Adams-Gordon's Spelling Power

ElaGrades 3–12

About This Curriculum

A comprehensive, multi-sensory spelling curriculum designed for individualized, self-paced learning that teaches the 5,000 most frequently used words using phonetic principles and spelling rules.

What makes it unique: All-in-one program for ages 8 through college using a frequency-based word list (rather than traditional grade levels) with diagnostic placement, spaced review, and mastery-based progression at each student's own pace.

Adams-Gordon's Spelling Power: Individualized Multi-Sensory Spelling Program

Adams-Gordon's Spelling Power is a comprehensive, self-paced spelling curriculum that teaches 5,000 frequently used words through phonetic principles and spelling rules. The program uses diagnostic testing and mastery-based learning where students only study words they haven't mastered, making it highly individualized for grades 3-12.

Best for

Homeschooling families and small group settings seeking individualized, mastery-based spelling instruction for students who need remediation or acceleration in spelling skills

Evaluation Criteria

4 strengths · 2 concerns · 1 neutral · 2 insufficient evidence

Teacher TrainingStrength

The curriculum provides comprehensive teacher support through detailed instructions, DVD training, and online resources.

Includes 'Quick Start DVD that makes getting started easier' with 'actual lessons with a student,' plus 'free access to a teacher's resource website' and detailed instruction manual

Direct InstructionStrength

The program requires daily direct instruction from teachers, supporting explicit teaching approaches.

Teachers 'need to spend five minutes per day in direct instruction' and 'direct instruction will be required at first' with clear lesson structure

Retrieval PracticeStrength

The curriculum incorporates strong retrieval practice through pretesting, review cycles, and spaced repetition.

Students 'pretest words but then study only those with which they have trouble' and 'frequently misspelled words are reviewed periodically' with 'six levels of built-in review'

Systematic PhonicsStrength

The curriculum incorporates phonetic principles as a foundation for spelling instruction, which supports phonics understanding.

Word lists are organized 'based on common elements such as phonetic principles or spelling rules' and uses a 'phonic-based spelling program' approach

Knowledge RichConcern

The curriculum is not knowledge-rich as it focuses narrowly on spelling without building domain knowledge across subjects.

The program teaches 5,000 frequently used words through phonetic principles and spelling rules, but does not systematically build knowledge across history, science, or arts

Writing InstructionConcern

The curriculum does not provide structured writing instruction beyond spelling skills.

Optional Activity Task Cards include 'writing prompts' but the core program is described as spelling-focused without systematic writing instruction

Vocabulary BuildingNeutral

The program focuses on spelling rather than explicit vocabulary instruction, though it does work with frequently used words.

The curriculum teaches the '5,000 most frequently used words' but is described as a spelling program without mention of vocabulary meaning or context instruction

Text ComplexityInsufficient Evidence

Text complexity is not applicable as this is a spelling-focused curriculum without extended texts.

The program works with word lists rather than complex texts for reading comprehension

Whole Books Vs ExcerptsInsufficient Evidence

This curriculum focuses specifically on spelling instruction and does not involve reading whole books or excerpts.

The program is described as a spelling curriculum that uses word lists and diagnostic tests, with no mention of literature or extended texts

Sources: cathyduffyreviews.com