Best Spelling Curriculum for Homeschool — Phonetic vs. Visual Approaches Compared

The best spelling curriculum for most homeschool families is All About Spelling (AAS). It provides systematic, multi-sensory instruction using the Orton-Gillingham method, teaching spelling rules and phonogram patterns that children can apply to thousands of words rather than memorizing individual word lists. For children who struggle with phonetic approaches or who are strong visual learners, Spelling You See offers an effective alternative built on visual memory, copywork, and pattern recognition. Below, we compare the most popular homeschool spelling programs, explain the difference between phonetic and visual approaches, and help you choose the right one for your child.

Why Spelling Curriculum Matters

In an age of spell-check and autocorrect, some parents wonder whether formal spelling instruction is still necessary. It absolutely is — and here's why.

Spelling and reading are two sides of the same coin. Learning to spell reinforces the phonetic patterns that drive reading fluency, strengthens vocabulary, and builds the kind of automatic language processing that frees children's minds for higher-level thinking when they write. A child who has to stop and puzzle over every word while writing can't focus on ideas, organization, or voice.

Moreover, spelling instruction done well teaches children how the English language works — its patterns, its rules, its history. That understanding transfers to reading unfamiliar words, building vocabulary, and even learning foreign languages.

The question isn't whether to teach spelling. It's how.

Phonetic vs. Visual Approaches: What's the Difference?

The two dominant approaches to spelling instruction differ fundamentally in how they believe spelling is learned:

Phonetic (Rule-Based) Approach

Phonetic programs teach children the rules and patterns of English spelling. Students learn phonograms (letter-sound combinations), spelling rules (like "i before e except after c"), and syllable patterns. When encountering a new word, children apply these rules to figure out the spelling.

Programs using this approach: All About Spelling, Spell to Write and Read, Logic of English

Strengths:

• Teaches transferable knowledge — rules apply to thousands of words
• Builds understanding of why words are spelled the way they are
• Develops skills that help with reading unfamiliar words
• Particularly effective for auditory learners

Limitations:

• English has many exceptions to its rules
• Can feel abstract for some learners
• Rule memorization can be tedious
• Less effective for some children with dyslexia (though Orton-Gillingham programs are actually designed for dyslexia)

Visual (Memory-Based) Approach

Visual programs focus on helping children see and remember the visual patterns of words. Students study words through copywork, visualization exercises, and repeated exposure. The theory is that proficient spellers recognize words by their visual shape rather than sounding them out.

Programs using this approach: Spelling You See, Natural Speller, and many traditional word-list approaches

Strengths:

• Works well for visual-spatial learners
• Handles irregular words naturally (you just learn what they look like)
• Less abstract — children work with whole words, not isolated rules
• Can be less frustrating for children who struggle with phonetic decoding

Limitations:

• Doesn't teach transferable rules
• Relies more heavily on memorization
• May not build understanding of English language structure
• Can be slower for children who learn patterns easily

Our Take

Most children benefit most from a primarily phonetic approach supplemented with visual strategies for irregular words. English spelling is far more regular than its reputation suggests — about 84% of English words follow predictable phonetic patterns, and another 14% are only irregular by one sound. Only about 2% of common English words are truly unpredictable.

That said, some children genuinely learn spelling better through visual approaches, and no single method works for everyone. Below, we review the best programs in each category.

Best Overall: All About Spelling

All About Spelling (AAS) by Marie Rippel uses an Orton-Gillingham approach — the same multi-sensory method originally developed for children with dyslexia that has since been shown to work well for all learners. The program teaches 47 phonograms, 31 spelling rules, and systematic word-analysis skills across seven levels.

How it works: Each lesson follows a consistent pattern: review previous material, teach a new concept (phonogram, rule, or syllable pattern), practice with letter tiles on a magnetic board, and apply the concept to word lists and dictation sentences. The teacher's manual is fully scripted.

What we love:

• Truly multi-sensory — visual (letter tiles), auditory (phonogram sounds), and kinesthetic (tile manipulation)
• Mastery-based — children don't advance until they've mastered each concept
• Scripted lessons require zero teacher preparation
• Teaches why words are spelled the way they are, not just what the correct spelling is
• Works beautifully alongside All About Reading, using the same phonogram cards
• Includes strategies for handling irregular words
• Seven levels cover grades 1 through 7+

What to consider:

• Teacher-intensive — you need to be present for every lesson
• The tile work can feel tedious for older children
• More expensive than some alternatives ($45-55 per level, plus $30 for the starter kit)
• Can feel slow for naturally strong spellers

Best for: Most homeschool families, especially those already using phonics-based programs for reading. Outstanding for children with dyslexia, auditory processing issues, or anyone who benefits from multi-sensory instruction.

Cost: $30 for the basic interactive kit (reusable); $45-55 per level Time commitment: 15-20 minutes per lesson, 3-4 days per week

Best Visual Approach: Spelling You See

Spelling You See (SYS) by Dr. Karen Holinga takes a completely different approach. Based on research into visual memory and the developmental stages of spelling, SYS uses copywork, dictation, and a technique called "chunking" — where students highlight common letter patterns in passages using colored pencils.

How it works: Students work through short passages of connected text (poems, historical narratives, science descriptions). They copy the passage, highlight common letter patterns with colored pencils, and eventually write the passage from dictation. No spelling lists. No rules. No tests.

What we love:

• Extremely low-stress — no tests, no grades, no word lists
• The copywork approach builds spelling, handwriting, and punctuation simultaneously
• Passages are drawn from interesting content (history, science, poetry)
• Very independent — children can do most of the work on their own
• Works well for children who shut down with traditional spelling instruction

What to consider:

• Doesn't teach spelling rules or phonograms explicitly
• Progress can be hard to measure without tests
• Some children find the chunking (highlighting) tedious
• Won't satisfy parents who want their children to understand why words are spelled certain ways
• Some families report slower progress compared to phonetic approaches

Best for: Visual learners, children who resist traditional spelling instruction, and families who want a gentle, Charlotte Mason-compatible approach. Also works well as a supplement for children using a phonetic reading program who need additional spelling support.

Cost: About $40 per level (workbook consumable) Time commitment: 10-15 minutes per day, 5 days per week

Best Word-Family Approach: Sequential Spelling

Sequential Spelling by Don McCabe takes a unique approach: it teaches spelling through word families, starting with a base word and building increasingly complex words from that root. For example, students might spell "all," then "call," "recall," "calling," "recalled," and "miscalling" over several days.

How it works: Each day, the teacher reads 25 words aloud. The student attempts to spell each word, then immediately sees the correct spelling and self-corrects. There's no pre-study — the learning happens through the attempt-and-correct cycle. Words build on each other across days and weeks.

What we love:

• Teaches word families and morphological awareness (prefixes, suffixes, roots)
• Self-correcting format reduces frustration
• Very easy to administer — just read the words and check
• Children start seeing patterns in word construction quickly
• Affordable and minimal materials needed

What to consider:

• 25 words per day is overwhelming for some children (easily adapted by doing fewer)
• No explicit phonics instruction
• The format is very repetitive — some children find it boring
• Doesn't teach spelling rules
• Can feel like "testing" rather than "teaching" for sensitive children

Best for: Children ages 8+ who learn well through pattern recognition and who benefit from a quick, daily routine. Works particularly well as a supplement to a phonics-based reading program.

Cost: About $20-25 per level Time commitment: 10-15 minutes per day, 4-5 days per week

Best Classical Option: Spell to Write and Read

Spell to Write and Read (SWR) by Wanda Sanseri is a comprehensive phonics-based spelling program rooted in the Spalding method. It teaches 70 phonograms and 29 spelling rules, using a systematic approach that integrates spelling with reading and writing.

How it works: Students learn phonograms, spelling rules, and a reference-based approach to analyzing new words. The program uses a "spelling notebook" where children keep a running reference of all the words they've studied, organized by phonetic pattern.

What we love:

• Extremely thorough — covers English phonics more comprehensively than almost any other program
• Integrates spelling with reading and writing naturally
• The spelling notebook becomes a valuable reference tool
• Suitable for grades 1 through 12
• Works beautifully in a classical education context

What to consider:

• Steep learning curve for the teacher — the parent manual is dense and requires study
• Very teacher-intensive
• Can feel overwhelming for families new to phonics instruction
• Less scripted than All About Spelling — requires more teacher confidence

Best for: Dedicated classical homeschool families who want a single, comprehensive language arts spine that covers spelling, reading, and writing foundations. Works well alongside other classical programs and Charlotte Mason approaches.

Cost: About $65 for the teacher's manual; student materials are additional Time commitment: 20-30 minutes per lesson, 4 days per week

Best for Independent Learners: Spelling Power

Spelling Power by Beverly Adams-Gordon uses a placement test and self-study approach that allows students to work independently through targeted word lists. Students study only the words they don't already know, making it efficient for strong spellers who just need to fill in gaps.

How it works: A placement test identifies exactly where each student should begin. Students study 15 minutes daily using a 10-step approach, testing themselves and advancing through frequency-based word lists. A flow-word list system ensures that misspelled words come back for review.

What we love:

• Highly efficient — students don't waste time on words they already know
• Works for grades 1 through adult
• Only one book needed for the entire family, for all years
• Quick daily lessons (10-15 minutes)
• Self-directed once the student understands the system

What to consider:

• Not multi-sensory — primarily visual and written
• Doesn't teach phonics rules or spelling patterns
• Can feel dry and mechanical
• Requires self-motivation from the student
• The single large book format can feel overwhelming

Best for: Independent, motivated students ages 9+ who need efficient spelling review rather than foundational instruction. Excellent for families with multiple children since one book serves everyone.

Cost: About $60 for the main book (serves all children, all years) Time commitment: 10-15 minutes per day, 5 days per week

How to Choose: A Quick Guide

Tips for Spelling Success

1. Connect Spelling to Reading and Writing

Spelling doesn't exist in a vacuum. The patterns your child learns in spelling should reinforce what they're learning in reading and phonics. When your child misspells a word in their writing, use it as a teaching moment — but not during the creative process. Wait until revision time.

2. Use Multiple Modalities

Even if your primary program is phonetic, incorporate visual and kinesthetic strategies. Have your child write words in sand, shape them with playdough, type them, spell them with letter tiles, or trace them in shaving cream on the table. The more pathways to the brain, the stronger the memory.

3. Don't Test on Friday and Forget on Monday

Traditional "memorize the list, take the test, move on" approaches produce short-term memorization, not lasting knowledge. Look for programs that include systematic review (like All About Spelling's review system or Sequential Spelling's cumulative word families) to keep previously learned words fresh.

4. Read, Read, Read

Voracious readers are almost always strong spellers. The visual exposure to correctly spelled words through extensive reading reinforces spelling patterns powerfully. If your child is a reluctant reader, audiobooks paired with the physical book (so they see the words while hearing them) can help.

5. Be Patient With Developmental Stages

Spelling development follows predictable stages: pre-phonetic (random letters), phonetic (spelling by sound), transitional (incorporating visual patterns), and conventional (correct spelling). Children progress through these stages at different rates. A child who spells "sed" for "said" is actually demonstrating phonetic logic — they just haven't learned the irregular spelling yet.

Our Bottom Line

For most homeschool families, All About Spelling is the strongest choice. Its multi-sensory, rule-based approach produces children who understand how English spelling works, not just children who have memorized word lists. The investment in phonogram and spelling rule knowledge pays dividends for years.

For children who struggle with phonetic approaches, Spelling You See offers a gentle, effective alternative that builds spelling through visual patterns and copywork.

Whichever program you choose, remember that spelling is a skill that develops over years, not weeks. Consistent, short daily practice will always outperform intensive cramming sessions. Trust the process, keep it brief, and celebrate progress rather than demanding perfection.