Dyslexic Spelling Books

[wheresthebeach]

My DD is dyslexic and in primary we did the Apples & Pears books. They worked really well but her spelling has now suddenly taken a dip. She's Yr 7 so I think there is so much else going on that having to concentrate on spelling is a step too far.

I want to start working with her again...any recommendations for good resources for an 11 year old. So much seems to be aimed at primary school kids...

Do you have this already?
www.thedyslexiashop.co.uk/a-c-e-spelling-dictionary-3rd-edition.html

Thanks...will take a look.

I like this spellingtutor.co.uk

Thanks Wild that looks good. The Nessy site seems to young...

I've used Nessy. I really don't like it.

It looks a bit gimmicky..

Nessy is very gimmicky, but it's also not very good.

I don't like any of the spelling programs that group all the words with the same spelling pattern together. i.e. igh or kn, because then you just have to know that to complete this level you always have to use igh or kn, but you don't have to think about it.

So when you want to spell those words in real life, you don't remember whether to use igh or i-e or kn or n.

Also once you complete a level there's no more repetition of the word. Nessy thinks you've learned it. But of course you haven't yet.

My daughter's not known to be dyslexic but spelling has always been a weak spot; after 3 years of reassurances that her spelling was great it was year 7 when a teacher said, she does really well on a spelling test but here are some examples of things that are a problem in her written work... and I said "finally someone else thinks there is an issue". I suspect that the increase in written work at this level plays a role. For us just highlighting mistakes for correction sufficed, but obviously your daughter may well need a bit more.

If you feel that "basic" spelling of individual words had been mastered in the past, perhaps to focus on finding material that reinforces spelling in context will be the key. Sorry I can't recommend resources.

(for the record, my husband recalls being highlighted as the worst speller in his (selective) school at year 7 after a test; still has hang-ups about it but went on to be 2nd in that school, multiple degrees, lecturer ...)

Remembering in sentences is the issue. She always ace's spelling tests! It's when she's having to think about content that the errors arrive. I agree Wild that system wouldn't work for us. She's do just fine if it's just remembering certain endings...sigh.

Maybe we'll just work on common mistakes and then try spelling Tutor. I think the Nessy learning to type looks okay so we may start doing that.

Thanks for your post Python; I realise spelling isn't the be all and end all but it can be a pain. Will do some sentence work with her and see how we go.

Can recommend Alpha to Omega. If you do that, look at Hands on Teaching (Google) for lots of exercises.

Or, for cheap, go for violet Brand spelling book level 3. It's purple. Spelling is tested using a dictation. Use playdoh and magnetic letters for her to make the words to learn them.

thanks Flapping - I'll take a look.

My son has had terrible problems with spelling and has recently had dyslexic diagnosis. We did apples and pears at home which he hated and then they stopped the teachers books being viewable online (I used to use them and buy the workbooks).

He is Y8 now and for a yeastrsz has been doing this

www.readandspell.com

It teaches touch typing in the spelling patterns from Alpha and Omega. We do it at a class run by the dyslexia association but you could do it at home. We had previously tried nessy fingers and nessy spelling and Mavis beacon typing.

His school is also getting him to do this

www.arrowtuition.co.uk

Thanks Reup. Read and spell looks better than Nessy. Expensive mind...