Windows XP and Spell Check on Outlook Express

I just bought a new computer that is running Windows XP.
When I try to use the spell check feature on Outlook
Express, I get a message saying that it's only available
if I have Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel or some other
Microsoft program (I can't remember which one it is). My
new computer came with Microsoft Works, which includes a
word processor program and a spreadhseet program. Why am
I not able to use spell check on my emails? This seems
to me to be a step backwards on Microsoft's part, as I
had the spell check feature on Outlook Express when I was
running Windows ME. Does anybody have any advice for me?
I'm getting tired of typing my emails in Word, spell
checking them and then transferring the text to an email.
Thank you.