age 7, grade 2, easily overwhelmed

We love Easy Grammar, they are very short lessons and not too much.  For 2nd grade we did 1st Language Lessons orally and ds liked it a lot.  My ds9 does not like to see a lot of work, cries and dawdles if he thinks its too much.  I saw this as a discipline issue, and now if he complains I give him double.   I have also prayed and really cut back on things too.  I don’t think Singapore lessons are long at all, so maybe he doesn’t have a good enough memorization of the facts.  We set our Singapore book aside and spent time just on the times table and division, I also do flash cards everyday now.  Math Facts for Copywork by Queen Homeschool is great too.

When my son was 7, he pushed too hard and didn’t like writing more than one sentence. No biggie; Just give him one sentence and talk to him about the pressing down and have him practice just letters for a while and gently monitor that he ‘lightens up’ on the pressure. It’s a habit that can be broken. Come to think of it, my son broke that habit on his own when as a part of his punishment from Daddy, was to write a certain amount out. Well, my son realized after that experience how pressing down hard makes his hand hurt. So there’s another option!

Also, yeah, ditch the grammer book, IMO. You can start it up next year or try something a little more gentle and oral like Primary Language Lessons or some of the others advised here. Once a week is enough, too. But even if you decide to wait till next year, that’s ok too. As long as certain things are happening;

1-you correct him when he uses language incorrectly

2-his copywork is ‘high caliber’ and teaches good grammar within the sentence. I’m afraid movie quotes will neither elevate his mind nor his speaking abilities.

3-the books he reads are also elevated in their language; not twaddle. Creates lazy brain, esp. since you’re also dealing with breaking the habits created from gov’t school that promotes mediocre thinking abilities, book choices and concentration.

Personally, I would suggest asking The L-rd to give you clarity if you are also dealing with any disobedience issues, grumbling/complaining spirits within them and also maybe start having them memorize the verses from Scripture that relate to: respecting your authority, working as unto The L-rd, everything you do do with thanksgiving, honoring the L-rd with your actions, etc. I don’t have those numerous verses in front of me at the time, but I hope you get my point. It’s also a heart issue and it’s through Scripture and G-d’s Spirit that we are “transformed by the renewing of our mind” and our heart, which is “deceptively wicked” can be softened and be made teachable.

Blessings,

Rachel