The Monthly Chat


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Printable bits of wisdom, ideas, and reflections for your friends and
homeschool group, from the members of HomeschoolClassifieds.com
Opinions expressed are those of the individual authors.
©1997-2009 HomeschoolClassifieds.com, Knoxville, TN

 
Special needs
Dyslexic Child? May just be Scotopic Sensitivity!

Do you have a child who is displaying dyslexic symptoms? Do words appear to move around the page? Does he have trouble learning how to read? Does she complain of eye fatigue?

What many assume to be dyslexia may actually be something called Scotopic Sensitivity. I know -- my daughter has it. From grades one through four I thought she was dyslexic, but after careful investigation, I found out that she is not. Rather, she has Scotopic Sensitivity.

Scotopic Sensitivity is genetic. Essentially, with this condition your brain is sensitive to certain frequencies of light. This makes black letters on a white piece of paper very difficult for your brain to interpret. Letters can appear flipped or inverted, or can be perceived as moving around the page. Eye fatigue is common, and noticable sensitivity to the brightness of the sun is also common. (The bright sun actually hurts my eyes.)

The solution is to get tested to determine if you indeed to have Scotopic Sensitivity. If you do, then the specialist can determine which frequencies of light you are sensitive to, which will enable you to get non-prescription glasses with lenses that filter out those frequencies from the Irlen Institute. Wearing the glasses while reading should then eliminate your dyslexic-like problems. It did for my daughter.

The book ''The Light Barrier'' by Rhonda Stone is a good resource. Also Google the Irlen Institute for more information. The website brightsolutionsfordyslexia.com is also a great website.

My daughter now has her glasses, and has turned into an avid reader. She still has the sensitivity; the glasses don't cure scotopic sensitivity. They just eliminate the confusion for the brain so she can get on with the life-long pursuit of reading.

If your child can't seem to learn to read well, I would suggest looking into Scotopic Sensitivity. You may just be glad that you did.
teriholder
 
Hist/Geog/SS: General
Time Line Success

I (a homeschooled teen) have so enjoyed making my own timelines throughout my homeschooling years. As a visual learner, odd, disjointed facts and tidbits of information seem to flow seamlessly together when I can see everything organized in one place.

When I was in elementary school, we made small timelines by wrapping a long piece of receipt paper around a toilet paper roll. At this time, we focused on small sections of history that interested us, such as the Native Americans, Pioneers, and Egyptians. I used this type of timeline to record my life for grammar (after writing an outline), to follow whichever book I was reading for literature, and, of course, for history. It could also be used for keeping track of complicated Bible stories.

Once in middle school, we made a huge timeline on the back of a sewing board, as recommended in the Mystery of History. Seeing an entire section of history at one time opened my eyes to the broad scope of history, which was the goal of my middle school history education.

Now, in high school, I keep a binder timeline. Taking detailed notes about the increasingly complicated interactions between countries in my binder and seeing them against each other on a page has enabled me to grasp the larger issues that extend past country borders and affect the whole world. This last step in my history education has made me conscious of the importance of each person's, nation's, and culture's place in the large scale of history.

I want to encourage any homeschool families looking for a novel, flexible way to learn and record history to try a timeline, regardless of which curriculum they are using. As I look back and reflect on my education in history, I realize that different timeline techniques have had an amazingly beneficial impact on the various stages of my schooling. And that is definitely something that I will enter on my ongoing timeline of my life!
proverbs31:18gal
 
Homeschool helps
Relax and Enjoy It!

I recently attended a very large homeschool convention. I had not attended one in almost 10 years. There were vendors everywhere, books, curricula, and lots of ''stuff'' to buy. Parents went from workshop to workshop, then to the vendor hall to buy what they had just been told was the absolute ''must have'' for their homeschool.

While a lot of the materials available are indeed very good and I am thankful that there is a large variety to choose from (especially in the upper grades now), I'd just like to tell parents to relax! You have already taken the biggest step - deciding to homeschool. Pray about your curricula choices before buying! Don't rush out and spend hundreds (even thousands) of dollars in the excitement of a convention. You may have to pay shipping later, but really investigate your choices before deciding. Don't worry what Suzy down the street is using. Choose what is best for your family, for your children, and for you as the educator.

For your first year, you may want to consider something that has the lesson plans included. It is going to be an adjustment to begin homeschooling, so make it easy on yourself and enjoy the experience. If you are homeschooling multiple children, try to consolidate as many subjects as possible. You can teach all of your children the same basic material at varying levels of difficulty, and use grade level appropriate math and language arts materials for each child.

Most of all, enjoy your children and be grateful for the opportunity to home educate your blessings. The time does go by so quickly and they will be grown and leaving the nest before you know it. Cherish each and every moment and don't worry so much about how you're doing. You are their parent, you love them more than anyone else, and you're doing just fine!
blessingsx3

Other
Homeschooling Helps

I didn't know that my decision to homeschool my son this year would be a beneficial one, but it has proven to be. My son was being called names by children and school officials, so I pulled him out of school and decided to homeschool him. I didn't know what I was getting into, but I'm glad I made this decision. My son just started having absence seizures a few months ago. Then, a few weeks ago, he had two grand mal seizures.

I'm epileptic, so I understand what he's going through. If he would have been in public school, he would have missed over 10 days and would have failed because of days missed, even though he was making good grades. I don't care about how many days he ''misses'' because he can make up any work missed. I'm not as strict as the public schools. My son is doing a lot better with his schoolwork since being homeschooled.
belle6912
 
Unit studies
Why We Love Unit Studies

Unit studies are not only fascinating fun, but they are a bridge to learning, engaging children who may not be engaged otherwise. You do not need to purchase a pre-packaged unit study unless you prefer to, or find one at a really great deal(maybe even here).

Unit studies, in my understanding, are basically taking a topic and expanding it in directions that will cover all of the basic subjects -- science, language arts, history, and even math. I know most unit studies I have seen recommend adding math to them. I think you can do this but you can also incorporate math in a very fun, interactive, and engaging way. For example, we have found second-hand, at very reasonable prices, books on the science, history, and math of Ancient Egypt.

This could easily be done with many topics. Take the pioneers for example and recreate Jim Bridger's trading post at Fort Bridger for math skills. Language arts are easily incorporated by making grammar, spelling, reading, and writing applicable to the theme of the study. The most wonderful thing about unit studies is that you can engage a child disinterested in certain subjects by approaching them through topics that are of interest.

To contrast this point, my husband has never developed a love for history, but he has always had a fascination with mechanics, science, and math. If someone had approached history through the unit study approach linking relevant scientific and mathematic information to historical information, I think the outcome would have been very different. On the other hand, our son whose only interest was history became very engaged in math and science through historically-linked unit studies. This is one of the glorious benefits of home education.
kleinshine

Handwriting
Be Demanding

It is important to demand good handwriting in your students' work. Whether we think it is fair or not, our students will be judged by the neatness of their handwriting. When I first started homeschooling, I didn't know how to correct handwriting. I would be disappointed with my students' handwriting, but didn't know I could do anything about it. I've learned in recent years that I need to make them erase it, and then model how it is to be written, then have them rewrite it.

I have purchased many used homeschool books over the years that have other homeschooler's written work on a few of the pages, so I know that it isn't just me. I used to grade on content only; if the answer was correct I left it alone. I have learned that it is also my job to correct handwriting on all written work. My job is far from over and I'm still learning, but I do believe this is an important part of my job as a homeschool teacher.
livinglife4him
 
Other
Good, Better, Best

''Good, better, best,
never let it rest,
till your good is better
and your better best.''

This has become a personal proverb for me as I determine what it is the Lord would have me do with my time, especially when it comes to homeschooling. It would be ''good'' to attempt to cover every subject area, checking off of my list each topic as it is covered.

Following my children's lead in pursuing their interests is even ''better''. But what is best? What is ''best'' in determining our course of study? I have come to the conclusion that each of us will have gaps in our education. It is not possible to cover every topic in a scope and sequence and really own the information. If I can develop in my children a love of learning and an awe for the Creator of it all, then I have chosen what is best.

Mary was commended for her choice -- to sit at her Savior's feet in lieu of distracting preparations. Maridel Willer, a homeschool speaker on organization and creative playtimes, commented that our children can get the academics anytime, but if we fail to instill in their hearts character, we set them up for disaster in all areas of their lives.

We will never regret the time we spent at the Savior's feet, for it has value for all eternity. ''Therefore, be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.'' Ephesians 5:15-16
andrealj

Lang arts: other
Public Contest...What Will You Do?

Recently, it was brought to my attention that Subway and Scholastic have teamed up in a writing contest for ''...legal US residents, over the age of 18 with children in either elementary, private or parochial schools that serve grades Pre K-6''.

''Great!'' I thought. Until I read the REST of the paragraph. It concluded with ''No home schools will be accepted.'' WHAT?!? Although home schooling is legitimate, legal and flourishing, we have not just been over looked, we have been specifically excluded! No disclaimer to the effect that if a home schooler wins they must choose a venue to donate the $5000 worth of athletic equipment too. Just a ''No Homeschoolers Allowed'' statement.

Hmmm, I think I feel a new school assignment coming on...but what will you do?
cdforrester
 
Marriage & parenting
Involved Parenting

I have seen parents past and present succeed and fail in their efforts, irrespective of how they educate or even discipline their children. Home education is a wonderful approach but not the end all solution to child rearing.

The one common denominator I have seen among parents who succeed in raising confident, well-loved, bonded, strong, selfless, responsible children is that they are involved and engaged in the process of nurturing their children. They are available, and celebrate instead of tolerate their children. They not only do for, but they do with their children. They are not too busy and they minimize the ''totally missed my child's needs'' moments. They have strong, open, ongoing communication. The child feels safe and secure knowing this parent is not only their provider and protector but their companion. I don't think this can be said too often.

Whatever you are doing, stop and embrace your children. Read to them or play a game with them. Recognize them continually. Touch their hearts in a way no one else can by responding to them when they need you. Build something between you so solid while you can that what you have is like the house built wisely on the rock. Then, nothing will be able to tear it down.

The children are our heritage, and no greater investment can be made than these simplicities. In that sense, I am going to read a goodnight story with so many children piled up on my lap that I'll barely be able to see to read but it will be precious. Good-night all!
kleinshine

Organization/time management
Dishwasher Dilemma

No one could be happier than our oldest when his younger siblings became old enough to take on some of the chores around the house.

Unloading the dishwasher is the spotlight chore right now -- the one we are really focused on learning. But Mom gets a little busy and forgetful about whose turn it is to unload it. So I made a really simple chart, using a small amount of poster board and wrote their names on it. I titled it ''Whose turn is it?''. Then, I used a Post-It sticky that's shaped like an arrow to use as the marker. I place it by the child's name whose turn it is. This has helped immensely in eliminating some of the arguments about whose turn it is. It forces problem-solving as well, as my daughter used to place the marker on a brother's name when no one was looking -- Naturally, there were consequences. Simple, I know, but I thought I would share.

Happy choring!
tots2teen
 
Other
A Litle Bit of Homeschool Humor

One day we were doing ''Teaching Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons''. If you've done this curriculum, you know that especially at the beginning there are a lot of consonant vowel combinations to be sounded out. It was a beautiful spring day and I could not seem to keep my son's attention on his school work instead of out the window. He was in the mood to run and play, but since Mama was in the mood to learn reading, he opted for being silly instead.

No matter what I said, he laughed hysterically. I kept gently trying to direct him back to the task at hand. Finally, I said, ''That's enough. Now you have to be serious and get this done and then we will go outside and play. Can you promise Mama that you will be serious now?'' He solemnly swore that he would be.

We got back into the book and he seriously sounded out the letters ''m'' then ''a'' saying, ''Um - ah'' and then a sheepish irresistable grin crossed his face as he blurted out, ''went the little green frog one day.''

I'm assuming most everyone knows the song, ''Um -ah went the little green frog one day...''

We laughed and then played joyously together.

''She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.'' Proverbs 31:25
kleinshine

Homeschool helps
Growing With Challenges

We planted our vegetable garden and within one hour two of the little sets were bitten off at the top. We replanted and sprinkled crystalized fox urine throughout the garden to deter what we believed to be rabbits. (Last year we battled rabbits in our big city garden.)

The next day, our whole garden was gone! Apparently, we now have opossums living nearby. We were discouraged. The children raised the plants from seed, planned the garden, and planted it with care, all to be wiped out in a day.

What now? Now, we will research, plan a strategy, and replant. We will look at it as an easy opportunity to grow through adversity. We will be thankful to learn patience and determination through something so benign as the loss of a few garden plants. We will be glad that the enemy we face in this circumstance is only a nuisance. We will be thankful that we are able to replant and that we have each other for support. We will acknowledge that God is good and the giver of good gifts, and along with our garden, we will grow.
evy
 
Bible & Spiritual growth
Keeping a Thankfulness Journal or Blessing Book

When my oldest, who is now 13, was a baby, I started the habit of keeping a ''thankfulness journal''. Each morning when I get up, the first thing I do is write down at least 5 things for which I am thankful (usually from the day before). Some days, it is very specific, such as ''seeing my baby take her first steps'' or ''my husband's laughter'', and other days it is more general, like ''sunshine after a rainy day'' or when it the day had been hard, it was something like ''that the day only had 24 hours and that it's over''.

It really changed my whole perspective to find things to be thankful for. This has gotten me through many stressful times, such as two major cross-country moves (''thankful I got all the kitchen boxes unpacked''). It also serves as a joyful record of those tiny little mothering and homeschooling moments that you might forget (''my son understands multiplication'').

It is less intimidating than trying to find time to write alot in a regular journal. The notes don't even have to be full sentences! You can use a blank journal with a beautiful cover or just a blank spiral notebook.

I have started my two oldest daughters doing this. It's a wonderful habit and helps us to obey the command to ''in everything give thanks...'' (1 Thess 5:18), and to count our blessings, especially when things are difficult. It helps us to remember to offer the ''sacrifice of thanksgiving''.
smith8

Special needs
Autism

I am sure if you are reading this post that most likely you have heard of eliminating gluten (wheat protein) and casein (milk protein) from an autistic child's diet for dramatic improvement. This is called a GFCF (gluten free casein free) diet.

This is exactly the case we had with our son. At age three, he was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome. We began researching what we coud do for him immediately. We attempted a gluten free casein free diet but with very little knowledge of foods and label reading and processing, we saw no improvement. We coincidentally had to place him on a formula that was GFCF and we saw a new child within three weeks. He went from nearly non-verbal to verbosely verbal, no eye contact to direct eye contact, multiple self stimulatory behaviors to calmly embracing his circumstances, hiding from people to immersing himself in company and the list goes on.

That doesn't mean it has been all challenge free since that point but it has been a beautiful uphill journey that we can face together. We surely hope this single piece of a very complex journey may be helpful to some.
kleinshine
 
Organization/time management
Laundry

I am sure that countless people have had the same laundry challenges we have. I used to get the ''laundry doldrums'', as life seem consumed by the volume of laundry that needed to be done. In a large family, three loads plus per day is about our average. This is with husband's regular clothes, at work clothes, at home work clothes, children's regular clothes and barn clothes, baby clothes, bedding, etc. I was doing all of the laundry and was overwhelmed by it.

I finally implemented the very simple ''everyone does their own'' laundry approach and it has been wonderful. Everyone starting at age five does their laundry completely independently and up until age five does it one on one with Mama. If they spend several years doing it one on one, learning and bonding, it's very reasonable that a five year old will willingly and cheerfully do their own laundry adequately. Even the older children transitioned beautifully. Dear husband made the most difficult transiton but he willingly did it as an example and as an act of service, love and responsibility.

Now we look at laundry like showering, brushing your teeth, clipping your nails, etc. It is a matter of personal hygiene that each individual needs to take personal responsibility for. That said, please do not let this advice be a source of an argument but only as it is meant -- the source of a potentially encouraging solution if this will work in your family, a decision that will increase harmony, not contention.
kleinshine

Other
Spring Fever

I don't know about you, but it seems that once Spring hits, getting school finished every day is practically impossible!

Where we live, Spring weather is amazing, and come June 1 the heat and humidity will set in...so we'll not be tempted to be outdoors quite as much. With that in mind, this year we planned ahead. We're taking a lot of breaks while the weather is nice...enjoying the days we can.

On the (several) rainy days we've had, we have doubled up our lessons to make up for the play time. It has added so much to our day. We are happier, and not feeling ''cheated'' by being indoors when the weather is so nice. I have
to keep reminding myself we homeschool so we can have flexibility, so I need to take advantage of the flexibility when I can. Happy Spring!
mamma_mia
 
Grade set
HotChalk is a Gradebook Blessing

When I first started my home schooling journey one of the first things I realized was: how am I supposed to keep records of everything I teach? I don’t have a grade-book, a computer program, nor the patience to keep a tangible paper record of graded assignments.

I poked around the Internet for a while and discovered a free website called Hot Chalk (www.hotchalk.com). It is used by teachers, educators and homeschoolers throughout the world. Most importantly, to me and my tight budget, it is FREE!

Hot Chalk lets you create “classes” and have your child ''join'' your class. Then you can add assignments, due dates, and send messages to your student. A great way to keep track of up and coming projects, worksheets, assignments and set completion dates without a lot of effort!

When it comes time to enter the score of an assignment, you simply enter the score possible and the score your child earned. Hot Chalk does the rest for you - calculating the percentage of the assignment, of ALL of your child’s assignments, and assigning a letter grade for you.

Hot Chalk has been a blessing for me and saves planning time and time recording scores. Then you can spend more time teaching your child than doing the boring stuff!
mystudent1

Marriage & parenting
Devotions

For over ten years I wanted my husband to lead us in family devotions but he said he did not have time. For all those years I made him comply with a time schedule that worked for me.

A year ago, I submitted to work around whatever schedule -- sleeping, eating, working -- worked for him. A few months later, he suggested we start family devotions! Not only have we been doing them, he has been leading them. We've done ''Created for Work'' by Bob Schultz, ''Preparing Sons to Provide for a Single-Income Family'' by Steven Maxwell, ''Boyhood and Beyond'' also by Bob Schultz, and are now in ''The Narrow Way'' from the Pearables. While they are all wonderful, The Narrow Way is very good because it engages everyone and is very easy for a father to lead.
kleinshine