It really depends on your child's particular need, but some of these are general enough that they cover a variety of struggles. I also like to watch the child read and often find vision therapy is needed. These are books that might be helpful. I also recommend the articles put together by Charles Schwab that are now on the Great Schools web site. http://www.greatschools.org/LD.topic?content=1541
Living with a Challenging Child: Encouragement for Mothers of Children with ADD, Hyperactivity, or Other Behavioral Problems, by Jayne Ray Garrison
Homeschooling the Challenging Child, by Christine M. Field
Heads Up Helping!! Teaching Tips and Techniques for Working With ADD, ADHD, and Other Children with Challenges, by Melinda L. Boring
www.nathhan.org: National Challenged Homeschoolers
You can order a subscription, too
www.hslda.org Home School Legal Defense Association
"Struggling Learners" section--there is a email newsletter you can sign up for and information on the site re:assessing your child for learning disabilities
www.eastersealscentralpa.org You can ask to be put on their mailing list for Therapeutic Recreation Programs (camps, swimming, skiing, etc.--adapted for physical limitations) Offers ACES (Acquiring Community Experiences and Skills) camp in the summer for children with Asperger's Syndrome and High-Functioning Autism. Also has social skills groups in the spring and fall, too.
www.joyceherzog.com Sells Luke's Life List and Luke's School List, which can help you make your own IEP through a series of checklists of skills you want to focus on. The focus verse is Luke 2:52 "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man," and uses that verse to organize various skills, including "favor with God" (spiritual growth) and "favor with man" (social growth).
Thanks to Debbie for much of this information!
Monday, February 15, 2010
Saturday, January 30, 2010
A Thomas Jefferson Education, written by Dr. Oliver DeMille.
I just recently learned about the book A Thomas Jefferson Education, written by Dr. Oliver DeMille. You can find a lot of information as there are many groups of people using this method of education.
You can find other families.
http://www.tjed.org/
You can take on-line classes.
http://www.tjedacademyandprepschool.com/
Check it out.
start here to read their intro to the educational model and the site.
You can find other families.
http://www.tjed.org/
You can take on-line classes.
http://www.tjedacademyandprepschool.com/
Check it out.
start here to read their intro to the educational model and the site.
Friday, December 11, 2009
what to do with a student that hates writing & math?
This question came to me today. Any thoughts on how to do school with a child who absolutely hates writing and math?! I have had a real laid back approach to school but obviously there comes a time when you need to write and you need to do math.
This mom goes on……I have tried so many different math programs, and even some writing ones. I am thinking part of this is just stubbornness in not wanting to do it. If she had her way we'd only read, read, read and do lots of history!! Which I love, but again, we need to do other things. I am concerned that she is "behind" in both areas and will never get caught up. I get caught up in that thinking of "where is she compared to other kids" and then I feel defeated.
Here is my answer. Well, some times you just need to negotiate. You must do this since it is required of you and me sort of statement. Use an idea
below for two weeks. Tell her this is new and we will do it for two weeks, and keep at it, or if you don't like, we will find another
way, but you must write and we are going to do math.
If is is stubbornness, that needs to be addressed too. here is a link to look at....http://www.characterjournal.com/html
There are all sorts of character traits to work on...like http://www.characterjournal.com/html/initiative.htm Initiative or others on the list.
And, then you can find some fun ways to do it too. There are lots of web site for math. Maybe one will appeal. Think outside the box!
Maybe get an old check book and a check register (I have lots of check registers you could have) and do a game with money
and she keeps her balance and she gets paid for "school work" and you subtract out payments for getting rewards or subtract out
for not doing something correctly. You can do multiplication for three times something and then make a payment for that, etc.
Think of anytime you are using math, have her do it for you or explain to her what you are doing, why you need the math, etc.
sale prices at the store, adding up grocery money, etc. Make it "alive for her".
what about a pen pal? typing on the computer? daily grams? fun short things to do. journaling?
http://www.dailygrammar.com/archive.shtml
http://www.theteacherscorner.net/daily-writing-prompts/december/ is daily writing prompts for December. if she does everyone, there can
be a reward to the "check book" which she needs to add in. make it multiplication for how many you did that week if you entry into the registry each Wednesday or each Friday.
here is the link for January
http://www.theteacherscorner.net/daily-writing-prompts/january/
http://www.dailywritingtips.com/ is another resource.
don't feel defeated, think, I can do this and I will find a way that works for us! We are special and we are unique!
click on mental math
there are the four functions.
the left dots are easiest
and you can see how long it takes to get them right.
some get difficult!
http://math.usask.ca/emr/menu.html
free online math fun up through high school and college as well!
MATH
http://www.themathpage.com/
http://www.purplemath.com/quizzes.htm
http://math.usask.ca/emr/menu.html
http://www.mathsisfun.com/
http://www.clc.mnscu.edu/kschulte/mathworksheets.html
http://www.clc.mnscu.edu/kschulte/mathworksheets.html#College
http://college.hmco.com/mathematics/resources/students/ace/college_algebra/ace.html
This mom goes on……I have tried so many different math programs, and even some writing ones. I am thinking part of this is just stubbornness in not wanting to do it. If she had her way we'd only read, read, read and do lots of history!! Which I love, but again, we need to do other things. I am concerned that she is "behind" in both areas and will never get caught up. I get caught up in that thinking of "where is she compared to other kids" and then I feel defeated.
Here is my answer. Well, some times you just need to negotiate. You must do this since it is required of you and me sort of statement. Use an idea
below for two weeks. Tell her this is new and we will do it for two weeks, and keep at it, or if you don't like, we will find another
way, but you must write and we are going to do math.
If is is stubbornness, that needs to be addressed too. here is a link to look at....http://www.characterjournal.com/html
There are all sorts of character traits to work on...like http://www.characterjournal.com/html/initiative.htm Initiative or others on the list.
And, then you can find some fun ways to do it too. There are lots of web site for math. Maybe one will appeal. Think outside the box!
Maybe get an old check book and a check register (I have lots of check registers you could have) and do a game with money
and she keeps her balance and she gets paid for "school work" and you subtract out payments for getting rewards or subtract out
for not doing something correctly. You can do multiplication for three times something and then make a payment for that, etc.
Think of anytime you are using math, have her do it for you or explain to her what you are doing, why you need the math, etc.
sale prices at the store, adding up grocery money, etc. Make it "alive for her".
what about a pen pal? typing on the computer? daily grams? fun short things to do. journaling?
http://www.dailygrammar.com/archive.shtml
http://www.theteacherscorner.net/daily-writing-prompts/december/ is daily writing prompts for December. if she does everyone, there can
be a reward to the "check book" which she needs to add in. make it multiplication for how many you did that week if you entry into the registry each Wednesday or each Friday.
here is the link for January
http://www.theteacherscorner.net/daily-writing-prompts/january/
http://www.dailywritingtips.com/ is another resource.
don't feel defeated, think, I can do this and I will find a way that works for us! We are special and we are unique!
click on mental math
there are the four functions.
the left dots are easiest
and you can see how long it takes to get them right.
some get difficult!
http://math.usask.ca/emr/menu.html
free online math fun up through high school and college as well!
MATH
http://www.themathpage.com/
http://www.purplemath.com/quizzes.htm
http://math.usask.ca/emr/menu.html
http://www.mathsisfun.com/
http://www.clc.mnscu.edu/kschulte/mathworksheets.html
http://www.clc.mnscu.edu/kschulte/mathworksheets.html#College
http://college.hmco.com/mathematics/resources/students/ace/college_algebra/ace.html
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
what about pre-school?
Be careful with formal learning if he is too young. You need to do things with your child that he enjoys. Why do we think we all need to do the same things at the same time as in a group setting?
Every person, even young children, need to go at their own pace and as your son develops, you will find he has wonderful gifts, which might not match everyone else on the planet and I say, "GOOD for Him!
Our society rewards adults that are "different" but in children, we think we have to make everyone the "same." Think of the salaries and fame of unique dancers, sports figures, etc who have a different skill set. Give your son lots of time to explore the world and let him grow up. How do you do this?
go places, walk outside, let him be part of your "work", help in the kitchen, use a mini-broom, do things that you are doing. talk about what you are doing, let him try what you are doing. play with a wash cloth while you are folding laundry, etc. Lot of good things at the local library for free.
And, when he is ready, a little group play such as Joy School, for ages 3,4, & 5!
This is a "do-it yourself" program with other moms using the curriculum
meeting twice a week in homes. After that, it was easy to go into homeschool though some of the Joy School moms went on to send their kids to K and first grade.
here are some links for more research.
http://www.joyschools.com/
Unique Preschool teaching children the fundamental "joys" of life.
Joy Schools are well-established (over 100,000 parents have been teaching) and truly unique preschools. The central belief of Joy School is simply that children, while in their most impressionable years, should be taught life's most important thing, various capacities for joy. A related belief is that children suffer not from being started in academic learning too late, but in starting too soon, before they have a basis of social and emotional self-esteem.
The Joy School preschool lesson plans are written for three, four and five year olds. An age variety in a Joy School group is no problem. In fact, it is often an asset as older ones teach and "tutor" younger ones. There are two different sets of lesson plans, so children can participate in Joy School for two years in a row.
When I did it we only had one year and it was the first set of Joys. Nice way to start out slow!
enjoy them while they are young!
Every person, even young children, need to go at their own pace and as your son develops, you will find he has wonderful gifts, which might not match everyone else on the planet and I say, "GOOD for Him!
Our society rewards adults that are "different" but in children, we think we have to make everyone the "same." Think of the salaries and fame of unique dancers, sports figures, etc who have a different skill set. Give your son lots of time to explore the world and let him grow up. How do you do this?
go places, walk outside, let him be part of your "work", help in the kitchen, use a mini-broom, do things that you are doing. talk about what you are doing, let him try what you are doing. play with a wash cloth while you are folding laundry, etc. Lot of good things at the local library for free.
And, when he is ready, a little group play such as Joy School, for ages 3,4, & 5!
This is a "do-it yourself" program with other moms using the curriculum
meeting twice a week in homes. After that, it was easy to go into homeschool though some of the Joy School moms went on to send their kids to K and first grade.
here are some links for more research.
http://www.joyschools.com/
Unique Preschool teaching children the fundamental "joys" of life.
Joy Schools are well-established (over 100,000 parents have been teaching) and truly unique preschools. The central belief of Joy School is simply that children, while in their most impressionable years, should be taught life's most important thing, various capacities for joy. A related belief is that children suffer not from being started in academic learning too late, but in starting too soon, before they have a basis of social and emotional self-esteem.
The Joy School preschool lesson plans are written for three, four and five year olds. An age variety in a Joy School group is no problem. In fact, it is often an asset as older ones teach and "tutor" younger ones. There are two different sets of lesson plans, so children can participate in Joy School for two years in a row.
When I did it we only had one year and it was the first set of Joys. Nice way to start out slow!
enjoy them while they are young!
Monday, September 21, 2009
what changes did the PDE make to testing requirements
CHANGEs-WRAT not accepted for the 09-10 school year.
The WRAT is a wonderful test that is only an hour and done mostly orally one-on-one, but it is no longer on the accepted list of tests for grades 3, 5, & 8.
I have spent a lot of time trying to plead my case, but as of now, no WRAT's can count for the law. I can still give them and some parents have asked for them, but it is a double cost, since you still need to do one that complies with the law. So, here is the list. I recommend you just do it with YHSA (www.yhsa.org) unless I find another test that I am willing to administer.
http://www.pde.state.pa.us/k12/cwp/view.asp?A=11&Q=54281
is the link for the info below.
The Department has approved the following nationally normed standardized tests for use by home education programs if they choose not to take the statewide test:
1. California Achievement Test
2. Comprehensive Testing Program (CTPIV)
3. Iowa Test of Basic Skills
4. Metropolitan Achievement Test
5. Peabody Achievement Individual Test – Revised Version
6. Stanford Achievement Test
7. Terra Nova
8. Woodcock Johnson Revised Tests of Achievement III
The following additional tests will be accepted until June 30, 2009:
1. Comprehensive Testing Program (CTPII)
2. Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills
3. Peabody Individual Test
4. Wide Range Achievement Test
5. Woodcock Johnson Revised Tests of Achievement
The WRAT is a wonderful test that is only an hour and done mostly orally one-on-one, but it is no longer on the accepted list of tests for grades 3, 5, & 8.
I have spent a lot of time trying to plead my case, but as of now, no WRAT's can count for the law. I can still give them and some parents have asked for them, but it is a double cost, since you still need to do one that complies with the law. So, here is the list. I recommend you just do it with YHSA (www.yhsa.org) unless I find another test that I am willing to administer.
http://www.pde.state.pa.us/k12/cwp/view.asp?A=11&Q=54281
is the link for the info below.
The Department has approved the following nationally normed standardized tests for use by home education programs if they choose not to take the statewide test:
1. California Achievement Test
2. Comprehensive Testing Program (CTPIV)
3. Iowa Test of Basic Skills
4. Metropolitan Achievement Test
5. Peabody Achievement Individual Test – Revised Version
6. Stanford Achievement Test
7. Terra Nova
8. Woodcock Johnson Revised Tests of Achievement III
The following additional tests will be accepted until June 30, 2009:
1. Comprehensive Testing Program (CTPII)
2. Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills
3. Peabody Individual Test
4. Wide Range Achievement Test
5. Woodcock Johnson Revised Tests of Achievement
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