Spelling for Christian Schools

Bob Jones University Press

Spelling for Christian Schools is a traditional program that builds upon phonics and structural elements of words in the early grade levels, shifting more toward word origins and history at upper levels. There are a student workbook and teacher edition for each level. You will probably want to use the teacher edition for some instructional information as well as for your answer key. This means that your best buy is the "kit" for each level that includes both books.

First Grade

At this level, spelling reinforces the phonics and spelling patterns taught in Phonics and Reading 1. One section, “King’s English,” ties one word in each weekly list to Scripture and doctrinal teaching. The home teacher edition presents strategies for teaching spelling, including beginning dictionary skills.

Second Grade

This text teaches spelling patterns based upon phonics and common structural generalizations. It also includes an introduction to dictionary skills and composition work.

Third Grade

This worktext teaches generalizations using word families and also includes journal writing and interesting information about the history of words. Inductive methods are presented in the teacher’s edition--the teacher asks questions to help children discover the spelling generalizations for themselves. “Spelling Generalizations” and “Structural Generalizations” at the back of the book are helpful. “King’s English” lessons can also serve as significant Bible lessons, although the random topics make them most suitable as supplements.

Fourth Grade

In this worktext students continue to work on structural analysis while learning more about word histories (interesting!) and dictionary skills. They also learn to spell the names of the books of the Bible.

Fifth Grade

This worktext includes the study of word origins and dictionary use as well as writing experiences. Students continue to study structural patterns within words, particularly looking for relationships between similar words that will help with spelling and meaning. The teacher’s edition is recommended primarily for answers but also for the methods for teaching topics such as related word pairs.

Sixth grade

At this level, word origins and their relationship to spelling are emphasized as students continue to study patterns and word relationships. Writing exercises for application are included. The home teacher’s edition is useful as an answer key and also for the lists of Greek and Latin prefixes and meanings.