AMDG+

Dear Homeschooling Mom;

Thank you for your question.

While we have no placement tests, if your son is having difficulty with spelling, I would suggest beginning with the speller that is just below his current grade level.  For example, if he is in second grade, he would normally be using My Catholic Speller A.  Thus, to go down one level, he would instead begin with My Very First Catholic Speller.

The advantages to beginning with a lower level book are that the lower level will expose him to phonics and spelling approaches that he may be lacking and he may, for the first time, begin to have success with spelling.  Laying this early and solid foundation will prepare him for success at the next level.  In addition, he may be able to work through the lower level book fairly rapidly and thus catch up to his grade level.

If your son seems to work above level in most areas, it would be prudent to begin with the speller that is for his grade level.  Should you find that he breezes through that level, you will still have the assurance that he does, indeed, have the foundation to move on to the next level without the danger of skipping an important spelling or phonics concept.

May Our Lord bless and guide your homeschooling days,

Nancy Nicholson