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Tina P.
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| Posted: May 31 2008 at 4:08pm | IP Logged
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I have an auditory boy who's entering high school years. I see some things that I think woud fit his learning style, but they don't fit into the neat little box of learning (aka classical education MODG style, which seems to me to be about the most relaxed classical program out there) that I want to squish him into so that I can get on with teaching the other kids. I'm concerned about accreditation, something to write on his transcripts, accountability ...
I've been advised to throw more grammar books at him when he tells me that the proofreading these books ask him to do have "dumb" mistakes in them. I can't argue his point. He's right. They ARE dumb errors {for example, missing one set of quotation marks}. At the same time, I'm reluctant to edit his work myself since I'm afraid that he'll take my editing personally.
His science would be earth science next according to MODG which is a natural interest for him. Listening to a lecture by someone who is passionate about the subject would be right up his alley (if a bit sophisticated). But having to read and write an essay every other day ... I just see his joy in natural science dwindling.  I forced some textbooks (shhh!) on him and the other two oldest kids the first semester of last year. What a disaster! That's not the way science is supposed to be learned! *I* was bored out of my skull listening to their answers ... making them write the answers would have been unbearable torture for all involved.
As for history, he's never been a huge fan of it, probably because he has to read it as opposed to listen to it. Ask him to read himself and it's torture. Ask him to read out loud ... torture. His voice gets mumbly and lower until we can hardly understand what he's saying. When I read to him, he'll play with legos or doodle and I, thinking he has not listened to ONE THING I've said, ask him to reiterate. He can ~ almost verbatim. And he gets excited about the stories and starts to play them out. But I don't have tons of time ~ I'm homeschooling other kids ... you know? ~ to cater to one or even three or four that CAN read. I read aloud to them sometimes. But if I make a habit of constantly reading his assignments aloud, first of all, he doesn't get used to the fact that once he's in college he has to read and secondly, I'm neglecting the other kids. His reading consists of *fun* reads: Bobbsey Twins, Hardy Boys, Lord of the Rings trilogy, the Moffats, and he made it through part of a Redwall book. He struggles with me assigning him to read anything (which is why I wanted to be able to point to a syllabus and say, "That's what it says you have to do here."
I tend to think that what I need to do is what would most benefit HIM (which is what I've been trying to do all along ~ which sometimes backfires in a BIG way). But I'm craving a neat and tidy system for him because I also believe that he needs structure and order in his day. He needs to know what is expected when and with me having a little one in two months ... it just seems more practical and it seems like he can then be more independent of me. How do I puzzle together a program that will fit both of our needs?
So I beg of you wise moms ... help? 
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Tina, wife to one and mom to 9 + 3 in heaven
Mary's Muse
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folklaur
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| Posted: May 31 2008 at 4:27pm | IP Logged
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Just some quick ideas - I'll think more though...
What about using CyberEd for Science? If the Homeschool Buyers Co-op is still offering a group buy, the cost is really reduced!
What about books on tape to start? Some textbooks even can be gotten in tape/cd form (Story of the World, I think, and even sonlight uses that in cores 6&7, which I know people use for high school, too, you just have to beef it up with extras.)
ugh...I know this isn't and tidy though ...sorry...
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cathhomeschool
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| Posted: June 06 2008 at 9:54pm | IP Logged
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Tina, there's certainly no way that you can spend your day reading assignments to him. But, if he learns best by listening, then I'd try to find a way to make most of his subjects "audio" -- lectures from Teaching Company (or others...? maybe there are some audio downloads out there. Why not use the earth science DVD that you linked?). History should be easy enough to find in audio form (historical fiction on tape/cd, audio downloads). MacBeth has high school science and lit options on her Audio page. My kids love the Latin for Children DVDs (very easy, basic Latin course, but fun.) I know that there are video math programs out there too. Whatever subjects can't be covered in an audio format (or can't be covered without major expense) he'll have to read. That would be the compromise. And hopefully all of this would be stuff that he could do on his own without much input from you. My two cents.
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Janette (4 boys - 22, 21, 15, 14)
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Mary K
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| Posted: June 07 2008 at 5:53am | IP Logged
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Our library system has something called Great Courses. It's high school level courses on DVDS and CDs. Maybe your library has it, or can help you find it.
There is also a curriculum called Movies as Literature, my friend is using it with her high schooler and they really like it.
God bless,
Mary-NY
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BrendaPeter
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| Posted: June 07 2008 at 7:02pm | IP Logged
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Hi Tina,
My oldest is a very auditory boy (age 14) as well so you're not the only one who's going crazy  . It's great to read your post as it reminds me very much of my situation. My son can read well but he prefers to be read to. He's very bright - knows more history than both my husband & I, so he would say that certain things are "dumb" like your son! Pencil on paper doesn't always work so well for him.
After lots of prayer, we've decided not to enroll him in any programs this year (& maybe not even down the road). Throwing grammar at him doesn't work either in my opinion. I have him doing math & Latin (online with Memoria Press). He is very good at both & enjoys them. I really like the philosophy behind "Latin-Centered Curriculum" so we tend to school that way, focusing on the "big rocks". This works well for me & especially for my son. Since he's the oldest, he kind of set the tone for the whole family.
I mostly jumped in to recommend the History cds from Anne Carroll. We all enjoy them. We also like the free Bible Christian Society apologetic cds.
Hope that helps a little!
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Blessings,
Brenda (mom to 6)
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Erin
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| Posted: June 09 2008 at 7:09am | IP Logged
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Tina
I know a friend was recently discussing "books for the blind" she has an 11yr old who is highly auditory and as of yet isn't reading. Anyhow I'm sure I remember her saying there was whole history books etc. I'll research and get back to you.
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Erin
Faith Filled Days
Seven Little Australians
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: Help! I'm so frustrated!
