*Congratulations to Margaret Mills our giveaway winner!*
The drawing for this giveaway will take place October 10th. You still have time to get your entry in!
I use Spell to Write and Read with my children for phonics and spelling. I love the program a lot! But it takes a lot of time for me to teach, espcially since I choose to give 3 spelling quizzes every day. With the help of a little inexpensive program called SpellQuizzer, I have cut my active teaching time by an hour a day! This program is useful whether you are a homeschooler or helping your traditionally schooled child study for their weekly test.
SpellQuizzer is a spelling program that helps kids learn their spelling and vocabulary words. It is extremely user friendly and allows me to quickly type the list of words and record a sentence for each word to prompt the children to type. If my children need to review words from a previous list, I can create a special list just for them by grabbing words from a data base of all previously recorded words. There is no rerecording required! I love that I can create the lists in a fraction of the time it sould take me to actually give the test to a child. Once a list is recorded it is available for me to use with the younger chidren when they reach that stage.
When the child uses the program, they hear the word, a sentence using the word and the word again. They type the word and hit enter. If the word is correct they get the next word. If the word is incorrect, they are shown the correct spelling. At the end of the list, the child is given the chance to try again on the missed words.
In addition, the SpellQuizzer web site has pre-made downloadable spelling lists that you can download and use with SpellQuizzer. You can export and share lists with other SpellQuizzer users to share the work load.
My children are really enjoying using SpellQuizzer. It gives their handwriting a little break, and It's fun to hear mom's voice on the computer. To make it even more fun, I can customize the sentences to be funny or special to the child. This is a no frills basic program (no fluffy bunnies or dancing clowns to distract your child) that really works.
Since this program is so awsome, I'm giving a copy away to a lucky reader! To enter to win the giveaway, leave a comment and tell us which spelling program you use.



We enjoy Phonetic Zoo by the Excellence in Writing folks.
Posted by: Cheryl Scott | September 17, 2009 at 05:25 PM
This sounds like exactly what is needed in our house.
Posted by: Heather L. | September 17, 2009 at 05:45 PM
Hi Angela, This sound interesting. I used Spell to Write and Read for the past four years. However, this year, I gave it up, sadly. It just took WAY too long a day, up to two hours. So, I am trying Spelling Power. However, much of it is rubbing my "Spell to Write and Read" heart the wrong way. Maybe this tool would help me cut down on some of that time. Plus the kids LOVE to be on the computer. I could use it like a reward! Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
Posted by: Andrea in NH | September 17, 2009 at 06:19 PM
I've never used a spelling program. My oldest is only in kindergarten. This looks pretty neat. thanks!
Posted by: Monique | September 17, 2009 at 07:17 PM
I haven't used a spelling program. Right now, my 3rd grade daughter brings home a weekly list and I quiz her verbally. Both she and her younger brother are very good on the computer and I think it would be great for them to practice spelling. I think it is neat that you can throw in words from previous quizzes, that way they never forget how to spell a word.
Posted by: Tara Shannon | September 17, 2009 at 07:31 PM
We have tried several different programs, but I usually end up making our own lists. This looks like it would be great for us!
Posted by: Coleen | September 17, 2009 at 08:12 PM
This really sounds great! We've only used www.spellingcity.com which has been pretty useful and fun, but I'm always up for trying something new and think the kids would enjoy it too!
Posted by: karisma | September 17, 2009 at 09:30 PM
My daughter is not old enough for spelling quizes. But at the age of 3, she is showing interest in learning simple words like cat, fat, sat, etc....so I may start early!
Posted by: Amy | September 17, 2009 at 09:47 PM
I have always loved spelling. My oldest daughter is in 1st. grade and she is doing good in spelling. I've been just quizzing her verbally. But she loves to play on the computer (and so does my oldest son who's in Kindergarten.) So I think this would be a neat thing to have!
Posted by: Margaret Mills | September 17, 2009 at 10:46 PM
We will be using Phonetic Zoo as well this year.
Posted by: Kim | September 17, 2009 at 10:54 PM
This sounds interesting. I just started homeschooling my third grader and kindergartener this September. So far I've been printing spelling lists from the internet. This sounds much less random!
Posted by: Stephanie | September 18, 2009 at 01:03 AM
We use SWR too! We are taking a break. My son needed 100 easy lessons to help with reading but then we will be back to SWR. This sounds similar to www.spellingcity.com
Posted by: Jennifer | September 18, 2009 at 07:31 AM
We have four children at home and this would help with the spelling homework. Seems this is the big fight at our house. what other tips does every use to get their children interested in spelling? This software program sounds great.
Posted by: MarDee | September 18, 2009 at 07:57 AM
What a great looking program.
Posted by: Denise | September 18, 2009 at 08:50 AM
This looks like a lot of fun! Thank you for entering my name in the drawing.
Posted by: Mrs. Team S | September 18, 2009 at 09:52 AM
My first grader could really use this program. She is struggling to do things fast enough and I know she just needs to practice. Thanks for your blog!
Posted by: Wendy | September 18, 2009 at 09:57 AM
We'd love to be entered into your drawing. We have 2 children that could really use this. We are using Spelling Power right now, and it's not working for our family. :(
Posted by: Tammy | September 19, 2009 at 07:11 AM
WOW! This sounds wonderful! Right now we just do it the old fashioned way...paper and pencil! I wish I had this when I was in school! Thanks for your blog! I love reading it!
Posted by: Elizabet | September 21, 2009 at 10:38 AM
We've tried several spelling programs at school. Some have worked great with a few of my kids, while another child is still struggling with spelling. This would be an excellent tool to try!
Posted by: Danyelle Ferguson | September 22, 2009 at 08:55 AM
We have tried All About Spelling, but dd's level of frustration was so high last year that I've given her a reprieve until after Christmas. I'm hoping with all the copywork we do that she will at least be picking up something!
Posted by: Pamela Stuck | September 23, 2009 at 05:14 PM
We use spelling power. This is our first year using it and so far i am impressed.
Posted by: Tiffany | September 25, 2009 at 11:18 AM
Hello
I am not sure if this is open to international entries but if it is here is mine :)
I use the old fashioned way of writing the list and practice and cover them up and try to see if they spell them correctly.
busybbee05(at)yahoo(dot)com(dot)au
Posted by: Kym | September 27, 2009 at 07:46 AM
We just started using the McGuffey speller, but I'm not entirely sold on it. I'd love to try something new.
Posted by: Sabrina | October 02, 2009 at 11:31 PM
Hi Angela,
We are using Christian Liberty Press workbooks right now but have used SWR in the past. I'd love to try this program!
Thanks!
Posted by: Susan | October 03, 2009 at 06:34 AM
My daughter is in a VoWac (Vowell Orientated Word Attack Course) Program at school. Both phonics and spelling are related and new rules are practiced in both. My daughter also has a severe language disability, and she has a hard time "hearing" differences in words and recalling words. Since we spend a lot of time working at these skills, I would love to try something new.
Posted by: Erica | October 03, 2009 at 07:46 AM