Spelling Steps teaches students to spell the words they need for life situations. The vocabulary is drawn largely from a list developed from an analysis of adult reading materials including newspapers, magazines, novels, scientific journals, and other media. The four-binder spelling program is based on a careful plan for teaching spelling skills. It ensures that students not only learn to spell the vocabulary words presented, but also master the skills needed to learn to spell new words in the future. Each student progresses through the program at his or her own rate. Students may grade their own lesson tests and record their scores. This method is recommended for older students and independent study. Each unit concludes with a review lesson and a unit test. The format for unit tests is left open so that teachers may adapt the test to the needs of each student. The teacher may select which words to include and may determine the length and style of the unit test. Spelling Steps includes a wide variety of learning activities designed to reinforce and extend spelling skills. Attention is given to providing learning activities that are of interest to middle, secondary, and adult students.