Larissa and I are doing the virtual school. For me it is OK. Basically it is like teaching school at home. Similar books, schedule and testing. However, I am already feeling unhappy with it. Every week she is doing online testing. Larissa's anxiety makes testing hard. If she sees a few questions she is fine but when she sees a lot she just starts guessing.
Larissa wants to do more science and art. I know that there are ways to incorporate these things better but with the requirement of the schools it is not possible to make changes.
My biggest concerns are her math and writing. Not the idea process but the mechanics of writing. She writes very hard and it tires her out. She does not like to write. I would like to do a typing class for her. Math is a huge struggle. She doesn't even know her basic addition facts. We worked on them over the summer but she has such a mental block for math that she just shuts down.
I would love to find a math program that would work better for her. Any suggestions? For Jason I used Saxon math years ago. I wouldn't' even know where to begin today.
I just think that I need to change. I want it to be exciting to learn, not boring like this program seems to be. Any suggestions for curriculum out there. I know that I have some homeschoolers who read this blog.
We use Saxon math, and love it, but I also know many homeschoolers who love Teaching Textbooks. It is not as rigorous, it is a computer program that is very enjoyable for the kids, and it doesn't take as long to do as Saxon. It's expensive, though. We've used Math U See before and it is very hands on, and the kids can "see" how the math works with manipulatives. As for typing, there are tons of typing programs online that you can just use for free. I taught my kids to type this way by 3rd or 4th grade, so by 5th grade, they could type well enough to write reports and such that way. With science, we LOVE the Jeannie Fulbright books - Swimming Creatures, Flying Creatures, Exploring Creation with Zoology, etc. They are awesome and give your child such a great view of the wonderful way God has created the world. Good for you, in homeschooling Larissa. You'll find the right stuff!
ReplyDeleteI'm not a homeschooler, but I taught for a long time in a public school. My son is currently using Singapore math at his school, and from what I've seen it makes a lot of sense. I don't know if it would be worth the switch, but it is also very hands on. In terms of writing, is she holding the pencil weird? Does she only write hard in writing, or in other areas too? If so, have you tried pencil grips? Or putting a wiffle ping pong ball on the pencil to help her grip? Good luck.
ReplyDeleteHer grip seems fine. She just pushes down really hard, you can see the imprint for several pages down. Of course add her desire to be perfect and she erases a lot. It is hard to erase since she pressed so hard that the paper ends up with holes.
DeleteFor a struggling math student, I would recommend Math-U-See. It is inexpensive but high quality. Start with their Alpha book. It will help Larissa get her bearings and feel more confident with the very basics. Every day there's a short instructional video to watch. Then there's hands-on activities to go with the worksheet. It's very simple and uncomplicated. Nothing that is visually distracting or overwhelming. The teacher uses some fun stories to help communicate things like place value. I use Saxon for Kate, but I think Larissa would find it boring. Math-U-See is a great program for kids who have a hard time with math. I hope that helps!
ReplyDeleteI liked Saxin for Jason but I haven't gone that route because Larissa has some processing/short term issues that are challenging. I like the Math U See.
DeleteTo learn math facts we used what is called Holy Cards. They are simple math facts with a hole to write the answer. Our game was we did 5 minutes of it, and for every right answer they earned a penny, for every wrong answer they gave me a penny. Then they wrote the facts they missed. Different kids wrote different, some used different color markers to slow them down, some stood on one leg, or other silly things.
ReplyDeleteWe've enjoyed Aleks online math (www.aleks.com). My kids were struggling learning with the bookwork we used to do but have done very well online with this program. It skips things they already know, but brings back anything they forget throughout the year. It's expensive, but it has worked really well for us. I think it has a 1-week free trial version. You could put her on it and see how she does. It does an initial assessment test and shows clearly what areas are lacking/soaring and then she can fill in the rest. It divides it up into pie slices and she can choose which math subject she wants to work on each day. It also has "quick tables" that will help with memorization of addition/subtraction/division/multiplication facts. Quick tables is set up in game fashion, but does a good job with helping kids memorize. That's what's worked for us!
ReplyDelete(Sorry that you probably have no idea who I am! I'm a long-time stalker of your blog, but I rarely comment because you don't know me so it's totally weird that I stalk you, right? lol! I love reading your adventures and seeing your family grow! You are amazing!)
Hahaha, I have many stalkers and that is fine. I stalk many blogs myself! I will have to check out the math program.
DeleteI am not a homeschooler and this is not a curriculum. But have you heard of Big Brainz? They have a game called Timez Attack that helped my boys. Last I looked they had expanded addition and subtraction. When we heard of them, its been a few years now, they had a free version and a for sale version. The one for sale had enhanced graphics. We played the free game for about 6 months and then bought a game once they'd memorized the board.
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