Essential. Systematic. Entertaining. Engrossing: words rarely used to describe a speller, but they apply to the unique features of the classic Basic Phonics & Spelling Workbook (BESW). The course begins with its overriding principle: the names of the 26 alphabet letters are different from the 40+ sounds of English. After grasping distinctions between sound-symbols and letters in spelling, learners "develop a feel" for the most frequent sound-spelling correlations: first of "short" vowels (ă ĕ ĭ ŏ ŭ) in the CVC pattern, then of "long" (ā ē ī ō ū) and other (ô ou oi) vowels, consonants with 1 or 2 spellings only, and letter combinations, all in common one-syllable vocabulary items.
Following review, each sequence of numbered exercises (5, 5a, 5b, etc.) within 12 Lessons presents and practices new info in gradual steps. Learners hear items while seeing spellings; print letters from sounds they discern in words, phrases, sentences, and stories; and use newly acquired phonics/spelling skills in vocabulary activities. They put missing letters into items that are illustrated by drawings; elicited by interesting contexts; and defined by meaning clues, rimes, categories, or pairing with opposites. They derive satisfaction by solving puzzles and playing with letters. They assess their knowledge with Progress Tests.
An Ear Logo marks each learning segment to be enhanced by audio: these items can be heard on two BESW CD's and/or read aloud from the Tapescript in the Answer Key of BESW Teacher's Guide. A Book Logoshows sections for which text users can apply educated guesses to possible spellings and then consult a dictionary to check the predictions. An asterisk * designates a segment or an item requiring "higher-level" knowledge or motivation.
The sequel to BESW is Practical Everyday Spelling Workbook (PESW), 978-1-891077-88-3.