Sequential Spelling is AVKO’s premiere seven-level spelling program for the teaching of the patterns of English spelling within seven normal public school years. Sequential Spelling is great for schools as well as homeschoolers. The sequences are not based on grade level curriculum. The sequences are based on building from easy words to advanced words as from all, tall, stall, install, installment, installation. Most students should start with Level 1. Use our rough pre-test for Sequential Spelling (PDF) to determine more specifically where your student should begin if level 1 will be too easy for your student(s). View other placement tests for spelling and reading.
The 7 Levels of Sequential Spelling
The 7 Levels of the Engaging Language Kits
Sequential Spelling on DVD
Nearly every teacher has some students who need one-to-one help in spelling. This is designed for those parents and educators to help their children/students who are not succeeding with the standard themed list approach.
Many homeschoolers complete all seven levels at a much faster rate. As there are twice as many days in a regular year (2×180=360) with an extra five (for good behavior), two levels can be completed with just one ten-minute lesson every day, Monday through Sunday. Two ten-minute lessons a day, every day, one in the morning and one in late afternoon, will get you through 4 levels in one year.
Learn how to customize Sequential Spelling to meet your needs.
An article explaining the different types of words used in Sequential Spelling
Learn how to create your own Sequential Spelling lists for advanced students, or students who have random gaps in their spelling knowledge.
Sequential Spelling Video Clips
View the rest of the AVKO Videos
Sequential Spelling 1 Sample – Full script and directions of Sequential Spelling 1 (PDF)
Sequential Spelling 1-7 Sample – First few days of each of the seven levels; see how they start (PDF)
Sequential Spelling tri-fold Brochure – Explains how Sequential Spelling differs from traditional spelling (PDF)
Scope and Sequence of Sequential Spelling Books – See which word families are taught, and in which order, throughout the levels of Sequential Spelling.
Student Response Book Sample – (PDF)
HomeSchool Christian Review of Sequential Spelling
Buy Sequential Spelling
What Makes AVKO’s Sequential Spelling Program Different:
Traditional Spelling Program
Gives the child a list of words to study (and he forgets them after the test at the end of the week).
Tests the child on individual words.
The tests are corrected by the teacher/parent with the looming red ink pen—after the tests are done.
The rules of the English language are presented in dry, hard-to-understand ways outside of the spelling program.
The overall emphasis is on a grade for one week over one set of words.
The emphasis is on a theme of words (colors).
The sequencing of the words may be due to introduction of words into the curriculum, instead of the relative difficulty.
There may be a guilt reaction when the child studies but doesn’t do well on the test on Friday.
Sequential Spelling
The child doesn’t study anything (he remembers the patterns used to spell the words—even after the test).
Tests the child on patterns of the English language.
The child corrects his own paper as he is taking the test immediately.
The rules of the English language are embedded in the program, without lengthy explanations.
The emphasis is on learning the patterns of spelling for mastery of the language.
The emphasis is on the meanings of the words (root words, suffixes).
The sequencing of the words is based on research and the building of English words from the root word to expanded forms.
The child builds confidence when he can spell words he has never seen before without studying.
AVKO does not present « rules » in its Sequential Spelling and other spelling materials. Instead, the « rules » are embedded in the program so that the children can pick them up automatically. AVKO does have materials available for parents and teachers to be able to teach the rules if they so desire. Please see the following materials:
The Patterns of English Spelling
The Mechanics of English Spelling
An inexpensive pamphlet that delineates the mechanics of English spelling into rules for monosyllabic and polysyllabic words, vowels, onsets, and rimes.
The I Before E Set
The Tricky Words
220 Names/Faces, 220 Dolch Words are too many for Students with Memories like Mine
This pamphlet covers the Dolch (sight) words that need to be memorized. AVKO has broken the 220 words into 170 that can be taught via word families, leaving only 50 that have to be memorized.