| Author | |
Chris V
Forum All-Star
Joined: Dec 03 2009
Location: Washington
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1598
|
| Posted: Jan 07 2010 at 1:36pm | IP Logged
|
 |
|
Barbara, Janet, Bethany & other who posted ~ thank you for such sound advice from experience!
I, too, receive a little 'advice' via my MIL, who has a long history in the public education system. I understand her intentions may be all well and good, but her vision for my homeschool does not differ from a classroom and all that a classroom would bring to the table (tests, schedules, boxed learning, etc.).
It is wonderful to hear from others ~ gives me a boost of confidence!
__________________
Chris
Happy Wife with my Happy Life
Mama to My Five Girls ('04~'07~'09~'11~'11) 
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
sunshinyliving
Forum Newbie
Joined: Dec 14 2008
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 48
|
| Posted: Jan 07 2010 at 1:47pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
My two cents:
I'd start with the "Explode the Code Books" A,B, and C. These three workbooks are fun but useful (and look "schoolish" for fathers that are concerned about such things). These first three books cover the letters from A to Z. Even though it will probably be review for your son and he'll probably finish each page quickly, it will make him feel confident in his ability. Then move on to books 1,2 etc.
The workbooks are self-paced, so he can work at his own speed. Some pages will take about 1 minute, others will take about 3 minutes. Going through the pages so quickly will make him feel proud of his accomplishments and excited to move on.
This is what worked for my son at that age.
P.S. You can't beat the price of these workbooks! Many stores that cater to teachers carry these in case you wanted to see one before you buy.
Best wishes!
Diana C.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
CrunchyMom
Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 03 2007
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6385
|
| Posted: Jan 07 2010 at 2:11pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
JodieLyn wrote:
| And considering you told me you're going to look at that ADD book for organizing.. give him something to do with his hands.. a piece of playdough to squish or have him stand on one foot.. it gives him something to do with his body and may allow his mind to focus better. |
|
|
I finally got the book, and wow! I've never seen myself described so clearly on paper! I always thought I was just chronically absent-minded, but I guess that's the same thing as ADD  Of course, it took me two tries to get it from the library (my hold expired the first time), but I think it will be a good resource for me. Thanks for recommending it!
__________________
Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
My Symphony
[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
JodieLyn
Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 06 2006
Location: Oregon
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 12234
|
| Posted: Jan 07 2010 at 2:18pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
And that reminds me to grab mine to take to speech today (it's about a half hour where I try and appear to not be paying attention, while I'm paying attention ) and a book in my hands helps though I move pretty slow through the book. 
__________________
Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Sarah M
Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 06 2008
Location: Washington
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1423
|
| Posted: Jan 07 2010 at 2:48pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I agree with Diana C: the Explode the Code Primer books are awesome- and they are a perfect blend of "schooly" and just plain fun. My kids love them.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Bethany
Forum Pro
Joined: Oct 16 2006
Location: Texas
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 299
|
| Posted: Jan 07 2010 at 3:17pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I just had to get back on and tell you what just happened! My 7.5 yo was reading to me and we were finishing up. My 6 yo(in Oct) said she could read and sat down with a binder that I have the Jan Brett phonograms in and proceeded to read the -at, -an, -ap, and -en words very well. After the experience with my first, I really have relaxed with this one and her only instruction was Leap Frog Letter Factory videos, the first Get Ready for the Code book and any time she asked what something said, I would oblige. She's my most difficult child, so the thought of making her do anything is  .
So, it's interesting for me to see that my oldest, with her more formal instruction, was at about the same point at 6 yo as my second is, with very little instruction.
__________________
Bethany
Wife to Mike, Mommy to Amelia (6/02), Sarah (10/03), Martha Grace (10/05), Rebecca Anne (12/07), Laura Catherine (3/10) and Reed Michael 7/4/14.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
CrunchyMom
Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 03 2007
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6385
|
| Posted: June 26 2010 at 8:58am | IP Logged
|
|
|
So, having followed much of the advice on this thread (namely Letter Factory and more recently Explode the Code books), we have made a bit more progress in recent months!
Its pretty slow and painful, but he CAN blend. I just have to remind him not to guess, to look at the word to read it (and not me or the wall, lol), and just be patient, patient, patient!
I do have a question, though. I've noticed that he has little trouble with encoding. For example, in the Explode the Code books, when it shows the picture and he has to write the word, he needs very little help from me, and that is mostly just a gentle correction because a b/d or p/q is backwards.
Is this normal? Is spelling often so much easier than reading? I mean, he LABORS over decoding, but encoding seems a "breeze."
I think I will start a separate thread on the Montessori Pink/Blue/Green series. But I am considering that for the fall.
I know that reading just takes practice. And when he gets discouraged that he's "the worst reader in the world" (which, he's not, of course), I remind him it just takes practice, and he goes with that. I know its just that he LOVES books, especially chapter books, and the desire to read Dr. Doolittle or Stuart Little, etc... makes him pretty impatient over his labors with three and four letter words.
So, have said that, remind me that it is true. The only "cure" is practice and to just keep doing it!
I think that I will look back over this thread for all the great ideas for games and practice activities. He didn't really seem ready for them 6 months ago, but now he is probably ready, and maybe some of those would provide the same sort of practice I'm imagining would happen from the Montessori materials?
__________________
Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
My Symphony
[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
CrunchyMom
Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 03 2007
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6385
|
| Posted: June 26 2010 at 9:02am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Just wanted to say that he really loves the Explode the Code books, and this summer, I've never asked him to do it once, he's always initiated, and he's three quarters of the way through the first one.
I think that the Letter Factory videos helped a lot in the beginning, and my four year old just loves them as well.
__________________
Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
My Symphony
[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
|
|
4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: Reading Readiness
