7 Best Homeschool Spelling Curriculum Picks
What is the best spelling curriculum for homeschoolers? Do you even need a homeschool spelling curriculum? Or is it a waste of time and money? In this post, I’m going to discuss more than 20 of the best homeschool spelling programs, including online and offline options. We’ll look at manipulative-based programs, and simpler, more affordable options.
But first, let me tell you about my journey with homeschool spelling…
Do I Really Need a Homeschool Spelling Curriculum?
Last year, I wasn't convinced I needed a spelling curriculum on top of my homeschool program.
I decided to do every subject that was recommended except this one.
Big mistake!
What I found was his composition became the most painful part of his (and my) day.
He was constantly asking me to spell every.single.word.
Every morning I would show him how something was spelled.
Then he would ask me exactly the same thing the next day!
Luke really struggled with his Reading subject. We switched just to doing the Spelling curriculum, finished that, and then went back to Reading. It was a good idea!
I eventually realized he needed more drilling to understand the 'why' behind why we spell things the way we do.
Now that Luke's getting to the end of the spelling course, he's started to become a good speller and now even enjoys trying to write compositions on his own.
Writing compositions was something Luke hated to do before studying his spelling program because people couldn't understand anything he wrote!
So I discovered that if you don't teach Spelling in the younger grades, you could have years of frustration ahead of you.
Furthermore, you could have a lousy speller for life.
But in this post, I'll find you a high-quality program that's worth spending your time and money on.
A program that's going to ensure you have an excellent speller for life.
Not only will these programs give you a good speller, but they'll also be programs you and your child will love, sparking joy and enthusiasm in your homeschooling journey.
Rest assured, I've spent many hours researching and compiling this list of favorite spelling homeschool curriculum programs from online homeschooling forums, ensuring you get the best recommendations.
And I'm going to share these with you today.
We'll cover :
the features of each spelling option,
how they compare with each other,
good choices for dyslexia and special needs, and most importantly
the cost of each program.
Let's start by looking at the top spelling curriculum.
I mean, this one was hands-down the top pick by homeschool parents.
Affiliate links used in this post.
1. All About Spelling
Why is that?
It's because it's open-and-go and specifically made for busy parents.
What am I talking about?
This program is scripted and very easy to use.
They use the Orton Gillingham approach, a multi-sensory, structured, and sequential approach to teaching reading and spelling.
It's terrific for anyone and a perfect choice for dyslexic or struggling spellers.
This approach simplifies English and focuses on why words are spelled like they are, helping children understand the logic and patterns in spelling.
AAS teaches phonograms, rules, and patterns that spell most English words.
You might think it would take a while.
But it doesn't.
It only takes 20 minutes a day or less.
The program is also very hands-on with lots of manipulatives, which is quite unusual for a homeschool curriculum.
It's a reason it's universally loved in homeschooling circles!
All About Spelling has seven levels you can purchase.
There is also a manipulative package you will need to purchase, but this will cover you for all seven levels of AAS.
Level 1 costs $65 USD, while Level 7 costs $50.
The manipulatives packet costs $52, covering you for ALL spelling levels and All About Reading (if you choose to do their Reading program, too).
You can't go wrong with this favorite (check it out here); you'll find people rave about this one.
Keep in mind that AAS is secular.
It's also an all-offline/paper-based program.
This is the spelling program I use with my son. I like its biblical worldview and that he can run it completely on his own without my help.
2. BJU Press
But what if you wanted something with a biblical worldview?
Or, perhaps you wanted something with more of an online component?
Perhaps teacher-led video lessons where you don't have to read out a script?
You just have to set up your child with a page for every lesson and watch them go.
It's independent learning at its simplest and best.
BJU Press Homeschool Spelling gives you both the online video lessons and the biblical worldview in its course.
I use BJU Press at home with my son Luke, who loves it.
He's gone from being a rather hopeless speller to lovingly writing me little letters [ hold up, thank you for being a mummy letter] (which I can now understand!!!).
I like BJU Press because it also teaches children the spelling rules behind English words.
When you purchase BJU Spelling, you have three options, but I think the best option is the online Spelling program for $179.
BJU is seriously popular for its Spelling program.
Having used it, I thoroughly recommend it.
3. Spelling-You-See
While BJU Press links spelling courses to grade levels, not all programs do this.
For example, another favorite spelling homeschool curriculum is Spelling-You-See, which gets children to take a placement level (All About Spelling does placement through levels instead of grades, too, like Spelling-You-See).
Spelling-You-See, a secular option, takes this approach because some children can lag behind their 'spelling grades' by up to three years.
Like the previous two programs, Spelling-You-See provides short lessons, so learning is relaxed and bite-sized.
I like that SYS is self-paced so kids can work at their own speed.
Spelling-You-See is a paper-based/offline option, but there isn't time-consuming instructor preparation, making it a good homeschool option.
While I don't have time to go into their exact approach here because it is pretty unusual, if you're interested in this program, take some time to get familiar with their approach.
You can buy each level for around $45-58 USD, which makes this a very affordable program.
4. IEW (Phonetic Zoo)
Another program uses an unusual approach to spelling, which is both through auditory and visual input.
The idea is to listen to a word (through a CD or MP3 file) while doing your workbook.
This program, however, is made for Grades 3 and older (or, if you like, ages nine upwards).
This means if you have kindergarten to grade 2 students, this won't be a suitable spelling homeschool curriculum for your kids.
Phonetics Zoo has three levels.
The programs come with flashcards you can use with all levels (like All About Spelling manipulatives).
Instead of a workbook, children do the course by listening to words and then writing them.
Using 5 CDs and an explanation DVD, students can listen to lessons and complete the world independently, making things easier for parents.
For older students in high school, IEW offers Advanced Spelling and Vocabulary, which uses a similar approach.
If you need help determining where to place your homeschooler, they have placement tests so you can start at the right level.
How much does this secular homeschool spelling curriculum cost?
Each of the three levels cost $99 each.
Or you can get all three programs for $149 (yes, so buying all three is a big saving).
5. Spelling Power (Beverly L. Adams-Gordon)
Another spelling program that has lots of letter tiles and is a very kinesthetic and visual way of learning is Spelling Power.
This secular option is often compared with All About Spelling (AAS).
Unlike AAS, you only need to buy the spelling program once, which covers you forever.
But keep in mind that it's only for 8-year-olds to adults.
In fact, their spelling lists contain some very sophisticated words!
This program includes your basic workbook and textbook, but there are also magnetic letter tiles for fun learning and colored cards.
You can start by having your child take a placement test to see what level they're up to.
Each lesson ends with lots of hands-on skill-building activities to keep kids interested.
You can also download a huge number of teacher resources and student worksheets from their (included) online website.
Compared to AAS and BJU Press, this one requires more time from parents but is very thorough.
Over time, homeschoolers
You can get the basic pack for around $103 and the deluxe pack for $178. Depending on your needs, you can also buy bits and pieces on Amazon.
This looks like an older program, but one that's been tried and tested true.
But for many people with younger children, this program won't fit well.
6. Sequential Spelling
Like AAS and BJU Press, the following program we'll look at, Sequential Spelling, can be done from age six and spans through to age 13 over seven levels.
It also has lots of options.
That is, it comes with books, but you can also do everything completely online if you choose.
It only takes 10 minutes a day and is affordable.
Each level corresponds to a year's worth of material set forth in 180 days.
Another thing to note about the Sequential Spelling homeschool curriculum is that you can do spelling lessons alongside grammar lessons, because they offer these too.
Now, this program isn't flashy.
It's not going to wow you with its graphics and layout.
In fact, its layout is quite boring.
But it's super affordable.
You can buy each level in hard copy from Christian Books for around $30 for their physical, hardcopy program, and their online version for around $20, which covers the teacher's manual and student workbook.
I do like that, like BJU Press, students can hear words spoken in the online version.
Sequential Spelling's online and offline options include the teacher manual and student workbook.
But Sequential Spelling is a secular program.
7. A Reason for Spelling
I'm honestly such a big fan of a gospel-centered homeschool curriculum, though.
That's because, as a Christian, the most important thing to me is teaching my children about Jesus and how to have a relationship with him.
I honestly think all academics, whether it's learning to count or read, come a big second to teaching our kids about the gospel - the good news of Jesus.
That's why I like the next program, A Reason for Spelling.
This program covers Grades 1 through 6 (Level A through to F).
The theme for each week is set in scripture-based stories that teach our kids the Bible while making their spelling curriculum more fun.
Another thing that makes it more fun is that the student workbook has heaps of colorful and engaging student activies.
A Reason for Spelling integrates phonics, writing, and other language arts skills into this curriculum.
The only thing to note with this one is that lessons are quite dependent on the parent, meaning it's not really independent learning and will require more work from a parent than most of the programs on this list.
There's a lot of work here for students, so feel free to skip some of the curriculum and don't feel your kids have to do everything.
You can also buy this program from Christian Books (linked above).
But how much does it cost?
You can get the teacher's manual and the student workbook for around $50, making these reasonably priced spelling lessons!
Other Homeschool Spelling Curriculums
There are lots of programs out there that are going to teach your children to spell well.
Some other recommended programs were:
Spelling Workout
Logic of English
Evan Moore
Spelling to Write and Read
Abeka
Zaner Bloser
www.vocabclass.com
Spellingcity.com
Sing, Spell, Read, Write
Layers of learning writers workshop and word word work
Christian Liberty
Write shop!
Soaring With Spelling
Essentials in writing
Horizons
The Reading Road to Writing.
180 days for spelling
Barton Reading and Spelling - profound/ severe dyslexia
But, from the Facebook forums I visited, the options I covered first in this post were much more popular than the ones I've just listed now.
Which is the Best Spelling Curriculum for Homeschool?
However, you may be feeling overwhelmed and want a recommendation or two.
If so, I'll give you a couple.
All About Spelling is a beautiful option if you want a spelling program with manipulatives - something that's fun and easy to use and only takes 20 min a day.
It's a structured, multi-sensory program that teaches spelling logically and effectively.
It's particularly beneficial for children who struggle with traditional spelling methods, such as those with dyslexia or learning difficulties.
However, this one is secular even though it got more votes on the Christian forum I went to than the Christian programs.
If you want something Christian, go with BJU's spelling program.
But with All About Spelling, did you know they also have a reading program that many people use together?
It's called All About Reading.
If you want a closer look at this program, I've made a review video of it here so you can see exactly what you'll get if you order it.
Go check out the video below.
