Sing, Spell, Read and Write is a learning-to-read curriculum that uses a 36-step program of carefully sequenced systematic, explicit phonics instruction to build fluent independent readers. Using look, listen, point, sing-along, and echo routines along with gross motor and fine motor activities, the program actively engages the senses and effectively reaches all types of learners. The Kindergarten Combo Kit contains enough language arts instructional material for two full years. Two kindergarten student workbooks are included featuring larger print and fewer words per page. Topics covered include letter recognition, letter sounds, manuscript writing, and beginning reading. Promotes independent reading by the end of Grade 1. There are built-in assessments and achievement tests to track each child's progress. Cost is about $300. A Pre-K Readiness program and assorted supplemental materials are also available.
Website: Sing, Spell, Read and Write
(8 Reviews)
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Contributor Reviews
Reviews are solely the opinions of the contributor.
Cons: Some people may think the price is high. It is well worth it for all the materials, the value of the work is WELL worth the cost if you are consistent with the process you will see.
Grades Used: PreK through Grade 1
I used the Sing Spell Read and Write program from start to finish with my daughter starting at age 3 and within a year we completed it and she was completely reading independently by 4 years old. She surpassed her peers throughout elementary learning and at grade 5 she was reading at a college level. She began college studies at age 15. Today she is 32 years of age, we combined home school, public (briefly) and private education. She discovered that she worked best autonomously or with more mature learners. As a result she has been a successful entrepreneur since leaving school. I’m seeking to purchase the program again for her children. I still have the VHS!! An antique! I STRONGLY recommend this program, from the perspective of a parent, child and as a pediatric occupational therapist for 33 years.
Cons: Can't find here in the Philippines
Grades Used: Pre K to 3
Sing, Spell, Read & Write is the best material yet that I have used for my learners and kids. The levels, color and actuvities were so sequenced that the skills development were subtle, that made learning fun and easy quick.
Cons: Expensive
Grades Used: Preschool and K-2nd
Just finished using this curriculum today with my 4th child. I've taught all my kids to read using Sing Spell. Fantastic curriculum, easy to use and plenty to do. The kids loved all the songs and would often listen to them in the car for fun. All my kids can read very well, (even the one who was slower to read than the rest.) The price is expensive, but if you are making copies and using it for multiple kids, it's very cost effective. Even if you only have one child, I would still recommend Sing Spell. Like anything, when you first start, it can seem difficult, but the teachers manual lays it all out for you and you have the choice to do all of what they suggest or modify it to what works for you. We used the preschool kit and the K-2nd kit. The kids loved the games too. Some days it might seem easy to skip the games or songs, but these are the ways the kids really get the information in. When your treasure chest runs out of stuff, refill it with little candies or party favors from Walmart or stuff from Dollar Tree. The treasure chest was a huge motivator for the kids to try hard and sometimes do extra. I'm so glad I found this so many years ago. Also, don't be afraid that it looks dated. I wasn't able to use any of the CDs or the cassette tapes that were included, but I was able to find all the music on Youtube. =-)
Cons: Be sure to purchase the teacher's manual for extension activities to enhance your teaching homeschool experience
Grades Used: K-1-2
As an elementary educator for both public and private schools, I find Sing Spell Read and Write, also known as Songs that Teach by Sue Dickson, to be the complete teaching formulary all in one box. Children are natural born learners and they love to have fun! This curriculum combines those elements to get get the job done in a home environment. Learning - and teaching, are no longer a problem as both child and parent educator have fun on this reading adventure that plants seeds early on for success! Each colorful step of the process is filled with engaging learning games.songs and activities that children can easily and readily utilize and make connections in their learning to quickly master reading, with joy. Yes, without struggle or strife, but with anticipated joy! Especially children who struggle with learning challenges, this ideal and creative program engages children and takes the stess out of learning. This is vitally important if children are to succeed. The pressure to learn can easily overtake and impede their ability to learn. This program superceds any program out there in the homeschool community and quite honestly in the public/private school sector. This program is THE quintessential learning curricuriculum. I not only highly recommend it - I tell everyone I meet with children to use this program because it works! Especially now. With the Covid-19 Pandemic forcing traditional schools to close and many parents struggle to balance learning in a variety of ways - homeschool, virtual or hybrid - Sing Spell Read and Write is a life saver, for everyone involved in their child's education. I especially appreciate and recommend that you incorporate the teacher's manual as it includes so many wonderful extension activities- and guides you word by word, just like a classroom educator's guide! Any parent can use this program! My own child struggled with learning delays, and this program broke the barriers and opened a world of learning through reading. This program is truly amazing and well worth every penny! This beautiful program is tried and true over many years. It is still used today. Many "programs" come and go, but this one remains. Why? Because it works.. After EVERY learning session with this program, my daughter hugs me and says "I love you, mommy. You are the best mommy ever!" She loves to sing. And now she can read. She write. She can spell. She is a confident learner because of this masterful, easy to use, fun to learn, gifted program by Sue Dickson, kindergarten through 2nd grade. It's everything thing you need - all in one box! How do you spell success?....We spell it SSRW! Love it! Love it! Love it!
There really and truly isnt anything else out there on the market like it. I highly recommend this product!
Cons: Child gets bored by grade 2
Grades Used: K,1,2
This was our first attemp at homeschooling and it was so much fun. My daughter LOVED this program and it was so easy to use. By the end of the first year she was reading on her own. The only complaint is that she got bored by the end of year two.
Cons: 2nd and 3rd years not very helpful
Grades Used: K - 3
We enjoyed using the 1st grade Sing, Spell, Read and Write. I used it for all three kids and all did well. Mine was the older version so I am sure that the newer versions are updated. My teacher book was not as laid out as I like it, so I had to figure some of it out. I am sure the newer version is set up differently. The stories were a bit dry in some of the books, but they have to be easy. I thought they were a whole lot more creative from the books I learned to read with. The phonics games can still be helpful when the kids forget some of the rules they learned a couple of years ago. I did use the 2nd and 3rd grade but didn't like them much. The 3rd grade was especially not helpful from what I can remember, I used it with the first child and not the others.
I would recommend the 1st grade curriculum and would use it again myself if I had more children of that age.
Cons: Price
Grades Used: K, 1, 2
I bought the K/1 Combo when my oldest was ready for K. He loved it so much, he wanted to do several lessons a day. His younger siblings were the same - they all loved it! The songs are fun and catchy. The games are great reinforcement of the concepts learned. I found the daily spelling too much with my oldest, but do it with my youngest. All 3 of my children learned to read with this and all read above grade level. I taught my 4-yr old preschool class how to read with the K level program. It works. Only con is the price, but I got 6 years out of mine, so I can't complain!
Cons: stories can be dry as depending on the edition you pick up, it was written in a different generation, pricey
Grades Used: k and 1st
We have been using sing spell read and write for a while now. We like it because it covers reading, writing and grammar. We like to take the writing workbook and do the words elsewhere so that it doesn't seem so overwhelming because they put all the 50 or so vocab words on one page to copy. Make sure if you purchase this curriculum second hand or in pieces that you get the same publication edition. There are many updates and they do not always work well together. I bought all my pieces through friends, garage sales and second hand stores so they do not all coordinate perfectly. But its nothing I can't over come. I am very pleased with the outcome and performance from my kids. My 5 year old is on book 7 of 17 and can read quite alot. They teach blends in the beginning that goes along way with discovering words that they have never seen before. Over all I like it. It is pricey if bought new.