Sequential Spelling
A word-family spelling program by Don McCabe, originally built for dyslexic students. Kids spell a growing family of related words each day and correct mistakes immediately. It is available online for $19.95 per level per child, or as print books.
What is Sequential Spelling?
Sequential Spelling is a spelling program created by Don McCabe and published by Wave 3 Learning. It was first built to help dyslexic students and has since been used with all kinds of learners. Instead of memorizing a weekly list or a set of rules, students spell word families that grow every day. They start with a base like "in," then add pin, spin and spinning. Learning one pattern unlocks many words, and kids figure out the rules from the patterns themselves.
How it works
The daily "test" is the lesson. You say a word, use it in a sentence, and your child tries to spell it. Then they see the correct spelling right away and fix their own mistake before the next word. Errors are part of learning, not something to grade.
Online, the computer does the dictating:
- Your child logs in, hears each word read aloud in a sentence, and types it.
- Feedback is instant, and missed words return at the start of later lessons.
- You check scores and missed words in the parent gradebook.
Lists reach up to 25 words a day. Cathy Duffy estimated about 15 to 20 minutes a day. A weekly grammar module is included online at no extra cost.
In print, you read the words aloud and your child writes them in a workbook, correcting each one as you show it. This version keeps handwriting practice, but a parent must lead every lesson.
What it covers
| Online level | Focus |
|---|---|
| 1 | Foundational phonics and word families |
| 2 | Consonant clusters, short-vowel patterns |
| 3 | Longer words, vowel teams, British spellings noted |
| 4 | Prefixes, suffixes, multisyllable words |
| 5 | Advanced vocabulary and etymology |
Each online level has 180 lessons, more than 4,500 words. The words come in the same order as the printed books, so families can switch formats.
Who it's best for
Sequential Spelling fits kids who have tried rule-heavy programs and still misspell common words. It also suits teens and adults who need catch-up work without little-kid materials. Look elsewhere if your child wants every rule explained. All About Spelling teaches rules explicitly with letter tiles. For intensive dyslexia tutoring, see Barton Reading.
Pricing at a glance
The online program costs $19.95 per level, per child, and never expires. You get five free trial lessons first. Online purchases are not refundable. Print books are sold through homeschool retailers.
Can a scholarship or ESA pay for it?
Spelling curriculum is a common allowable expense in education savings account programs. Some states also run scholarships for students with learning differences. Each program decides what it covers. See scholarships and ESAs by state, including Arizona's ESA and Florida scholarships. Save Sequential Spelling to your Edulist wishlist, and you can apply once to the programs that fit.
How it compares
- Spelling You See also avoids rules, using copywork and chunking.
- Spelling Shed is game-based practice with a K–5 curriculum.
- Logic of English teaches phonograms and rules for reading and spelling together.
Browse more spelling programs, programs for dyslexia, or make practice pages with the spelling worksheet generator.
Who Sequential Spelling is for (and who it isn’t)
Best for
- Struggling spellers and students with dyslexia
- Kids who dislike memorizing spelling rules
- Older students and teens who need remediation without childish materials
- Families who want an independent, low-cost online option
Look elsewhere if
- Children who want rules explained
- Kids who get upset by daily mistakes before correction
- Families who want spelling practiced by hand (online version)
Sequential Spelling pros and cons
Pros
- Only $19.95 per level online, and levels never expire
- Students quickly move from short words to long derived forms
- Online version reads words aloud and checks answers instantly
- Missed words are automatically reviewed
- Free placement test and five free trial lessons
Cons
- Does not teach spelling rules directly
- Online version has no handwriting practice
- Print version needs a parent to dictate every lesson
- No refunds online, so use the free trial first
What’s included
- Word families that grow daily, such as in, pin, spin, spinning
- Daily test as the lesson, with immediate self-correction
- Online: 5 levels, 180 lessons each, up to 25 words a day
- Each word read aloud and used in a sentence
- Missed words automatically reviewed in later lessons
- Weekly grammar module included free online
Sequential Spelling levels
| Level | Grades | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Online Level 1 | By skill | Foundational phonics and word families, with slightly shorter lessons in the first nine days. |
| Online Level 2 | By skill | More word families, consonant clusters and short-vowel patterns. |
| Online Level 3 | By skill | Longer words, vowel teams and alternate British spellings. |
| Online Level 4 | By skill | Prefixes, suffixes, multisyllable words and complex patterns. |
| Online Level 5 | By skill | Advanced vocabulary and etymology, preparing for adult reading and writing. |
A free placement test is available inside the student account after you create a free parent account. Levels do not correspond to grades.
Official Sequential Spelling placement test ↗How much does Sequential Spelling cost?
Sequential Spelling Online is a one-time $19.95 per level, per child. Levels do not expire, and the weekly grammar module is included. Print teacher and student books are sold through homeschool retailers; prices vary.
| Plan | Price | Billed | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online, one level per child | $19.95 | One-time | — |
Free trial: Five free lessons in any level, with no credit card required.
Prices from the provider, checked 2026-10-13. Always confirm on the official site.
Future opening updates
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View wishlistWhat parents say
A summary of public parent feedback we read on forums, app stores and review sites. It is not a set of Edulist family reviews.
Reviewers and parents describe Sequential Spelling as a calm, simple routine that works for struggling spellers and kids who hate rules. Cathy Duffy named it a Top Pick, while noting that some children find the self-correction frustrating.
Common praise
- Simple, repetitive approach lowers stress
- Helps dyslexic and struggling spellers
- Never feels childish for older students
Common complaints
- No explanation of why words are spelled a certain way
- Daily self-correction can frustrate some kids
Sources: cathyduffyreviews.com · sequential spelling for the home school · sequentialspelling.com · testimonials.php
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Sequential Spelling FAQs
How much does Sequential Spelling cost?
Sequential Spelling Online is $19.95 per level, per child, as of October 2026. Levels do not expire, and each level has 180 lessons, so one purchase covers about a school year.
Is Sequential Spelling good for dyslexia?
It was originally created for dyslexic students, and the publisher says it is based on the Orton-Gillingham approach. It teaches word families rather than rules, which suits many struggling spellers.
What level of Sequential Spelling should my child start?
Levels do not match grades. Take the free placement test in your student's account. Cathy Duffy's review suggests most students can start at Level 1 and move at their own pace.
What is the difference between print and online?
The online program reads each word aloud, uses it in a sentence and checks the answer, so kids work alone. It also adds a free grammar module. The print books need a parent to dictate, but they keep handwriting practice.
Is there a free trial?
Yes. You can create a free account and try five lessons in any level with no credit card. Online purchases are not refundable, so use the trial first.
Can teens and adults use Sequential Spelling?
Yes. The words are not childish, and the top online level builds toward adult-level vocabulary and etymology.
Can ESA or scholarship money pay for Sequential Spelling?
Often, as curriculum, but each program decides. Save it to your Edulist wishlist and check your state's scholarship page for current rules.
Sources and last checked
Checked 2026-10-13 against these sources: