What Reviewers Say

Reviewers consistently highlight the 'chunking' method and the absence of traditional tests as the program's defining features. Cathy Duffy notes its unique focus on visual memory rather than phonics rules, making it a distinct alternative to traditional curricula. Parents of children with dyslexia or those who struggle with rote memorization frequently report success, as evidenced in reviews on The Homeschool Mom, citing reduced anxiety and improved retention. However, feedback from the Well-Trained Mind forums suggests that the program can feel repetitive for 'natural spellers' or those who prefer explicit rule-based instruction. While the curriculum is praised for being low-prep and high-engagement for reluctant learners, the heavy reliance on daily copywork is a common point of contention for students who dislike writing by hand.

How It Works

A typical week consists of five short, 10-to-15-minute daily sessions using a student workbook and a set of colored pencils. For younger students, the parent reads a passage aloud while the child identifies and marks specific letter patterns, such as vowel teams or 'silent e' words, using different colors in a process called 'chunking.' Older students spend the first four days of the week practicing copywork and chunking from the same narrative passage to build visual memory. On the fifth day, the parent dictates the same passage while the child writes it out, with the parent providing the correct spelling immediately if the child gets stuck to ensure they never 'visualize' the wrong spelling. The parent's role is primarily to guide the color-coding and provide immediate feedback during dictation rather than teaching formal lessons.

Switching to This?

Demme Learning provides a free 'Getting Started' placement guide on their website that categorizes students by developmental spelling stages rather than grade levels. It is a common community rule of thumb to place a child based on their current reading and handwriting fluency; for example, if a child is not yet comfortable writing simple sentences from dictation, they should start at the 'Jack and Jill' level regardless of their age. There are no standardized tests required for placement, but parents should look for the stage that matches their child’s current writing stamina to avoid burnout. Families can start the program at any time of year because the lessons are incremental and do not follow a traditional 36-week school calendar. When switching from a phonics-heavy program, parents should prepare for a shift in philosophy, as the child will stop memorizing spelling rules and start focusing on visual pattern recognition.

Curriculum Details

Price

$51 - $95

Student packs (workbooks) are typically around $51, while universal sets (including Instructor's Manual) are around $82-$95.

Grades

K - 8

Available As

Print Workbook

Coverage

Single subject

Subjects

Reading/Language Arts

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Pacing

Flexible

Parent Time

10-20 min/day

Parent Involvement

Minimal

Student Independence

Semi-independent

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Academic Level

Grade level

Worldview

Neutral

Engaging for Reluctant Learners

Yes

Videos

Reviews We Consulted

Updated: March 2026

How This Compares

Compared to All About Spelling, which is a teacher-intensive program focused on memorizing phonetic rules and using letter tiles, Spelling You See is a workbook-based approach that emphasizes visual memory and daily copywork. When weighed against Phonetic Zoo, the primary difference is the sensory approach: Phonetic Zoo targets auditory learners through audio tracks and lists, while Spelling You See targets visual and kinesthetic learners through color-coding and repetitive writing. Against Spelling Power, which uses a 'test-study-test' model to skip known words, Spelling You See requires the child to work through every passage, making it better for students who struggle with retention but potentially repetitive for 'natural spellers.' Compared to traditional workbooks like Evan-Moor, Spelling You See removes the pressure of the 'Friday Test' and instead uses dictation within the context of a story to ensure words can be spelled in real-world writing. Finally, unlike many programs that use isolated word lists, Spelling You See uses consistent narrative passages (like nursery rhymes or history facts), which helps children understand how words function together in sentences.

Getting Started