If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Which spelling program should I use?”—you’re not alone! Spelling is one of those subjects with endless options, from traditional workbooks to multisensory, phonics-rich methods and audio-based mastery programs.
As a homeschooler for over 20 years with my three kids, I have seen and used a lot of homeschool curriculum. This series of posts began with grammar, and now we are focusing on spelling, but won’t end there. I plan to share about all of the subjects and all of the homeschool curriculum we have used over the years.
Below I’ll compare some of the most popular homeschool spelling programs, highlighting their approach, target ages, things to consider, and purchase options. Some of the links below are affiliate links.
First, you’ll see the spelling programs we used in our homeschool, and then other spelling curricula available.
All About Spelling
We used All About Spelling with all three of my children. This is the program we used the most and kept coming back to. See a full review I wrote here!
- Grades: 1st & up
- Approach: Orton-Gillingham based, multisensory, explicit phonics instruction.
- Best for: Parents who want a highly structured, multisensory, research-based program (especially for struggling or dyslexic learners).
- Purchase Options: All About Learning, Christian Book
180 Days of Spelling
We tried this for one year when my daughter was in middle school, and we did like it. The combo of vocabulary included was a neat feature.
- Grades: K-6th
- Approach: Daily workbook lessons; short, consistent practice.
- Best for: Busy parents needing a grab-and-go workbook for daily routine.
- Purchase Options: Christian Book, Amazon
Evan-Moor Skill Sharpeners
We used this when my daughter was young because she loved workbooks. It was an extra thing, not our main spelling curriculum.
- Grades: K-6th
- Approach: Workbooks with themed weekly lists and practice pages.
- Best for: Parents wanting straightforward, workbook-based spelling practice without teaching time.
- Purchase Options: Evan-Moor, Christian Book, Amazon
Spelling Workout
We tried Spelling Workout one year when my oldest son didn’t want to to All About Spelling. It was fine but I did not prefer it.
- Grades: 1st-8th
- Approach: Traditional workbook series with phonics-based lists, exercises, puzzles.
- Best for: Families wanting a straightforward, phonics-based workbook with varied activities to keep spelling practice interesting.
- Purchase Options: Christian Book, Amazon
Below are spelling programs we have not personally used. This isn’t an exhaustive list, just some others I have heard good things about from other homeschoolers.
IEW Phonetic Zoo
- Grades: 3–8+
- Approach: Audio-based, mastery with self-testing.
- Best for: Auditory learners, independent workers, those wanting self-directed mastery.
- Purchase Options: IEW, Christian Book, Amazon
Spelling You See
- Grades: K – 8
- Approach: Visual, copywork-based, natural spelling acquisition.
- Best for: Charlotte Mason-inspired families, kids who get test anxiety, visual learners.
- Purchase Options: Spelling You See, Christian Book, Amazon
Soaring with Spelling
- Grades: 1st – 8th
- Approach: Workbook-based program combining spelling lists with vocabulary definitions and exercises.
- Best for: Parents wanting an open-and-go workbook that reinforces both spelling and vocabulary in one program.
- Purchase Options: Jackris Publishing
Sequential Spelling
- Grades: 2nd – adult
- Approach: Word-family approach with daily cumulative lists.
- Best for: Struggling spellers needing to internalize patterns through daily practice.
- Purchase Options: Sequential Spelling, Christian Book, Amazon
A Reason for Spelling
- Grades: 1–6
- Approach: Scripture-integrated lessons with weekly stories.
- Best for: Christian homeschoolers wanting to integrate faith and language arts.
- Purchase Options: A Reason For, Christian Book, Amazon
Spelling Power
- Ages: 8–adult (one book covers all levels)
- Approach: Mastery-based, individualized lists.
- Best for: Families with multiple ages who want one book for everyone, or those wanting efficient, mastery-focused review.
- Purchase Options: Spelling Power, Christian Book, Amazon
Which Spelling Curriculum Is Right for You?
It really depends on your child’s learning style, your teaching philosophy, and how much time you want to spend:
- Multisensory/Phonics-heavy: All About Spelling, Sequential Spelling
- Mastery-Based: Spelling Power, Phonetic Zoo
- Workbooks/Traditional: Evan-Moor, 180 Days
- Natural/Contextual: Spelling You See, A Reason for Spelling
Spelling can be one of the easiest subjects to tailor, so don’t be afraid to switch things up if one approach isn’t working.
What about you? Have you tried any of these? Which one is your favorite? Do you use a spelling program I didn’t feature? Share your experience in the comments!
Click below to see more posts in this series.
