“I’m worried my child isn’t making enough progress.”

Most homeschool parents feel this way at one time or another. We regularly hear from parents who express concern about the progress their child has made—or not made—in reading and spelling.

What Is Spelling Dictation?

Dictation is a great tool for teaching spelling because it allows children to use their spelling skills in a “real world” application. Simply put, you say a phrase or sentence containing their spelling words, and students repeat it and write it down.

Because it is such a beneficial tool, spelling dictation is included in every lesson of All About Spelling.

In honor of pirate lovers everywhere, our own pirate crew took to the high seas to hunt down the very best pirate picture books they could lay their hands on. Lots of children’s books had to walk the plank in the process, but we found the best of the best. No shark chum fer ya here, me hearties!

Have you ever been hangry, used a spork, or ridden a moped?

Read on to discover more about portmanteaus and how to introduce these fun words to kids. And be sure to check out the fun printable game at the end of this post!

What Is Listening Comprehension?

Listening comprehension is the precursor to reading comprehension, so it’s an important skill to develop. Listening comprehension isn’t just hearing what is said—it is the ability to understand the words and relate to them in some way.

Quick poll: Which category is your child in?

1. LOVES to read!
2. Could take it or leave it.
3. Really dislikes reading.

Our goal—and I’m guessing it’s your goal too—is to get your child into the first category.

Have you ever noticed that when you know a lot about a subject, it can actually be harder to teach someone else about it?

This is a common problem, and it’s called the curse of knowledge. The curse refers to the idea that the more you know about a subject, the harder it can be to transfer that knowledge to someone who has limited knowledge of the subject.¹

Have you ever wondered why some words have a double consonant at the end (such as sniff), while other words do not (such as dog and bat)?

The answer is easy–and we call it The Floss Rule. It’s a really simple spelling rule that helps kids remember when to use a double consonant at the end of a word.

Using a multisensory approach can transform your reading and spelling lessons–for both you and your child. Read on to discover exactly what the multisensory approach is and how you can use it. And don’t miss the free printable activities at the end of this post!

Put Your Spelling Skills to the Test!

Can you use the cards in your hand to form one or more words and earn the most points? If so, you can become a Quiddler Junior champion!

Bring the world right into your living room! By sharing books with a wide range of settings, you can discover new lands, people, and customs and expand your child’s cultural horizons—no passport required!

Rev up your engines and get ready to roll! In this fun Drag Race activity, your children will build a race track and race their cars to the finish line as they practice reading and spelling words. Ready, set, go!