Need Help with Home Schooling Please

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Need Help with Home Schooling Please

by Tresa
(Michigan)

Help with Home Schooling My Son

Hello,
I am currently homeschooling my 7 year-old and he is dyslexic. I need help with home schooling curriculum. I need one that is geared towards helping him learn since the curriculum taught in public schools wasn't effective. He has difficulty in math and is currently not able to read. Please if you have any information I would appreciate it. Thanks, Tresa

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Need Help with Home Schooling Please

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Oct 05, 2009
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Help with math
by: Anonymous

This article is very specific about how to help your child learn math facts. Basically, first find out which facts your child knows, then use strategies and tricks to teach new one. But first, make sure your child can demonstrate number sense-what the numbers mean, and what addition and subtraction etc. mean.

Homeschoolers, article on teaching math facts. See Homeschool Corner, Online Resources http://creation.com/focus-on-helping-children-learn-math-facts

Oct 06, 2009
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there is help
by: mrs dani

I would first suggest contacting your local homeschool support group. You are not the only one struggling with this. Get the advice of others who are going through this. They know better than any expert.

Also, the HomeSchool legal Defense Association (www.hslda.org) has a special program for learners who need extra help. The emails (that I get) are special encouragement and helps for those of us with children with special learning needs. The link is at http://www.hslda.org/strugglinglearner/default.asp

Good luck and do not give up. It is easy to get worn down and doubt yourself. Get with a good homeschool group (and not just one with children with special learning needs) You can do this! God Bless.

Oct 06, 2009
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Help with Home Schooling
by: Heather

Great tips so far, thanks so much for posting!

Tresa,
This past year I taught my hesitant child how to read. She doesn't have any learning problems or disabilities, she just wasn't ready to read yet.

I wouldn't worry too much about your son not being able to read yet - yes the dyslexia may make learning harder for him, but he's only seven.

Public schools have an agenda. They dictate when a child should learn to read, write, etc. If your child doesn't learn on the school's timeline, parents often begin to worry, which may put more stress on a child.

Often these kids start to fall through the cracks or get labeled when sometimes they are just not ready.

I am glad you are homeschooling your son. He can now learn on his own timeline, in a way that's best for him.

Learning Language Arts Through Literature (LLATL) is a very easy-to-use language arts program. The Blue Book Kit for first grade is a wonderful homeschool reading program.

I used it last year for my reluctant reader and she is reading easy chapter books now.

(If money is an issue, the curriculum uses the Bob Books that you can find at your library. Focus on one book for the week, learn each letter and sound (at the front of the book), copy the short sentences for handwriting and play some games that reinforce the letters and sounds for the week.)

If your son resists reading, don't worry. Read to him, play games with him and do activities that help him see that reading is fun. Eventually he will read. Some children do not learn to read until much older.

Pushing him too hard may make him resistant. He may feel bad that he couldn't learn to read in school.

Anyway, many homeschoolers use LLATL, so you may find a used kit - I would send you mine, but I got one more little one :). You can also find a discounted copy of the LLATL Blue Book Kit at CBD.

Find additional home school math help, resources and curriculum reviews, written by other parents.

If you have any other questions, please ask!
Blessings,
Heather

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Oct 06, 2009
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Submitted by: Heather

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Great tips so far, thanks so much for posting! Tresa, This past year I taught my hesitant child how to read. She doesn't have any learning problems or disabilities, she just wasn't ready to read yet. I wouldn't worry too much about your son not being able to read yet - yes the dyslexia may make learning harder for him, but he's only seven. Public schools have an agenda. They dictate when a child should learn to read, write, etc. If your child doesn't learn on the school's timeline, parents often begin to worry, which may put more stress on a child. Often these kids start to fall through the cracks or get labeled when sometimes they are just not ready. I am glad you are homeschooling your son. He can now learn on his own timeline, in a way that's best for him. Learning Language Arts Through Literature (LLATL) is a very easy-to-use language arts program. The Blue Book Kit for first grade is a wonderful homeschool reading program. I used it last year for my reluctant reader and she is reading easy chapter books now. (If money is an issue, the curriculum uses the Bob Books that you can find at your library. Focus on one book for the week, learn each letter and sound (at the front of the book), copy the short sentences for handwriting and play some games that reinforce the letters and sounds for the week.) If your son resists reading, don't worry. Read to him, play games with him and do activities that help him see that reading is fun. Eventually he will read. Some children do not learn to read until much older. Pushing him too hard may make him resistant. He may feel bad that he couldn't learn to read in school. Anyway, many homeschoolers use LLATL, so you may find a used kit - I would send you mine, but I got one more little one :). You can also find a discounted copy of the <a target=_blank href="http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/easy_find?Go=Go#FL10&Go.x=10&Go.y=8&N=0&Ne=0&Ntk=keywords&Ntt=LLATL&action=Search&cms=1&event=AFF&nav_search=1&p=1134287&within=1016INT" rel="nofollow">LLATL Blue Book Kit</a> at CBD. Find additional <a href="http://www.homeschool-curriculum-savings.com/home-school-math.html">home school math help</a>, resources and curriculum reviews, written by other parents. If you have any other questions, please ask! Blessings, Heather

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Oct 06, 2009
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Book Recommendation for Special Needs
by: Heather P

I recommend the book "Called Parenting" by Doug and Patsy Arnold. It is a resource specifically geared toward homeschooling special needs kids. They are the founders of the group Texas' Special Kids. I went to one of their seminars this past summer and came away with many ideas for modifications and ways to choose curriculum.

Oct 06, 2009
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You Can Do It
by: Anonymous

I agree with Heather!! Give your boy time to fit his schedule, not the with school districts. I would also recommend a series called Explode the Code. I believe it is a very good program for beginning readers. One of my boys is dyslexic, I found it helps a lot if you let him also also draw his letters in the air with his fingers. It works best if you can turn it into a game.

Oct 07, 2009
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From a mom of three dyslexics!
by: Kathy

I'm going to have to respectfully disagree with those that say reading will "click" when he's ready. Certainly, we expect our children to begin reading much too early, however reading will never click into place for most dyslexics without systematic, explicit, multisensory instruction.

All of my children are dyslexic, ranging from mild to profound. They all also have other learning disabilities that can go hand in hand with dyslexia. It's no easy task to homeschool these children, but it's hands down the best thing for them. All of the professionals we have gone to for testing & therapy (who otherwise are pro-public school) are absolutely supportive of homeschooling, even saying it's the best environment for them.

First, try to get your hands on a copy of a GREAT DVD called "How Difficult Can This Be? The F.A.T. City Workshop" put on by Rick Lavoie. It's truly outstanding and will help you understand not just the learning problems, but how your child is affected by each problem (basically like seeing schoolwork through their eyes).

For reading, your child will benefit the most from an Orton Gillingham based reading program. We use the Barton Reading and Spelling System (www.BartonReading.com) It has been designed for use by parents or any other person who has no O.G. background. Each level comes with DVD tutor training, each lesson is totally scripted to make you feel completely comfortable. Susan Barton herself will answer any and all questions (either by email or phone) and is the most generous person I've ever seen with her time! The system is quite expensive, but well worth it. My neice (who is severely dyslexic herself, and is now teaching her own dyslexic children to read) found the first few levels on ebay at a discounted rate.

If you decide against Barton, the other fabulous O.G. based reading system is Wilson Reading (www.wilsonlanguage.com) It's a great program, but not nearly as user friendly as Barton.

I would highly recommend getting on an email support group for homeschoolers with dyslexic children called The Heart of Reading. It's a Yahoo group. The amount of support and knowledge in that group is wonderful!

For math, a great program is Math U See. This has been the only math curriculum that has helped our oldest, who also has dyscalcula (like dyslexia with math...I think the stat I read said about 60% of dyslexics also have dyscalcula)

Good luck to you! God has given you a huge task, but it is not at all impossible! It only takes one person in a childs life who is committed to being his cheerleader and support to spur him on to more than anyone thought he could be :)

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Oct 07, 2009
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Submitted by: Kathy

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I'm going to have to respectfully disagree with those that say reading will "click" when he's ready. Certainly, we expect our children to begin reading much too early, however reading will never click into place for most dyslexics without systematic, explicit, multisensory instruction. All of my children are dyslexic, ranging from mild to profound. They all also have other learning disabilities that can go hand in hand with dyslexia. It's no easy task to homeschool these children, but it's hands down the best thing for them. All of the professionals we have gone to for testing & therapy (who otherwise are pro-public school) are absolutely supportive of homeschooling, even saying it's the best environment for them. First, try to get your hands on a copy of a GREAT DVD called "How Difficult Can This Be? The F.A.T. City Workshop" put on by Rick Lavoie. It's truly outstanding and will help you understand not just the learning problems, but how your child is affected by each problem (basically like seeing schoolwork through their eyes). For reading, your child will benefit the most from an Orton Gillingham based reading program. We use the Barton Reading and Spelling System (www.BartonReading.com) It has been designed for use by parents or any other person who has no O.G. background. Each level comes with DVD tutor training, each lesson is totally scripted to make you feel completely comfortable. Susan Barton herself will answer any and all questions (either by email or phone) and is the most generous person I've ever seen with her time! The system is quite expensive, but well worth it. My neice (who is severely dyslexic herself, and is now teaching her own dyslexic children to read) found the first few levels on ebay at a discounted rate. If you decide against Barton, the other fabulous O.G. based reading system is Wilson Reading (www.wilsonlanguage.com) It's a great program, but not nearly as user friendly as Barton. I would highly recommend getting on an email support group for homeschoolers with dyslexic children called The Heart of Reading. It's a Yahoo group. The amount of support and knowledge in that group is wonderful! For math, a great program is Math U See. This has been the only math curriculum that has helped our oldest, who also has dyscalcula (like dyslexia with math...I think the stat I read said about 60% of dyslexics also have dyscalcula) Good luck to you! God has given you a huge task, but it is not at all impossible! It only takes one person in a childs life who is committed to being his cheerleader and support to spur him on to more than anyone thought he could be :)

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Oct 07, 2009
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Thank you for your comments!
by: Heather

Kathy,
Thanks so much for sharing your comments and curriculum recommendations for dyslexic students.

I so appreciate your input as I do not have any dyslexic children.

I understand that teaching children with learning difficulties isn't easy and many times "regular" products or materials don't work. My main concern was relieving any unnecessary worry from Tresa's public school experience.

Your advice is very helpful and will help parents relax a little as they find help for their struggling learners.

As you point out, there are solutions and resources available, although sometimes hidden, and it takes wonderful people like you to guide us in the right direction. :)

Thanks Kathy, for taking the time to post your thoughts to my website.

Blessings,
Heather

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