Sequential Spelling has 7 levels, which can be purchased individually or as a complete set. The author recommends that no matter what grade your child is in, all students should begin in Level 1. Keep in mind these are levels of the program and not grade levels. The program is extremely easy to use. The author, Mr. McCabe, does an excellent job of explaining the theories behind Sequential Spelling and provides scripting for the first seven lessons of each level. Students start out with only five words, but quickly move to spelling 25 words per day. Sequential Spelling is based on the premise that almost every word in our language follows some pattern. Using these patterns, students can advance from spelling "in" to spelling "beginning" in five days. Because of this, students may be spelling first grade words the same day they are learning words normally covered in fourth or fifth grade. That’s why even an older student who has struggled with spelling needs to start with Level 1. The earlier levels introduce the more basic word patterns and subsequent levels continue to work through more challenging patterns or word families.

Sequential Spelling utilizes a daily spelling test, not to evaluate, but as the tool for learning. Each day follows the same pattern: mom dictates the word and uses it in a sentence; then the child attempts to write the word. Next, mom uses a white board to draw the student’s attention to the pattern and other letters in the word. The child sees the word spelled on the board and compares it with his spelling. If he’s correct they go to the next word, if not, the child immediately erases and writes the word correctly before proceeding. Each word is treated the same way and each daily spelling test usually takes about 20 – 30 minutes. If the child has corrected each word, then they get an A+ for that day’s test. The publisher sells a Student Response Book that has 180 days already numbered and ready for the student to record each day’s words. Although the author gives directions for creating your own response sheets using notebook paper, we have found the Student Response Book helps keep our spelling lessons neat and easy as there are no special papers to prepare. That’s basically it – no more copying words 5 times, writing sentences or doing other exercises. Every 40 days there is a quiz, which serves to evaluate whether or not the student is remembering the patterns that have been covered thus far.

I am using this program with my 13 year-old son and have seen amazing results. Because some of the word patterns are extremely easy for him and he’s anxious to make quicker progress, we have chosen to tackle a list from Level 1 and one from Level 2 each day. This way he is exposed to more difficult patterns in words he is reading and using in his schoolwork, but still getting the reinforcement he needs on the more basic patterns.

As I noted above, mom does need to give the student their spelling test each day. This makes Sequential Spelling more teacher intensive than other programs. However, I really believe that the results are worth the time expended. AVKO is committed to keeping its products affordable and Sequential Spelling is no exception. On their website, they offer eight sample lessons so you can "try before you buy". The author is also available to answer any questions you may have.