44.85) which includes:

  • Letter Tiles – $11.95 if purchased separately
  • Magnets for Letter Tiles – $5.95 if purchased separately
  • Spelling Review Box – $9.95 if purchased separately
  • Divider Cards for Box – $4.95 if purchased separately
  • Spelling Tote Bag – $14.95 if purchased separately
  • Sparkling Bee Stickers – $1 if purchased separately
  • Phonograms Sound App – FREE
  • Phonograms Sounds CD-ROM (this item does not come in the kit, but I received it for my review; you can purchase it for $14.95 while supplies last)

The Interactive Kit is a one-time purchase that you will use through all seven levels of All About Spelling.  This will cut down the cost as you move through each level, and it’s even more cost effective if you use it with subsequent students.

AAS Review 1

You know your child is ready to start spelling instruction when your child is ready to learn to read.  All About Spelling recommends staring all children at level 1 unless they have worked with a phonics-based program before; if they have, you can start with Level 2.  If you are also using All About Reading, All About Learning suggests starting All About Spelling Level 1 after completing the All About Reading Pre-reading Program and Level 1.  If you need more help deciding which level is right for you, you can contact All About Reading and/or read Which Spelling Level Should We Start With?

Besides the initial prep work, there is very little to do to get ready for each step.  The initial prep work consists of separating the letter tiles and affixing the magnets to the back and separating the flashcards and placing them behind the appropriate divider in the Spelling Review Box.  This doesn’t take long, maybe 30-60 minutes; you could even pawn off the task to an older student if you have one available in your home.  After that, the course is pretty much open and go – something I really appreciate as a mom of 7.

AAS Review 2

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Instead of lessons, the course is broken down into steps.  Level 1 consists of 24 steps that you progress through at your child’s pace.  Some steps might take 1 day to complete, some might take 2, and some may even take a week or more.  It all depends on how many days per week you devote to spelling and on your child’s ability and maturity level.

The Steps

The first step helps you evaluate which phonograms your child knows and which ones still need to be taught or reinforced.  This step alone could take several weeks depending on how well your child knows the letter sounds.

After step 1, each step starts out with a short description of what your student will learn in that step and the supplies you will need.

AAS Review 8

You will begin each step with some review before you move on to the ‘New Teaching.’  If your child needs additional practice, there is a reinforcement section at the end of the steps with more words your child can practice spelling, as well as some dictation exercises.

The review sections consist of reviewing the flashcards, alphabetizing the letter tiles and some word segmenting practice.

In the ‘New Teaching’ section you will introduce and practice the new concepts through the use of the flashcards, letter tiles, spelling on paper, and the colored tokens (for help with segmenting words).

AAS Review 6

AAS Review 7

You can visit the All About Learning website to view the Scope and Sequence and Table of Contents to find out what is covered in each step.

The Cards

Phonograms Cards
There are 32 yellow Phonograms Cards for visual and verbal review.  You hold up the card and your child says the sound or sounds that the phonograms makes.

AAS Review 13

Sound Cards
The 32 red Sounds Cards offer aural and tactile review.  You dictate the sound and your child writes down the letter or letters that make that sound.

AAS Review 14

AAS Review 15

Key Cards
Sixteen blue Key Cards are used to reinforce new concepts.  You read and review them with your child.

AAS Review 9

AAS Review 16

Word Cards
The green Word Cards each contain a word that your child will learn to spell in Level 1.  They provide aural, verbal, and tactile review when you dictate the word and have your child segment and write the words.

AAS Review 17

The Manual

The Teacher’s Manual will walk you through each step.  Each step is clearly laid out, easy to follow, and lightly scripted, making this curriculum user-friendly and easy to execute.

At the beginning of the manual you will find some helpful articles on multisensory learning, phonograms, getting your Letter Tiles and Spelling Review Box ready, and six steps to teaching the All About Spelling Method.

There are also lots of tips, reminders, and helpful hints throughout the manual which helps reassure you that you are on the right track.

At the back of the book in the Appendix, you will find the Scope and Sequence of Level 1, a list of the phonograms taught in Level 1, an alphabetical list of the words taught in Level 1, and the procedure for spelling with tiles (which you can also find in Step 6 when the procedure is introduced).

AAS Review 3

The Phonograms Sound App is a wonderful addition to the program.  It allows you to have the phonogram pronunciations right at your fingertips.

I’m using All About Spelling Level 1 with my first grade daughter who is 7.  We started it when we were about half way through with All About Reading Level 1.  We are using the curriculum 3-4 days per week.  The first several steps we were able to finish in one day and then I began to space the lessons out and do them over a 2 or 3 day period.  We will go over the new teaching material one day and spell with the Letter Tiles, then we will spell on paper the next day, and then we will finish up the step on another day with the reinforcement material.  Even if we are not starting a new step we will do a little bit of review each day.  We end each step by putting a sparkling bee sticker on the progress chart – I think that is my daughter’s favorite part.

AAS Review 12

I am very pleased with All About Spelling Level 1.  I was trying to get away from the weekly-spelling-list spelling curriculum, and All About Spelling provides that alternative.  I don’t want my kids to just memorize weekly lists, but rather learn the reasons and rules for why we spell words the way we do.

I really appreciate the hands-on learning aspect of the Letter Tiles and the easy to follow teacher’s manual.  I like that the program is not based on grade level and that you can adjust it to meet the needs and pace of each individual child.  My daughter has enjoyed the program as well, especially the Letter Tiles.  I will definitely continue using this program with my younger children as the come up the ranks.

To buy it:

Go to the All About Spelling site to look at the levels offered and decide which one will work best for your child.

To win it:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

  HHM Review Disclaimer

Sarah is the JOYful wife of Jorge, the JOYful mother of 7 blessings, and a JOYful servant to the Most High God. She has been JOYfully homeschooling since 2007, using an eclectic approach. Sarah left her working-mom-of-2 mentality and plans at the door when the Lord came knocking on it in 2002. Now, as a born-again, stay-at-home, homeschooling mom of many, she couldn’t imagine life any other way! Sarah has a heart for moms, and uses her blog, My Joy-Filled Life, to minister to and encourage other mothers. You will find her writing and sharing about the joys of big family living, her faith, homeschooling, homemaking, and whatever the Lord lays on her heart. In her free time (what’s that?), Sarah enjoys baking (but not the clean-up), dabbling in photography, and running.

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137 Comments

  1. I would really like level 3. We’ve done level 1 and are almost done with level 2. Thanks so much for the chance to win this, we love AAS

    Reply

  2. I’d love to win Level 5. I’ve used 1-3 with my oldest and getting ready to start level 4 now. We love AAS!

    Reply

  3. I would love to win the level 3!! I love this curriculum and I can’t wait for school to start again!

    Reply

  4. I’d love to win this have been very interested in trying out the program on my daughter who has dyslexia

    Reply

  9. We tried AAS last year for the first time too. We love it! Getting away from the weekly spelling lists was one of the best things we could have done! My daughter’s spelling, and her confidence in her spelling, has improved so much since we started with AAS! Like you, after the success of AAS I decided to check out All About Reading now too 🙂 We’ll be getting into that in the fall. Thanks for sharing your review and giving us a chance to enter for a free level of AAS! I was going to order our next level anyway, but I’ll wait and see if I’m lucky enough to win it for free first 😉

    Reply

  16. I would absolutely love to win AAS Level 1 for my kids. I’ve been looking for a program that works for a long time. This looks perfect!

    Reply

  17. I bought level 1 in the spring and will start using it with my daughter this fall. I would love to win level 2 so we can continue on our All About Spelling journey!

    Reply

  18. Oh how I would love to win this for my two little learners! Both of them are ready for more formal instruction.

    Reply

  20. Thank you very much for the opportunity! We are using AAS Level 1 this coming year, so I’d love to win Level 2.

    Reply

  22. I am seriously considering using All About Spelling Level 1 this year with my 7 year old. it would be such a blessing to win it, instead of purchasing.

    Reply

  23. I’d love to win Level 1! I have been planning on starting my d 6 year old with this program after being totally frustrated with the weekly spelling list method which was not at all helpful. She is a fabulous reading and I though spelling would come naturally but not so!

    Reply

  24. Level one! We are just starting our homeschool journey and definitely plan to use all about learning products, so this would be a great start.

    Reply

  28. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity. We are transitioning to All About Reading this year, and I know I want to start All About Spelling this year sometime too, but have been waffling because of the cost of getting both programs at once. What a blessing it would be to win the spelling program!

    Reply

  31. We finished AAR 1 and are mid-way through AAS 1. Excited to start level 2 in both as well as do the pre-reading with my youngest!

    Reply

  37. We LOVE All About Spelling! My son was struggling in public school with spelling, so I pulled him out and started homeschooling. He went through Levels 1 and 2 and we are halfway through Level 3. I’m hoping to start him on Level 4 this fall!

    Reply

  38. Thank you so much for your review. I have been trying to decide if I should use this with my daughter in the fall. This was very helpful in my decision making.

    Reply

  39. I love All About Learning Press! We already have AAR 1, AAR 2, and AAS 2. I would be thrilled to win AAS 2! Thank you for hosting this giveaway 🙂

    Reply

  40. I can’t wait to start AAS. I did AAR Pre-reading last year and loved it. I’m ready to start Level 1 along with AAS. It would be amazing to get it fro free!

    Reply

  42. We would LOVE to win AAS Level 1. I already ordered AAR1 for my upcoming 2nd grader who struggles in this area. I want to use AAS for my upcoming 6th grade son who needs spelling improvement. I have done much research on this & other programs & cannot wait to use All About Learning products in our school – I know it will yield great results!

    Reply

  47. I would love to try this program with my son. I think Level 4 would be a good start for him. 🙂

    Reply

  57. We just started Level 1 and love it. He can’t get enough spelling. Would love to win Level 2 to move into next.

    Reply

  58. I’d love to win!! We are just starting our first year of homeschooling, next month & this would help tremendously!!! Level 1 please!!! 🙂

    Reply

  59. We are starting our 1st year homeschooling in September 2014. I would love to win Level 1 to help teach my boys (1-dyslexic).
    Your programs look wonderful!

    Reply

  62. We love All About Spelling and Reading. Just finishing up Spelling level one about to start level 2 =) Our kids skills are improving after just half a school year with AAS. Worth every penny! We would love to win level 3.

    Reply

  64. Thanks for the review, great post with lots of great information. I would like to win AAS Level 2 (we have level 1).

    Reply

  67. Sarah, great explanation!! My grandson is just finishing All About Reading Pre-Reading Level, and we’ll be starting Level 1 soon. I wasn’t sure when to add All About Spelling Level 1 to the sequence, and you really made that clear. Thanks! After I’ve taught these levels with him, I plan to add them to my tutoring program.

    Reply

  77. I love this review. Thank you so very much for going into such detail! It is great for those of us that are visual learners or like to see something “done” before we do it / use it on our own. Thank you!!!!

    Reply

  78. Thank you so much for this opportunity. I have heard so many good things about AAS and it seems like it would be a good fit for us. Starting our first year of homeschooling this year (2nd grade), but would like to start at the beginning with Level 1. Also have a toddler I can use this with later on.

    Reply

  83. We just completed All About Reading level 1 and All About Spelling level 1 is on my purchase list for this fall. We can’t wait to try it!!

    Reply

  84. I am starting homeschool for my 1st grade grandson and this seems to be an awesome program. Thanks for the chance to win. I am looking into purchasing All About Reading also.

    Reply

  85. This is a good idea. my daughter is going into the 5th grade and she has problems speeling. this would be great to have and for me to try to win this.

    Reply

  88. Thanks for the detailed review! I have been using All About Reading with my daughters and we love it. Adding All About Spelling seems like a great (and logical) next step!

    Reply

  89. I’d love level three! I have a struggling speller and we’re beginning our transition from public school into homeschool this coming school year. I’ve already got levels one and two and I just know they are going to do great things for him!

    Reply

  91. I’ve heard great things about about All About Spelling/Reading. This will be my first year to hs my dd. I would love to win this for our family to enjoy our first year.

    Reply

  93. I would love to win level 1! Last year was our first year doing All About Reading with the younger kids and we really like it. Thinking of doing AAS this year.

    Reply

  94. Taught the first 3 how to read using 100 easy lessons; kid number 4 is struggling. Would love to win this and try something different! Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!

    Reply

  98. We tried a different curriculum last year and it was so dry! We are excited to try what I’m told is a very interactive, helpful way to learn to spell. I think level 2 would be perfect for my son, aged 8. We learned all the phonograms with our old program, but he needs more instruction. Thanks for hosting the giveaway!

    Reply

  99. I would love to get any of them! We are just starting to homeschool our kids and we have kids going to be in 3rd and under so I am for sure looking at getting the first couple this year, but would love to get all of them! Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply

  100. would love to win this. I have spent countless hours researching curriculum to use for second grade for my twin boys. Last year was a frustrating time for us all and just discovered All About Spelling this week and think it would be just what my boys need…but cannot afford it right now. Winning this would honestly be such a blessing.

    Reply

    1. I was so excited I commented before clicking to see what I was suppose to say =). I would love to have the level 1, 4-7. I have a 3 year old who loves using the phonogram app and I have a 7 year old that reads on a 4th grade level who I am having trouble finding where to start with him.

      Reply

  107. We would like Level 1, i have never used this program and was just recommend it by a friend. would be great to use with my two young children. One would will just start school and the other who is struggle with reading! Good Luck to everyone!

    Reply

  109. Hello! I am new to homeschooling and would love to use All About Spelling for my first grader! 🙂

    Reply

  113. I love this review!! It was incredibly helpful to me for deciding whether or not to go ahead with this spelling program. Thank you! I would be interested in level two!

    Reply

  114. Oh my goodness I would love to have level 3!! This looks like an awesome spelling curriculum. I’ve been looking for something that would work for my son. fingers crossed!!

    Reply

  115. My youngest is finishing up kindy at home and we’re still working on reading, I’d love to win a level of AAS! 🙂

    Jewels

    Reply

  116. I have heard amazing things about this program!! Levels 1 or 2 would be an amazing blessing to win!

    Reply

  117. I’ve been looking for a tactile approach to spelling instruction and am excited to learn more about this curriculum!

    Reply

  120. How exciting! I’m desperate for a new spelling program for my 13 year old and would love to win this! Would want level 1 or 2!

    Reply

  122. I would love to start Level 1 with my little one! I have been looking into adding both All About Reading and All About Spelling for next years curriculum.

    Reply

  127. Excited about the give away!!! We will be starting our first year of homeschooling this August!!!! This program looks fun!!! Any level would be awesome to have!!! 🙂

    Reply

  128. I’d love to win level 1 and the kit! I just discovered All About Spelling at my Classical Conversations practicum and LOVE it! I plan on reviewing with my rising 2nd grader and starting it with my kindergartner when she is ready.

    Reply

  129. I’m new to HS, this fall will be our first year, and considering All About Reading for my kindergartener. Thanks for the information. I was wondering when to start each program

    Reply

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