What's included
5 live meetings
3 hrs 45 mins in-class hoursHomework
1 hour per week. A short homework assignment will be posted after each class to reinforce the spelling rules learned. This should take approximately 15 minutes to complete. Once the one-page homework is submitted, the teacher is usually able to respond within 24 hours with corrections, detailed feedback, encouragement, and added spelling tips when applicable.Letter Grade
includedClass Experience
Do you struggle to make sense of spelling? Does it intimidate you or cause discouragement? Join this class with others who feel the same way, and we can not only commiserate together, but also start to see and understand spelling patterns and the reasons behind these spelling patterns. Note that this is the fourth class in a 6-class series, designed to give you a complete academic year of spelling support as you begin to conquer spelling. Classes can be taken in any order, and learners are welcome to start this course after the first lesson has begun as the spelling patterns learned are reviewed throughout the course. Learning and mastering spelling rules makes spelling less intimidating and boosts your spelling confidence. This class will teach spelling rules and common spelling patterns in an upbeat, encouraging, and multi-sensory environment. Students will learn to spell words correctly by relying on dependable spelling rules and generalizations. This gives us more control over spelling words and takes the guesswork out of spelling. When we can explain why a word is spelled the way it is, it helps us remember it better and apply it later when writing! See below for the specific spelling rules & patterns being taught each week. Class will start with a spelling warm-up to strengthen the skills needed to become a confident speller, then a new spelling rule will be introduced. Short custom-made, engaging videos will be used to present each spelling rule, followed by practice applying the rule to spelling words, including verbal, written, and visual methods to ensure the learners remember the rule itself, dictation of words, phrases & sentences, oral spelling, and oral decoding. A supportive, positive, and engaging environment will be maintained throughout our class time, creating a safe space for all learners, especially those who need extra spelling support. Visual and varying formats in the class will keep learners engaged while providing lots of practice time. This helps the new rules & patterns stick and become part of the learner’s spelling repertoire! A short homework assignment will be posted after each class to reinforce the spelling rules learned. Once the one-page homework is submitted, the teacher will respond with corrections, detailed feedback, encouragement, and added spelling tips when applicable, usually within 24 hours. If you are looking for more spelling practice outside of class time and the one posted homework assignment, you could purchase this workbook: How to Spell Workbook 3 by Laura Toby Rudginsky & Elizabeth C. Haskell. It can be found on amazon. There are extra lessons, but each lesson covered in class will have 1 or more follow-up pages in the workbook. Please note that the words taught in class are about a 3rd – 5th-grade level. Some weeks will be more or less challenging depending on the spelling pattern taught and each learner’s experience with that spelling pattern. See reviews from families whose learners have taken my other spelling classes: "Very impressed with Ms. Allison and this course. She has a great and thorough structure. She gives incredible feedback for the homework assignments and manages to make it conversational instead of instructional." - MP "Excellent teacher. Extremely organized and thorough lessons. Friendly, fun manner. My daughter is really improving her spelling with Allison! Highly recommend!" - JU "This class has been a great supplement to our learning day and has helped our kiddo with dyslexia build confidence in spelling and reading." - SN "This class was a very fun and a positive learning environment. My daughter enjoyed it. It was well organized with recordings and practice postings. " - AR "This is an excellent class for helping kids learn how to break down words to spell them correctly. Allison Woolley does a great job, and the kids love her! We appreciate all she has done to help my son." - L
Learning Goals
Students will learn spelling rules and be able to apply them in all spelling situations. Their spelling confidence and accuracy will increase.
Syllabus
Curriculum
Follows Orton-Gillingham Curriculum5 Lessons
over 5 WeeksLesson 1:
ou/ow
Learners will determine when to use 'ou' or 'ow' for the /ou/ sound.
45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
au/aw
Learners will determine when to use 'au' or 'aw' for the short /o/ sound.
45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
aught spelling
This lesson teaches how to remember all the words spelled with 'aught' for the sound /ot/.
45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
i before e Rule
Learners will learn the phrase about putting 'i' before 'e' and apply it in spelling words that use both of those vowels for the long /e/ sound.
45 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Learning Needs
Tailored for dyslexic learners, this class uses the Orton-Gillingham multi-sensory approach to learning. Engaging lessons, interactive activities, and a consistent class routine help keep all learners focused and motivated.
Supply List
Index Cards & pens or pencils to make flashcards (one per class) Small whiteboard, dry erase marker & eraser OR a notebook/paper & pencil
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree from University of California at Davis
Allison Woolley has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California at Davis. She has homeschooled her children from kindergarten through high school and has seen the benefit of teaching spelling rules to her own children, specifically the help it gives to struggling spellers and readers. Her experience also includes tutoring English Language Arts to 2nd – 6th graders and teaching other subjects & leading groups for children in pre-K through 10th grade.
Reviews
Live Group Course
$18
weekly or $90 for 5 classes1x per week, 5 weeks
45 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-15
3-9 learners per class