The SpellQuizzer Spelling Program

Now, I must admit, I usually don’t spend too much time teaching or reviewing spelling in our home. A lot of spelling gets done naturally through DS’ own choice methods, either dictation (the kiddo prefers it to copywork) or by playing games like Scrabble or UpWords or the occasional crossword puzzle that catches his eye.

The spelling software SpellQuizzer however, has got me excited because of its slight similarity to a reading program my hubby created for DS back in 2003.


SpellQuizzer is pretty straightforward. You create spelling lists for your student, recording a suitable (and if you want to pump up the fun factor, amusing) audio prompt for each word. To quiz the child, the recordings get played over the computer’s speakers. Your child types in what he/ she thinks is the correct spelling. He/ she then gets immediate feedback and of course, the opportunity to correct mistakes.

OK, say you have serious "recording block" and don't know what to say when you're making the lists. All you have to do is type in a reminder phrase on the list creation interface and SpellQuizzer will use that instead as a word prompt.

Downloading the software (I have a high-speed connection) and creating a sample list of about 10 words with short recordings took me barely 20 minutes. The interface is pretty easy to master and you should be able to create lists in less time once you get used to it. But if you're too pressed for time or would rather not create lists for the time being, there are also pre-made spelling lists you can download for free from the SpellQuizzer website. I personally like the one with the Greek Mythology theme :)

Once you've downloaded SpellQuizzer, you’ll see from this screenshot that you have the option to share spelling lists with others (an export function through an email attachment, for example) or even import lists from them. This should be great for schools and co-ops. There's also a helpful, optional Tip of the Day function that gives you a heads up on features you may not have noticed. To me, these features make SpellQuizzer more tempting to use than my other favorite spelling tool, Spelling City.

After playing with it for a while, these are the advantages that strike me most about SpellQuizzer:

The ability to create automated, customized spelling lists – you can create spelling lists for any age or grade level and play them over and over again.

Convenience for both visual and auditory learners – parents may make quirky/ humorous recordings to prompt the child. DS snickered quite a bit when he heard my voice but hey, the ability to have fun while learning has always been important to us :)

Flexibility – use it on its own or with any other spelling curriculum or program! Like I've mentioned, in our home, we don't (not yet, anyway) sweat the spelling stuff but DS likes using this like he would any other computer game so I find it really quite versatile for both parent and student.

Cost – SpellQuizzer is free to use for 30 days. To buy, it's $29.95 for a single PC license. Yes, it's not completely free like Spelling City. But if you want the bells and whistles and use it on its own without investing in any other spelling curriculum, it is relatively affordable for a multi-grade-level spelling software.

Other pluses:
A built-in spell checker for both US and UK spellings! And depending on the kind of PC you use, you may not need a dedicated microphone to make your recordings. My average-quality built-in mike worked really well! If you do need a mike, your neighborhood WalMart, Staples or Best Buy will probably have a decent one for under $10.

These are the hitches I've noticed so far:

If you already have MS Word files of spelling lists you’ve created, and the words are not on SpellQuizzer’s existing database or in the database of lists you’ve imported, you might find it tedious to copy and paste each word individually.

Also, SpellQuizzer currently only runs on PCs (Windows Vista, XP, 2000, ME or 98).

Visit this page for homeschoolers for a more detailed description of the software. You may also view helpful video demonstrations on the website or try the software’s Help section (press F1 once you’ve downloaded and launched SpellQuizzer) if you get stuck.

June 1 Update: I had earlier mentioned that the creator of SpellQuizzer is a homeschooling Dad. He has kindly informed me that he isn't homeschooling his kids. I also wanted to add that I am not affiliated with SpellQuizzer and do not receive any commission from anyone selling this software.

Three's Company, Two's A Chore

It's been a very boooooring few weeks for us with DH away on business. So with just two people in the house left to entertain each other and not wanting to leave the kiddo alone too long to his own devises, my blogging time has been sorely affected.

I'm trying to think of it as a good break and finale to our school year and summoning my creative juices to think of parks and malls and bookstores we haven't visited yet :) And we're making good use of our Netflix subscription too :)

Meanwhile, I wanted to share a video we've been watching and enjoying at our latest fave site: Jango.com. We've loved this video for ages now and catching it on Jango has rekindled that love. See if you can spot DS' doppelganger! (Clue: he's a primate!)



Be back soon! Have a wonderful end of spring/start of summer!

Year 1, Weeks 37 - 38

One of the subjects we sorely neglect is American History. Part of it is due to my own ignorance on the subject...I grew up in Malaysia after all. Part of the reason is simply that we always have something else to do first.

DS has a number of books on various topics related to American History, most of them by Jean Fritz and a handful from the You Wouldn't Want To series. He also loves Jennifer Armstrong's The American Story. And given the chance, he'd tell you a thing or two you might not have known about one of the presidents. So it's not like he hasn't read anything on the subject.

However, being the anxiety-ridden parent I am, I thought that although we're officially already wrapping up Year 1, a little historical visual stimulus would do us both some good. So...enter Liberty's Kids!

Now if this isn't one of the darndest best American History "curricula" (we're enjoying the DVDs but there are books and educational software too!) I've seen for the 5-8 yo age group I don't know what is :) We don't have cable TV at home so I have no idea when this series was aired but it sure has DS hooked.

So this is our delightfully animated viewing "project" for the coming 2 weeks.

The following are three American History curricula I've been meaning to research further, not so much to use them, but just because I'm curious (wink!):

Simply Presidential (seems secular)

Drive Thru History (not secular but since it's in a DVD format and reviews say it's hilarious, I think DS might like it)

All American History from Bright Ideas Press (also not secular but I like their chronological approach better than a few other books I've seen).

SF Symphony Field Trip, May 8

We joined the kids from his co-op for another lovely field trip, this time to the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra's matinee show for students at the Davies Symphony Hall.


Despite the traffic and hunt for parking, we happily made it in time for the 11.30am performance.

DS, of course, couldn't resist conducting along with the music. Luckily, we were seated right at the back and he didn't create much of a distraction.

The program:
Rossini Overture to Semiramide
Gershwin An American in Paris
Nathaniel Stookey Wide as Skies
Beethoven Finale from Symphony No. 7
Dvořák Slavonic Dance No. 2
Dvořák Cello Concerto: Featuring cellist Nathan Chan from the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra
Britten Fugue from The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra

The kids were also introduced to the Four Elements of Music: Composer, Conductor, Musician, Audience

Be sure to check out the symphony's smorgasbord of interesting musical tidbits on their website.
My favorite related web pages:
SFSKids
Musical Styles
KeepingScore
the sensational Primal Moves,
YouTube Symphony Orchestra
and SF Symphony Director, Michael Tilson Thomas.

Star Trek 2009

A lotta die-hard trekkies out there are going to want my head over this one. But I will be bold and go where possibly no loyal trekkie has gone before or will go...and say that Star Trek 2009 failed to excite me for more than, possibly, say, hmmm...20 minutes?

The only scene that got me all tingly in the spine and nostalgic was when my beloved Mr Nimoy, all pointy-eared and silver-haired, flashed that Vulcan Salute to young Kirk and said the words that I've always loved to hear from him: Live Long and Prosper. And I was kind of happy when we had that adorable lobster-like monster nipping on the heels of our young upstart.

DS thought it was good. Just good. Not awesome or cool or fantastic. I think he was secretly miffed at me for covering his eyes over certain scenes and on top of that, finishing his Dibs (our standard movie fare) without his permission.

DH, extremely loyal trekkie that he is, thought it was the best Star Trek movie he's ever seen.

Oh well, differences in opinion and the finishing of Dibs without your child's permission...I guess that's what as Spock would say, makes us humans, well, human.

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Quick footnote: I realized only recently that not everyone is able to actually do the Vulcan salute! It comes very naturally for me, almost as naturally for DH but not for DS! And a friend I met yesterday couldn't do it either. Interesting...

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park (May 2)

We joined a bunch of kids from his co-op on a field trip to the glorious Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in Felton, CA. Our docent was a very helpful guy indeed who not only deftly answered questions from the kids but also regaled us with great tales about the area's famed link with John C. Fremont.

The park is a true gem. Not only did we see deer in the grasslands and had our first encounter with banana slugs, I also couldn't stop snapping photos of the delightful promenade of redwood trees (a lot like Muir Woods) and had an exciting hike down to the river that runs through it.

Here are some snaps from our trip.

A study of canopies, angles and perspectives.

Clockwise from top left: carpets of redwood sorrel, a pinch of lichen,
edible miner's lettuce and banana slug!

Natural beauty from clockwise top left: albino redwood, redwood canopy,
a mosaic of color on the forest floor and interesting trunk formations
(this one reminded me a little of the head of a koala in profile).

Year 1, Weeks 35 - 36

These were/are to be weeks of books and bunny trails. We have so many books that we started on but didn't complete due to various reasons so that's we've been doing this week (Week 35) and will be doing next week (Week 36).

Read and loved The Enormous Egg by Oliver Butterworth. Deightful tale of a boy who keeps a pet dinosaur after it hatches out of a hen's egg. Lots of deep thoughts there (disguised as fun and funny reading) about how ignorance of people in power can destroy what's precious if you let it. And many reminders of how important it is to actually listen when someone, especially someone young, is speaking.

Found this book: The Story of Science by Anna Claybourne and Adam Larkum at the Book Depository. Another Usborne winner. Lots of slapping forehead for not finding it sooner LOL. A very entertainingly visual depiction of the history of discoveries and inventions and the people behind them.

The content doesn't actually go into a lot of depth but there's enough here to whet the appetite and spark a wonderful trail of learning.

Here are snaps of two spreads from the book:




Lots of giggles with Murderous Maths The Mean and Vulgar Bits (fractions and averages) and Murderous Maths The Perfect Sausage (various formulas). Although much of the content was possibly over his head, he was extremely absorbed anyway and had so much fun with these. We got our copies from the Book Depository by the way (clearly one of my new favorite places to shop online).

Reading Gandhi by the wonderful Leonard Everett Fisher. Out of print hardback picture book that offers some insight into the life of the amazing icon of Indian history. He also has Fisher's David and Goliath in his library bin. Also, The Saracen Maid by Leon Garfield (a short and witty romance says an Amazon reviewer...will have to check out what it's about since DS isn't always into romances but seems to like this one).

Other read alouds we haven't finished are Prometheus Project: Trapped by Douglas E. Richards and The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum.

The former is a sci-fi tale of two siblings who are plunged into an amazing adventure when they discover that their scientist parents are embroiled in a research project involving extra terrestrial technology. The writing itself isn't top quality but the story reveals many scientific concepts including the workings of the immune system and principles of the scientific method. Plus, there was solving of codes that got DS excited as usual. There's a sequel too: Prometheus Project: Captured.

The latter of course, is the well-loved classic that brought us all Dorothy and Toto and The Tin Woodman and The Scarecrow and the Cowardly Lion. And the Wicked Witch of the West. Thinking of trying to catch Wicked one of these days.

We're still listening to A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson in the car and there have been lots of discussion and animated narration during lunch and dinner (Mom, did you know... and Mom, do you remember what Short History of Nearly Everything said about...).

Also, DS is excited to try his hand at cursive writing and this is the book we've decided on since it brought about his most interested response: Cursive Writing Made Easy & Fun. We were lucky to find a much cheaper new copy on Amazon last week...prices now are preposterous!




One of his favorite leisurely reads is The Complete Family Medical Guide by Dr Warwick Carter (Hinkler Books). It was actually a Moms' Day gift to me two years ago from his (terribly practical) Dad. So from about the age of 4.5, he began reading some of it (mostly about symptoms of various diseases) and enjoying the pictures. Nowadays, he has taken to diagnosing his Dad's and my variety of sighs or complaints of this pain or that. Like if I say my tummy doesn't feel good, he asks if I have a leather bottle stomach and recites the string of symptoms from memory (which include weight loss, so obviously I don't have this disease). Just loves the stuff!

Off I go now to analyse how two and a half people produce so much laundry.

Happy Mothers' Day dear reader!

Pondering Another Change in Direction

I know for a fact that many homeschoolers count the wide offering of resources on the Internet and curriculum at curriculum fairs a blessing. But for me, it's all becoming a huge headache.

I think from the outset I've been trying too hard. Trying to fit so much in. Get everything "done". And all at the same time.

I've done everything from planning a whole year ahead to months at a time to weeks at a time to finally counting myself satisfied if even a day at a time works.

But lately, several realizations have hit me hard. That for my son, no one learning approach, and especially of a highly structured sort, is going to work and that I've been trying to impose instruction exactly where I shouldn't.

Our across-the-Bay house hunting treks haven't helped any either. And the kiddo is being carschooled more and more, funschooled less and less and sort of unschooled somewhere in-between. Sorely neglected at times too. Exactly what I did NOT want to achieve.

I'm thinking of loosely planning on only two subjects being brought to the table each morning and letting everything else just fall into place as they come. The two being an activity-based Math lesson using a resource of his own choosing, and then DVD-based Latin since he seems to have a liking for the language, with workbook on the side if it is needed.

I'm also contemplating ending our Year 1 here and now. We haven't completed all our Ancient Egypt resources as I'd hoped we would (that was my plan to indicate a Year 1 Finale) but then again, he has spent more than half the year on the topic, still loves it and will probably want to pick up more books on it even if we move on so no harm done.

Goes to show how much our homeschooling keeps evolving over time.