Apples 2

Apples 2 follows the same format as the original Apples (see our review for how it works), providing practice to aid memorization of words that do not follow a rule (especially long-vowel words). It also incorporates innovative, real-life exercises such as check writing (for the spelling of numbers) and addressing envelopes (for common abbreviations and punctuation in addresses).

A unique aspect of Apples 2 is that it takes into consideration that a poor speller needs repetition and reinforcement. While other spelling programs rush on to introduce new material, Apples 2 reinforces some of the lessons from Apples (about 1/3 of the book repeats difficult rules from the previous year), while also introducing the student to a number of new phonics rules.

In many spelling situations, a hard and fast rule doesn’t exist, and simple repetition and memorization is necessary. Apples 2 exposes the student to these situations through drill work in the form of puzzles, Bible verses, and fill-in-the-blank exercises. Everything you need is included—even a convenient answer key and a helps section. These daily drills will help your student memorize the spellings of common words in a low-stress, non-threatening, manner.

Apples 2 is easy to use (no more than 10 minutes a day), and comes complete with an answer key and a list of spelling exceptions and tips in the back of the book. There are no extensive lists or tests to further demoralize the poor speller—just application of spelling rules in an encouraging Scripture-sentence-or-puzzle.

This won't necessarily clear up all your kids' spelling problems. As Kammerer points out in the introduction, if your adolescent is still a poor speller, chances are they will always have difficulty putting words together properly. However, by keeping phonics rules fresh in their minds and having them repeatedly put those rules to use spelling a variety of words, even the worst spellers should demonstrate improvement after using Apples 2.

Rules covered in Apples 2:

• Long -a sound
• -I before -e except after -c
• Was, want, and what
• The -ou sound
• Numbers
• The -oi sound
• Adding suffixes
• Changing -y to -i, adding suffix
• Long -o sound
• The -au sound
• Multiples of ten, checks
• Long -e sound
• Long -u, -oo, -ew
• Long -i spelled -ight
• Long -i sound
• Why, does, only, who
• Envelopes
• The -ous, -cious, -tious sound
• The -ance and -ence sound
• The -ture sound
• Contractions
• The -ur, -ir, -er sound
• Would, could, should
• The -dge, -tch sounds