My Catholic Speller series, Books A-F

by Nancy Nicholson

Catholic Heritage Curricula

Catholic homeschoolers will appreciate the combination of a strong phonics emphasis coupled with Catholic doctrine and culture in this spelling series. Books A-F target grades 1-7. However, they are slightly more difficult than some other programs so you might use Level A with advanced first graders or average second graders. This is true all through the series, meaning that Book F would be appropriate for advanced sixth graders or average seventh graders.

Each inexpensive book is self-contained with answer keys in the back of books B-F (none needed for A). Although printed in black-and-white, these books are nicely formatted and illustrated. The newest editions have full-color covers and plastic spiral bindings.

Each level teaches phonics and word structure rules, with increasing amounts of instruction as students move to higher levels. Even at the upper levels, this series teaches spelling through common word elements rather than by selecting "most frequently used" words or some other approach. Books include a variety of activities for children to work with their list words: identifying rhyming words, fill-in-the-blank, alphabetizing, crosswords, identifying words with common elements, and more.

Book C features both manuscript and cursive models and book D has only cursive. Lessons in Books B and C each include memory verses tied to important doctrinal issues. At the back of these two books are apologetic sections highlighting false doctrines and the biblical response. A reproducible certificate at the back of each book can be used as an incentive/reward for children who memorize these verses.

Book D incorporates quotes from early Church Fathers that, again, support doctrinal positions, although these are not intended as memory verses. 

Book E expands vocabulary activity to include Greek and Latin roots.

Book Fcontinues the focus on common word elements (i.e., "ient, ience") and the additional Greek and Latin roots. It also has an interesting section after the last lesson that outlines a short course in Marian apologetics that can be incorporated into each lesson.