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All About Spelling vs Spelling You See

Two homeschool language arts programs, compared on what actually decides the fit: what each one teaches, how your child feels about writing, and how much you'll teach.

Updated September 2026 · based on parent reviews and publisher information

The short answer

Choose All About Spelling if…

  • Teaching style: Structured, step by step

Choose Spelling You See if…

  • Teaching style: Gentle, literature-based
  • Teaching style: Relaxed, interest-led

Still torn? Answer a few questions and see how both rank for your child, side by side.

Compare for my child

Side by side

All About SpellingSpelling You See
Grades1st–12thK–8th
Coversspellingspelling
ApproachOrton-Gillingham, multisensory spellingDevelopmental, copywork and dictation-based spelling
Who teachesThe parent teaches from a scripted guideThe parent teaches from a scripted guide
Parent prepLow (fully scripted)Low (daily huddle and dictation guide)
Screen timeMostly offline (books and paper)Mostly offline (books and paper)
Video lessonsNot yet checkedNot yet checked
FaithNo religious contentNo religious content
Cost$69.95 per level (Levels 1-6); Level 7 $49.95About $42-65 per level (Level B "Jack and Jill" is $65)
Parents love
  • Highly multisensory, effective for struggling spellers
  • Fully scripted, no lesson prep
  • Reusable letter tiles across siblings
  • Stress-free, natural approach
  • Great for visual learners
  • Short daily activities
Common complaints
  • Daily scripted tile routine feels slow to some
  • Per-level cost across 7 levels adds up
  • Skill drills, not literature-based
  • Feels pricey relative to typical spelling programs
  • New level purchase needed each year
  • Less traditional than a word-list approach

What parents say

All About Spelling

Parents consistently point to the multisensory, Orton-Gillingham method as the reason this works even for kids who've struggled with spelling elsewhere: letter tiles, a scripted teacher's manual and short daily lessons build the skill step by step. The daily tile routine feels slow to some families, and the cost across seven levels adds up, especially since it's skill drills rather than literature-based practice.

Spelling You See

Parents describe this as a stress-free, natural approach to spelling: no rote word lists, just chunking and copywork/dictation that develops spelling sense over time, well-suited to visual learners. Some reviewers find it pricey relative to a typical spelling workbook, and each level is a new purchase rather than one consumable book.

Questions parents ask

Is All About Spelling or Spelling You See better?

Neither is better for every child. All About Spelling is the stronger fit for structured, step by step. Spelling You See is the stronger fit for gentle, literature-based; relaxed, interest-led.

What does each one cover?

All About Spelling: spelling. Spelling You See: spelling.

Which costs less, All About Spelling or Spelling You See?

All About Spelling: $69.95 per level (Levels 1-6); Level 7 $49.95. Spelling You See: About $42-65 per level (Level B "Jack and Jill" is $65).

Sources (14)

Summaries are in our own words.