Spelling books - where could I buy them?

[Concepta]

Our school has recently started using a new curriculum based on "play" and I am not happy with it but theres not much I can do about it. I would like to able to teach my DDs spellings at home - they don't do proper spellings like the way I was taught. In year 1 and 2 they are allowed to write the word whatever way they think - I think they use phonics a lot, but it seems to be by year 3 before they are spelling the words properly. I would like to be able to teach my DD spellings at home but am not sure where to start and thought if I could get my hand on some spelling books it might help. Do any of you know where I could buy them.

How old?

I really do think you should give the play curriculum a go. It really can work well and you will be suprised at how much "work" children actually do even in a play environmment.

It is very common for children to write using phonic awareness in infant classes. And this I believe is good. It shows that they are trying to make sense of everything and not just learning rote. Spelling "properly" develops on from this. As the children learn that there are 2 or 3 ways of making the same sound they will try the different ways - and from their reading abilities (which is often above their writing skills) they will see which one is right and begin to use that.

Getting children to focus on writing content rather than over spellings in early years is great for flow of ideas. They concentrate first on initial sounds, then adding end sounds, and then oputting in the middle bits.

A good teacher knows when to step in and correct spellings. This varies though with individual children.

Even in a play environment I imaguine there will be some elements of "proper" teaching going on.

However, yes such spelling books are available. Look in the education sections of a book shop or on Amazon. People like Lets do them. Some of the cheap book shops also do them at lower prices.

Thank you - yes maybe I am worrying without cause. I had a friends DD over recently who is the same age as my daughter - 6 and she was so much more advanced and could write sentences really well. I started to panic thinking my DD was so far behind. Maybe she will catch up soon. Thanks for your words of wisdom.