Using Spelling to Teach Reading

We just received this great testimonial for Sequential Spelling that emphasizes an important benefit of the series: its ability to teach reading ability (decoding) through the "backdoor" of spelling. Because of the patterned approach, which is emphasized by the use of color to break the words down into their constituent patterns, students will start to spontaneously do this themselves when they attempt to decode new words. They will see the patterns in words they aren't even learning through the course of the spelling program. This is truly powerful! And, this is all without having to drill on phonics, nonsense words, or choral readings.

This is the second AVKO Sequential Spelling book I've bought. We're just finishing the first one, and I have to say, I'm really impressed. My son has dyslexia and has a terrible time reading. Before we starting the Spelling One book, he could barely read at all. After finishing the first book, his reading has improved dramatically. I was truly amazed. I didn't get the spelling book to help with his reading, but instead because I liked the way it taught spelling. And he is learning to spell and doing great at it, BUT, the book also helped him with reading. - Sue M.

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New AVKO Materials: Engaging Language Kits!

AVKO is proud to announce that we have have introduced a new line of supplemental curriculum materials for language arts: Engaging Language Kits (by Brian McCabe).  Each of these seven kits corresponds to one of the levels of Sequential Spelling to reinforce the word families learned in that level.  Each kit has over 125 pages of activities for your students:

• Creative writing prompts
• Word games using the word families of the Sequential Spelling level
• Anagrams
• Word Searches
• Scrambled Words
• Missing Word Families
• Speech to Spelling Translation
• Dictation exercises
• Story writing
• Readings for Comprehension
• Helpful Appendix Items for Even More Activities and Prompts

Though these activities correspond to each of the levels of Sequential Spelling, one needn't be teaching Sequential Spelling to use these exercises with students.  They will complement any language arts curriculum or just for fun!  They ascend in level of difficulty with each volume (level of abstract thought, word families presented, etc.).

Each Engaging Language Kit costs only $12.95 and comes in a 3-ring binder for easy access to the worksheets.   Use the e-coupon code "blog" to receive a 10% discount on your order.  

Buy the Engaging Language Kit 1 now: 

or visit AVKO.org to purchase the other levels.

Inspirational Quotes About Success and Literacy

Here is a collection of some of the most recent, great quotes I've come across -- for your inspiration, encouragement, or bit of whimsy for today :) These (and other pithy) quotes can also be used for Readings for Comprehension.

• "The difference between the right word and the nearly right word is the same as that between lightning and the lightning bug. "-Twain
• "Cut out all those exclamation marks. An exclamation mark is like laughing at your own joke." -F. Scott Fitzgerald
• "A book is like a garden carried in the pocket." -Chinese Proverb
• "The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read them." -Mark Twain
• "A room without books is like a body without soul." -Cicero
• "The biggest block to any man's success is in his head." -Anonymous
• "Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there." -Will Rogers
• "Don't agonize. Organize." - Florynce R. Kennedy
• "To escape criticism--do nothing, say nothing, be nothing." -Elbert Hubbard
• "Beaten paths are for beaten men." -Eric Johnston
• "The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do." -Walter Bagehot
• "The man who wins may have been counted out several times, but he didn't hear the referee." -H.E. Jansen
• "All glory comes from daring to begin." -Eugene F. Ware
• "To err is human, but when the eraser wears out ahead of the pencil, you're overdoing it." -J. Jenkins

Do you have any great quotes that you want to share? Send 'em on.

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