Would you like to read various comparisons between other phonics or spelling programs? Click here

What classical education has to say:

"The spelling program with results! That's how I would begin to describe this very comprehensive, very complete set of materials. I know from first hand experience that this program works and the results are impressive to say the least." Review by Heidi Shaw... read the next link

Review by the HomeSchool Magazine

SWR and Special Needs

Compare SWR with the Writing Road to Reading, 5th edition

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** Thoughts about SWR's other features from a newbie

I'm neither an expert nor a long-time user of SWR. And I'm certainly not qualified to tell you why SWR is superior. But, I researched quite a bit before I went with SWR and I can share why I chose and have stayed with SWR.

What Saxon has and SWR does not have is scripted lessons. In some ways, SWR appears to be too simple because it doesn't come with all the extras, like readers and grammar worksheets! And in other ways it appears to be too difficult because it doesn't have a year by year defined scope and sequence. And when I was comparing and contrasting language arts curriculums, there came a point when I was quite certain that I was going to choose a program live Saxon or A Beka. (I did use A Beka's preschool materials). I liked Saxon and A Beka, not because of their superiority in teaching my child to read and spell, but because of the comfort they would provide me. I wanted (and at times still do desire) for someone to hold my hand.

For a number of reasons I took the plunge and decided to give SWR a try. However, if I had not had the opportunity to take a seminar or at least meet with a trainer for a crash course I'm not sure I could have stuck with it. Somewhere between meeting with a trainer for a crash course and attending a seminar I came to the realization that
SWR is not about doing a daily lesson and checking it off my list.

It is about learning, both me learning my child and my child learning the English language.

I have been using the program consistently since September and believe the scripted lessons and workbooks I initially viewed as a necessity are actually a hindrance in the teaching process. Imho, the scripted lessons bind you into following a very specific program. What SWR lets you do is teach your child in the manner he or she best learns. I think SWR lets you be freer to do what your dc needs to do and sets you free of the busyness of a canned curriculum. And in time, I believe SWR is more likely to engage your
child in creative expression of the English language.

When I look at curriculums one of the biggest questions I ask is, is this program merely training a child to read and produce answers for a test? Or will this program help me train my child to think, reason, and analyze? When my child has completed this program will they have internalized the information and be changed by it? My dc are too young and my hsing experience has been too short for me to have wisdom of hindsight. But, when I talk to people who have
experience in both Saxon and SWR I find I want my dc to know English more like those who have used SWR than those who have not.

Heidi in AK
3/3/06







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