Apples and Pears Spelling Programme, Indigo Bell/SENCOs

[Tiggles]

Well after being told last year that DS1 was spelling at his chronological age, after previously being behind, I was a little when I got him to write during the summer. So I took Indigo Bell's advice on a previous thread about using Apples and Pears, and have just done an assessment with him, he just about scrapes the test at the end of Book A, so am I right in thinking I just need to start him at the beginning of book B.
Would anyone happen to know what his spelling age is if he can pass Book A? He has just started year 6 so as the scheme says it goes up to age 9.5 and Book D, I am guessing he is very behind?

Would it be reasonable to ask the school if they can do the scheme with him? I work full time so it is late by the time I get them all home from afterschool club, fed and watered etc, so not a good time for him to then start concentrating. Obviously if the school can't/won't I will. Should I offer to buy the scheme for DS, or would they have a budget for it?
Thanks!

He's very behind.

I don't know what 'spelling age' he is, but he's significantly behind.

You can ask school to do it with him - they do with my DD. (But it took 3 years of asking before they agreed.)

I bought the books and gave it to them. Didn't want any hold-ups while they decided if they could afford £30 or not.

There is a SEN budget, but you know how these things are.....

If you have to do it yourself, do it before school.

Thanks Indigo. I will get onto it!

you may as well do it yourself, it takes about 15 minutes max per lesson and is designed with getting kids to get the right answers as often as possible so it is easier than some other things (like homework for example!!) or parents to do at home

Personally if my DS scraped end of book 1 I would NOT start in book 2 but in book 1 - whats the point in skipping stuff that he may not know for the sake of saving 6 weeks? Also, kids that struggle will find it harder to improve if they are under greater pressure, so he may get of to a flying start if you start in book 1

As a SENCO I have bought Apples and Pears to use with pupils because the SEN budget won't stretch that far I'm afraid.
Although it seems expensive to spend money on book 1 when he scraped through the test I would be inclined to start there rather than book 2.

Thanks for the advice.
I've just ordered the complete set so we can start at book 1. Good point about giving him confidence as that is something he is lacking in. I am hoping the school will do it, simply so he can do it in the day when he is 'fresher' but will do it with him otherwise.

Read the stuff when it comes, but i think fairly frequent lessons are recommended, so if the school is only offering one or two sessions a week, I would do it yourself

I see you are planning to start with Book 1 anyway but was going to post that according to the placement tests my DS should have started half way through book 2. However I started him at the beginning of Book 2 and have found that it was the right place - there is lots that he didn't know and it's helped to get him used to the way the A&P system works.

I'm finding it very hard to fit it in now he is back at school and has a load of homework anyway, so during the week we are doing half a level only and whole levels at weekend (but in 2 sessions).

I am finding it hard to fit in too red.
Going to do some tonight and then will have to do it at the weekend.
Not ideal, but he has his homework, reading and now his half term project to do (anyone know how to make a model of a greek trireme? anyone?)
Ds1 is very far behind in spelling so I really need to crack on with a and p...

School were a bit when I asked them (actually managed to catch the SENCO at the end of after school club, staff have normally left by then). But she will ask the class teacher.
Looking forward to the books arriving - they posted them yesterday.

And how to make a Greek Trireme? no idea, but looks like they sell for a fortune on ebay if you make a good one

At the moment my DD does 20 minutes A&P before school. Most days In that time she only manages 1/2 a lesson.

School offered to do it with her this year, but I decided I'd rather do it with her myself.

Anyway, right at the end of last year after asking lots and lots and lots they agreed to do it. I saw the SENCO after she'd been doing it with DD for a week and she thought it was so good that she'd decided to do it with loads of kids this year.

It makes me so mad that they totally ignore me because I'm a parent not a 'professional'

I'm so sick and tired of trying to work with school, when they don't respect me at all.

I intend to start using A&P soon too with DD1 who is just 9 and in Year4. She was diagnosed dyslexic last year and struggles with spelling. SENCO suggested a touch typing course as soon as possible. DD1 just about to start her second round of vision therapy so with that being 20mins per day, adding A&P on top is probably asking too much at this stage.

Vision therapy has made a massive difference though. Even the therapist looked surprised by the level of progress in her last assessment. Would definitely recommend it to anyone if it is an option....bearing in mind it's not cheap....

theres a touch typing program designed by occupational therapist and geared towards this type of child - name escapes me right now but hopefully someone else knows it?