Spelling Power is a spelling curriculum designed for students aged 8 through high school. It focuses on mastering 5,000 commonly used words and uses a diagnostic approach to tailor learning for each student.
Most homeschool families report completing core academic subjects in 3-4 hours per day for elementary students, compared to the 6-7 hours typical of traditional schools, due to the one-on-one instruction and absence of classroom management overhead (NHERI, 2024).
What is spelling power?
Spelling Power is a spelling program by Beverly L. Adams-Gordon. It works for kids ages 8 to high school with just one purchase. The program organizes 5,000 common English words into 47 phonetic groups at 11 levels. Instead of memorizing lists, it uses tests to find which words your child needs to learn. Then, it offers hands-on activities to help them master those words. Since 1993, over 250,000 families have benefited from its effective and thorough approach.
How it works
Each lesson has three parts. First, a quick five-minute pre-test shows which words your child doesn't know yet. If they spell a word right, they skip it—no time wasted on what they already know. Next, spend five minutes studying the missed words with the program's method. Finally, there's a hands-on activity for five minutes. This could be letter tiles, games, or exercises that appeal to different learning styles. All this means you only need 15 minutes a day for effective spelling instruction.
Placement and progression
New students start with diagnostic tests to find their right level, no matter their grade. For example, a 6th grader might begin at Level 4, while a smart 4th grader may start at Level 6. This way, struggling spellers won’t feel frustrated, and advanced ones won’t get bored. As kids master each phonetic group, they move through the program at their own speed. The 47 phonetic groups teach spelling rules systematically, helping kids understand why words are spelled a certain way.
What's included
The Spelling Power Teacher's Manual costs about $65. It has everything: word lists, teaching instructions, activity guides, and placement tests. Each student needs a Student Record Book for tracking progress, which is around $8. Unlike some programs needing yearly purchases, Spelling Power is a one-time buy that lasts for multiple kids. You can reuse it for siblings, which is great for larger families. Some families also use letter tiles or other manipulatives for the activities, but that's optional.
Who it works best for
Spelling Power is perfect for families wanting an efficient way to teach spelling without spending a lot of time. The mastery approach helps both strong spellers—who quickly test out of known words—and those who struggle with challenging patterns. The hands-on methods cater to different learning styles. However, it needs daily practice to be effective; it’s not for occasional use. Some families find the manual overwhelming at first, but taking time to learn the system pays off.
The bottom line
Spelling Power offers a solid, research-based way to teach spelling for the whole family with just one purchase. Its 15-minute daily format respects your time while ensuring effective learning. For families looking for a systematic approach that works across different ages and levels, this one-time investment is cost-effective over time. You need to commit to daily practice and put in some initial effort to get used to the system, but many families see great spelling improvements.
