All About Spelling

Name: All About Spelling
Brand: All About Learning Press, Inc.

by All About Learning Press, Inc.

ElaGrades 1–12

All About Spelling: Systematic Orton-Gillingham Phonics-Based Spelling Program

All About Spelling is a comprehensive K-12 spelling curriculum based on Orton-Gillingham methodology that uses systematic phonics instruction with multisensory letter tiles, flashcards, and incremental lessons. The program spans seven levels and emphasizes phonogram recognition, spelling rules, and structured dictation practice.

Best for

Homeschooling families or teachers seeking systematic spelling instruction for students K-12, particularly those who need multisensory approaches or have struggled with traditional spelling programs

Evaluation Criteria

4 strengths · 1 concern · 2 neutral · 2 insufficient evidence

Teacher TrainingStrength

The program provides excellent teacher support with thorough lesson explanations and ongoing guidance.

Features 'impressive' teacher instruction that is 'explained thoroughly' with 'teaching tips and cautions' plus 'free phone and email support' from the publisher

Direct InstructionStrength

The curriculum strongly supports direct, explicit instruction with detailed teacher guidance and systematic lesson structure.

Lessons are 'explained thoroughly and include teaching tips and cautions' with 'instruction for teachers' being 'one of the most impressive features' and lessons presented as incremental 'Steps'

Retrieval PracticeStrength

The program incorporates systematic review through flashcard sorting and the Spelling Review Box system.

Includes a 'Spelling Review Box' where 'flashcards are sorted behind dividers labeled Review and Mastered' and uses color-coded flashcards for phonograms, rules, and spelling words

Systematic PhonicsStrength

The program provides exceptionally systematic phonics instruction through its Orton-Gillingham foundation and incremental approach.

Uses 'intensive phonics approach of the Orton-Gillingham methodology' with 'color-coded letter tiles' and teaches phonograms systematically across all levels, starting with individual letter sounds in all about spelling level 1

Writing InstructionConcern

The program includes structured dictation practice but does not provide comprehensive writing instruction across genres.

Students progress from writing 'phonograms, words, phrases' to 'several phrases and sentences per day' through dictation, but there's no mention of planning, drafting, revising, or genre-specific writing instruction

Knowledge RichNeutral

The program systematically builds phonological and morphological knowledge but lacks broader domain knowledge across subjects.

Level 7 covers 'Latin roots, Greek word elements' and teaches students to 'identify prefixes, suffixes, and roots' but focuses narrowly on spelling rather than building knowledge across disciplines

Vocabulary BuildingNeutral

Vocabulary development occurs through spelling word lists but lacks the depth of explicit vocabulary instruction found in comprehensive ELA curricula.

Students learn words ranging from simple ('cake, late, car') to complex ('encouraged, equipment, gnome') but the focus is on spelling rather than meaning, context, or morphological analysis for comprehension

Text ComplexityInsufficient Evidence

As a spelling-focused program, it does not engage students with complex connected texts.

The program focuses on individual words, phrases, and sentences through dictation rather than reading or analyzing complex texts

Whole Books Vs ExcerptsInsufficient Evidence

This program is specifically focused on spelling instruction rather than reading whole books or excerpts.

The curriculum is 'specifically geared toward teaching spelling' and uses word lists, phonograms, and dictation rather than connected texts

Sources: cathyduffyreviews.com