My daughter had been getting horrible grades in spelling until I started doing this.... these.. illustrations. I created these crazy flash cards in Photoshop, and then used them as the screen saver on our computer. I get the spelling words in advance, open photoshop, and just start image searching. I look for on topic pics, but also I keep the letters in mind that she cannot remember. I look for images that recall or could recall those letters' shapes, as well as reinforce the meaning of the word- a mountain replaces the letter 'a' in peak for example. Another strategy is that I interfere with the letter that she cannot recall- this week I have someone "stealing" the letter 'a' from the word steal. Another week a baby bit off the corner of the letter 'w' from frown. The best spellers are visual. She is visual. I am trying to cement these connections in her head.She has gone from failing to getting A's and a pluses last year. This year she was getting C's and I'm waiting to get out first 'post-visual' test back.



We also put the pics on the photo ipod. She LOVES this, since we don't normally let her play with it. She can't read in the car, but looking at pretty pics on an ipod is ok. makes the short drive to school or babysitter more productive!One lady saw this set after clicking through on an ebay auction. She sent me this email;

"From your G5 pics, I looked at your desperate spelling pics... AMAZING!!! you must be able to partner up with Fisher Price or Disney or someone who can afford to get the stock you need! Isn't there some law about if you alter a pic at least 30% it becomes your creation? might be an art director urban legend.... Baby Einstein came from a mom trying to entertain her child... You should definitely think about this!! I'm going to email the link to your page to every mom I know! I hope something comes of your great creative effort. I know i would LOVE to have a set of such flash cards or a slideshow even though my 2 kids are still under 3. I'll start by spreading the word of what you're doing.

all the best,

Melissa & "THE STORY".