Regular spelling texts, as a general rule, pick grade levels for words according to when the specific words first begin to occur in the regular subject matter curriculum.  This would seem to make sense, but it does bring about some rather odd sequences.  Since the word ice may not occur in the curriculum until the 4th grade when it appears in the science class, its introduction is delayed until that time.   Note that in one spelling series the word nice occurs in the 1st grade, twice in the 2nd grade, price in the 5th, and rice in the 6th.  AVKO believes in teaching all the ice words in the same unit. 

Regarding the word scatter,  AVKO teaches it only after the -at sound has been taught in 30 different words.  After the -atter sound has occurred in eight words, and directly after the initial c in cat and the consonant blend sc in scat, then and only then do we teach scatter.   Nearly every student gets it right the very first time.
 

We don't believe it hurts anyone, even a child, to learn a new word.  But that is not why we use the word tat.  We use the word tat as an added practice in sounding out spellings of words having the initial /t/ sound and practice in spelling the ending rime -at.  It also gives the student a pleasant surprise and ego boost when he discovers he can spell a word that he believes he has never heard nor seen before just because he knows how to spell the sounds.
 

Since the students get to correct their own spelling, they should be expected to write clearly and legibly.  In fact, we recommend that these sequential spelling tests be used for handwriting practice because the patterns, being repetitive, can be a help in developing legible handwriting.  We further recommend that if your students print, that they use D'Nealian® manuscript or AVKO's own manuscript (See Let's Write Right). But whatever system of handwriting your school system may require, we believe that writing must be legible.  So yes, by all means, take off for sloppy handwriting.  The only exceptions would be for those who have a physical disability and insufficient small motor skills to write legibly.
 

 Where should I start?  I'm working with 5th graders.  Do I start with Sequential Spelling 5?
  

No.  Unless your students have been exposed to Sequential Spelling before, you should start them with Sequential Spelling 1 or maybe even Sequential Spelling 2.
  

 Do I give my students the words to study?
  

Only if you feel you must.  We have found that students prefer not having to study and that when they correctly spell words that they haven't studied, their self-confidence about spelling begins to zoom. 
  

 How do I give grades?
  

If you must give grades based upon performance, there are pretests and posttests for every 60 day period. 
  

 How many books do I need for my classroom?
  

Just one.  AVKO would love it if you bought one for every student.  But that's not necessary.  One student record book for each student would be very, very convenient and we do recommend that.  However, by using one student response book as a model, you can create your own model for your students to make from spiral notebooks.
  

 Can I give more than one test a day or repeat the same test later in the day?
  

Why not?  You're the teacher.  You know your kids better than we do.  The important thing is to have fun with the tests.  Help your students overcome their fears of making mistakes.  They'll love you for it.
 

 Are the AVKO Sequential Spelling books, Christian spelling books?
  

I'm not sure that there is really such a thing as Christian spelling.  There's correct spelling and there's incorrect spelling. Does the author happen to be Christian?  Yes.  Does AVKO work with Christian home school groups?  Yes.  Will AVKO work with Jewish, Buddhist, Moslem, Hindu, non-denominational groups? Yes.