Natural Speller

Natural Speller is a multi-grade spelling resource covering grades 1-8, and can also be used as a reference guide for high school. It is not just a list of spelling words, although several lists are included. Natural Speller begins with instructions for why and how to teach spelling, and also instructs students in how to study a word. Following these introductory remarks are grade-level lists of words typically taught at each level. These words are grouped according to sight/sound patterns, which is how the author recommends the words be studied. After each grade-level list is a section on spelling and grammar skills that should be mastered at that level.

The second half of the book gives instructions and suggestions for activities to teach and reinforce spelling and other related skills. There are sections for dictionary skills, grammar skills, and building vocabulary. Each activity gives a suggested grade level where it would be most appropriate to use. Following this is an extensive section of words by category, along with suggested activities to use when learning these words.

In the Teaching Aids section there are lists of spelling rules and a reference chart of spelling consonant sounds and spelling vowel sounds. Following this are writing rules pertaining to capitalization, punctuation, prefixes and suffixes and their meanings.

In the back of the book are samples showing the proper format for a friendly letter, a business letter and a dictionary page. These are followed by a glossary of terms which gives short, easily understood definitions for many of the terms used in this book.

With a retail price of $22, this book is a good investment that can be used to teach spelling to all students at all grade levels. It is totally non-consumable and can last for many years. It is written in an easy-to-read style which is a plus for busy homeschool moms (and dads) and enables us to pick up the book and start using it right away, without having to spend a lot of time learning how to implement this curriculum.