Natural Speller
Natural Speller was created by educator and consultant Kathryn Stout, who designed the curriculum to transform poor spellers into confident ones. Stout recognized a common frustration among students who tried memorizing words letter by letter, only to forget them soon after. Her approach is rooted in understanding and applying spelling patterns and rules, offering a more intuitive and lasting grasp of spelling. Stout's significant accomplishments include placing second in the 1999 Practical Homeschooling Reader Awards and receiving honors in subsequent years (Design A Study).
Differentiation: What Makes It Special Natural Speller stands out for its flexibility and adaptability across various learning needs, including those with learning disabilities. It's structured around a single book that covers grades 1 through 8, which simplifies the learning process and eliminates the need for multiple textbooks. This program advocates for a mastery approach, where learning is paced according to the student's capability, making it especially suitable for custom or self-paced learning environments (Design A Study) (Cathy Duffy Reviews).
How to Get Started Starting with Natural Speller involves purchasing the book, which is available in both print and eBook formats. Once obtained, the curriculum allows for significant customization to match the child's specific learning pace and needs (Design A Study).
How It Works Natural Speller is designed to be both parent-led and potentially self-guided for older students. The curriculum recommends daily practice but is flexible enough to accommodate different scheduling needs, making it ideal for homeschool environments where daily routines can vary. The activities include writing and grammar practice, enhancing not only spelling skills but also broader language arts competencies (Design A Study).
Educational Concepts Taught
Basic to advanced spelling rules
Prefixes, suffixes, and word formation
Latin and Greek roots
Homophones, contractions, and commonly confused words
Customizable word lists tailored to each grade level
What’s Good About It Users appreciate Natural Speller for its comprehensive coverage and flexibility, which accommodates a wide range of learner types and speeds. The ability to customize word lists and focus on practical application rather than rote memorization helps students internalize spelling rules more effectively. The structured yet adaptable framework is also praised for helping students with learning disabilities (Homeschool Curriculum Reviews).
What Could Be Improved While Natural Speller is highly adaptable, some users might find the initial setup and customization process daunting. Additionally, the book format, although comprehensive, might not engage learners who prefer more interactive or digital learning tools. Including more online resources or interactive elements could enhance its appeal to a broader audience (Homeschool Curriculum Reviews).
Advice from Parents Parents suggest incorporating regular reviews and practical writing tasks into the daily use of Natural Speller to reinforce the learned concepts. They also recommend adapting the pace and activities to the child’s responses, allowing them to progress naturally and without pressure (Homeschool Curriculum Reviews).
Who It’s an Ideal Fit For Natural Speller is ideal for homeschooling families looking for a comprehensive, customizable spelling curriculum that grows with the child from elementary through middle school. It's particularly suited for those who value a structured, rule-based approach to spelling that also allows for flexibility in pacing and teaching methods (Cathy Duffy Reviews).
Who It’s Probably Not a Fit For This curriculum might not be the best fit for families seeking a highly interactive or digital-first approach to spelling, as well as those who prefer a less hands-on role in their child's daily learning activities due to its somewhat intensive setup and customization requirements (Cathy Duffy Reviews).
Grades: Grades 1-8
Cost: Approximately $38 for either the print or eBook edition (Design A Study).
Ways to Get It: Natural Speller can be purchased through educational resource websites and directly from the publisher’s website.
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