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jovamama
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| Posted: March 30 2012 at 11:53am | IP Logged
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Hello
I hope you don't mind if I give a little of history first (and maybe a little venting and whining) and then get to my questions.
This past year has been the most difficult. Starting in January, we moved from Cincy to Cleveland to take care of my mom who was dying of Cancer. The hardest and most amazing thing we have ever done as a family. We did the basics for school during this time then when everything was over and we were back home I didn't have it in me to do more. We just stop at one point and started back in the fall.
Things were going great the first six week of school, then I got sick and had to have my ovaries removed which cause other problems with my bowels and kidney's. The fact that I over 40 and not in the best shape my recovery too a whole lot longer then I thought.
Then a possible move to Texas which didn't happen, my husband lossing his job and getting a new one (in Phoenix) with in days of each other (day before Christmas), moving to Phoenix within 4 weeks and struggle to sell out house back in OH. Phew - I am a whinner.
Through all of this we have been at peace with this is the Will of God and we are doing the right thing.
I am struggling now with I really needing to focus on the educational needs of my childern, especially my dauther who has visual/audtitory processing disorder as well as sensory intergration. Due to the fact that I also have the same disorder (which wasn't this diagnose when I was her age) I have been afraid of teaching her reading. I make all mistakes one make when fear is in the charge. Since joining Real Learning and changing our method to CM from Classical I have learned so many things and am now more confident but not sure which would be better for her.
The problem is she doesn't see a letter as having a sound she see them as seperate so reading is very hard for her and frustrating for me. We have done many things but not consistently.
She has improved greatly with her reading due to vision theraphy. I now have to find a therapist here for her speech theraphy (the auditory part).
Finally to the questions, would you reccommed AS & AR for her or would something else be better?
She is probably at a 1st grade reading level and is in 4th grade. I feel I have really missed the boat and hoping to find something that will allow us to us to build our confidence that will allow us to work toward being an independent reader and writer.
My son also struggles with reading and spelling but that is due to being a boy with sensory intergration whow would rather be a the skateboard park all day.
I am so sorry for my whinning/venting. It has been a struggle and I am doubting my homeschool abiltiy which I know I shouldn't but that is the sinner in me and the devil pecking his way in.
Any advice who be greatly appreicated.
I am so thankful for all of you and for this forum as well as most of your blogs. You each have played a part in my changing our homeschool to be more CM.
God Bless you this Lenten season
Beth
Mama of two ds 11, dd 9
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Becky Parker
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| Posted: March 30 2012 at 12:43pm | IP Logged
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Bless you Beth! That is quite a road you have traveled. Your faith is an inspiration. Just as God has lead you through this difficult time I am sure he will guide you in what will work for your dd.
AAS really helped my ds when he was struggling with learning to read. I started him in the 3rd grade and wished I had found it earlier. It is quite mom intensive but it was so worth it. I also notice now that I don't need to use such a mom-intensive program. He is in 5th grade. We made it through level 3 of AAS. The beginning went very quickly because it is quite basic, but that was what he needed for confidence. The letter tiles were excellent for helping him to learn to spell AND read. He really struggled with writing at that too and the tiles eliminated the need for writing so he could just focus on the spelling.
I haven't tried AAR but AAS did wonders for his reading as well.
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Becky
Wife to Wes, Mom to 6 wonderful kids on Earth and 4 in Heaven!
Academy Of The Good Shepherd
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jovamama
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| Posted: March 30 2012 at 2:17pm | IP Logged
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Thank you
Should I get AAR or just try AAS first and see how she does?
Thank again,
God Bless
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mamaslearning
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| Posted: March 30 2012 at 3:55pm | IP Logged
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A friend's daughter seemed to do well with Touch Phonics (I think that was the name).
Her daughter is also doing vision therapy and before therapy was reading at a K level and is now at a fourth grade level (he's 6th grade right now).
I'm so sorry for all the struggles you've endured this past year. I'll say a Hail Mary for you now! 
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Lara
DD 11, DS 8, DS 6, DS 4
St. Francis de Sales Homeschool
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anitamarie
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| Posted: April 12 2012 at 9:49pm | IP Logged
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I use AAS with my kids and I love it. It is very complete. I am using the Pre-level 1 of AAR for my preschooler this year and she loves it. One of the things that Marie Rippel says is that reading and spelling are two different skills. They complement each other, but aren't the same skills. If you are concerned most about reading, then AAR is probably the way to go. I will be using Level 1 with my dd for kindergarten next year. If I were in your shoes, I would start as early as possible in the series. You can fly through the lessons in the beginning, and then slow down when it gets harder for her. That way, you can be sure not to have gaps. Good luck.
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Angi
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| Posted: April 13 2012 at 5:48pm | IP Logged
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We have started using AAS here too, all 4 of mine are using it. We absolutely love it! For someone with sensory issues, I would have them do a heavy work activity before setting down to work on school, especially reading or spelling.
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Jenn
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| Posted: April 19 2012 at 1:42pm | IP Logged
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Hi!
It sounds like you have been through so very, very much this last year. We had a time like that a while ago. You have my prayers. It is very tough. May things ease up for you now.
I , too, have a child with visual/auditory processing difficulties and sensory processing issues, as well as ADD. He is almost 11. We have been using AAS for a year now. We got through level 1 and 2 this year. He liked this program much better than other ones. We got the magnets,a nd i use it on a large (3x5foot) magnetic white board. So all the writing is done with a dry erase marker. I think this is a great program for kinesthetic learners, and it worked really well for my son.
We found vision therapy to be a huge help for my son. His developmental Optometrist recommended getting a swing set, and having him swing for 15-20 min before school work, or do the monkey bars for a while. It seems to help him settle down and focus. Just thought I would mention it, incase it might help your daughter or son ! It makes a difference for us.
God bless you!
jen
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kristinannie
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| Posted: April 19 2012 at 2:57pm | IP Logged
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I think AAS is a great remedial spelling program for older kids. I would start in the first level no matter what, even if you breeze through it. I think it will do exactly what you need it to do!
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John Paul 8.5
Meredith Rose 7
Dominic Michael 4.5
Katherine Elizabeth 8 months
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Becky Parker
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| Posted: April 19 2012 at 4:51pm | IP Logged
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Just wanted to add that when my ds got tired of using the tile magnets, we went to the computer to do spelling. I would let him type the letters instead of using the tiles. He could pick any color or font he wanted. It was a nice change. I will say I think the actual process of moving the tiles around is important in the beginning. But the computer is a nice option when you feel he really doesn't need the tiles anymore.
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Becky
Wife to Wes, Mom to 6 wonderful kids on Earth and 4 in Heaven!
Academy Of The Good Shepherd
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jovamama
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| Posted: April 24 2012 at 10:23am | IP Logged
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Thank you everyone who responded. I have order the AAS and we are starting it this week.
I am hoping this will help build confidence in them all of us.
We already do everything that was suggested which makes me glad that I am or doing it right. Ava finished her vision therapy before we left OH and I am always looking for activities that help John to do something physical before we do something that needs his focus.
God Bless you all,
Beth
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4Real Forums : Language Arts Come Alive
Topic: All About Spelling & Reading
