CurriculumResearcher

Building Spelling Skills series

by Christian Liberty Press

ElaGrades 1–8

Building Spelling Skills: Systematic Phonics-Based Spelling Program

Building Spelling Skills is a traditional, comprehensive spelling series from Christian Liberty Press spanning grades 1-8. The curriculum emphasizes systematic phonics instruction in early grades, transitioning to word origins and morphology in upper levels, with a notably challenging vocabulary throughout.

Best for

Homeschooling families seeking an affordable, systematic spelling program with challenging vocabulary; students who benefit from independent work and rule-based phonics instruction; Christian families wanting faith-integrated content

Evaluation Criteria

5 strengths · 2 concerns · 2 neutral

Knowledge RichStrength

The curriculum builds substantial domain knowledge through vocabulary organized by topics like geography, astronomy, anatomy, and economics.

Book 5 covers geography-related words, astronomical terms, birds, sports, anatomy, and economics; Book 8 explores word origins from multiple languages and cultures

Text ComplexityStrength

The curriculum presents notably challenging vocabulary that exceeds typical grade-level expectations.

Reviewer notes 'difficulty level is higher than in most other series' with advanced words like 'cyclone' and 'accomplish' in Grade 2

Direct InstructionStrength

The curriculum provides clear, rule-based instruction that students can follow independently.

Students can work independently through the books; phonics rules are explicitly taught; teaching instructions are provided at the front of books

Systematic PhonicsStrength

The early grades provide strong systematic phonics instruction with clear progression from simple to complex patterns.

Book 1 covers short vowels and phonograms; Book 2 emphasizes phonics rules with phonetic vocabulary; Books 3-4 continue with consonant blends, digraphs, and syllabication rules

Vocabulary BuildingStrength

The curriculum excels at building challenging vocabulary systematically across all grade levels.

Advanced words like 'voyage,' 'grudge,' and 'laundry' in Grade 1; 'prerequisite,' 'antediluvian,' and 'ostentatious' in Grade 7; vocabulary organized by themes

Teacher TrainingConcern

Minimal teacher support is provided beyond basic teaching instructions and answer keys.

Teaching instructions appear at front of books; inexpensive answer keys available; no separate teacher guides provided

Writing InstructionConcern

The curriculum does not include structured writing instruction, focusing solely on spelling skills.

The review describes spelling exercises and word practice but mentions no writing composition or structured writing instruction

Retrieval PracticeNeutral

Regular practice and weekly testing provide some retrieval opportunities, though not extensively detailed.

Each worktext includes space for weekly unit tests; exercises induce students to practice writing words repeatedly

Whole Books Vs ExcerptsNeutral

This curriculum focuses specifically on spelling instruction rather than reading whole books or excerpts.

The series consists of spelling worktexts with units covering phonics patterns, word origins, and vocabulary development

Sources: cathyduffyreviews.com

Review Sources

cathyduffy

Cathy Duffy

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Key Facts
GradesGrades 1–8
SubjectEla
PedagogyTraditional
Faith-BasedChristian/Protestant
Pricing$3.35 at Christianbook.com | $6.50 at Amazon.com | $4.45 at Rainbowresource.com | $3.24 at Amazon.com | $3.24 Used at Amazon.com Marketplace | $8.69 at Christianbook.com | $8.95 at Rainbowresource.com | $4.19 at Christianbook.com | $6.50 at Amazon.com | $4.45 at Rainbowresource.com | $4.19 at Christianbook.com | $11.32 at Amazon.com | $11.32 Used at Amazon.com Marketplace | $4.45 at Rainbowresource.com | $8.69 at Christianbook.com | $7.41 at Amazon.com | $3.44 Used at Amazon.com Marketplace | $8.95 at Rainbowresource.com | $6.50 at Amazon.com | $4.18 at Christianbook.com | $4.45 at Rainbowresource.com | $29.52 at Amazon.com | $31.84 Used at Amazon.com Marketplace | $8.69 at Christianbook.com | $8.95 at Rainbowresource.com | $7.47 at Amazon.com | $3.50 Used at Amazon.com Marketplace | $8.69 at Christianbook.com | $8.95 at Rainbowresource.com | $7.25 at Amazon.com | $4.19 at Christianbook.com | $4.45 at Rainbowresource.com | $19.93 at Amazon.com | $3.70 Used at Amazon.com Marketplace | $8.69 at Christianbook.com | $8.95 at Rainbowresource.com | $6.50 at Amazon.com | $4.19 at Christianbook.com | $4.45 at Rainbowresource.com | $4.68 at Amazon.com | $4.68 Used at Amazon.com Marketplace | $8.69 at Christianbook.com | $8.95 at Rainbowresource.com | $11.08 at Amazon.com | $11.08 Used at Amazon.com Marketplace | $4.44 at Christianbook.com | $4.45 at Rainbowresource.com | $19.98 at Amazon.com | $8.12 Used at Amazon.com Marketplace | $8.69 at Christianbook.com | $8.95 at Rainbowresource.com | $6.50 at Amazon.com | $4.19 at Christianbook.com | $4.45 at Rainbowresource.com | $15.13 at Amazon.com | $11.15 Used at Amazon.com Marketplace | $8.69 at Christianbook.com | $8.95 at Rainbowresource.com
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Looking for something different?

If none of these options feel right, explore a non-traditional approach. Pallas Center offers a unique curriculum, or design your own with Palladay.

Data sources: cathyduffy, homeschoolcom