Name: Thrive! NCHE Homeschool Conference
Start: 2025-05-22T00:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-05-24T23:59:59-05:00
Location: Winston-Salem, NC

Tagged: beginning reading, Dancing Bears, Dancing Bears reading program

This topic has 3 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 10 years, 4 months ago by suzukimom.

Viewing 4 posts - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)

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January 2, 2015 at 10:21 am
JenniferM
Participant
Has anyone used Dancing Bears reading program by Sound Foundations?
I began using book A with my 7year old son this week, 10 minutes per day as outlined in the instructions. I purchased this program because while he knows most phonograms and can blend well, he often guesses or looks at the pictures to “figure” out a word (often incorrectly). This week we have not been doing any school work, just 10 minutes of the reading lesson each day. I believe this program was designed to be in addtion to the regular classroom instruction (for students who needed additional intervention). I am wondering if I should include a second 10 minute session on actual school days. 10 minutes of the program during school time, then 10 minutes in the evenings?
I’m just feeling sort of defeated with my son’s progression in reading. He truly does not seem to care about reading at all. He enjoys working with his hands and playing outside. He enjoys read aloud times for history, science, literature… He narrates very well. His handwriting is phenomenal, almost to the point of perfection. He does well in math. It is just this reading thing that seems to be so slow! I always give the advice to not rush a child who is learning to read. But I am having a bit of anxiety following my own advice.
I do think this is a good program and easy to use. If you have used it and can offer any tips, please do. Thanks!!
January 2, 2015 at 4:26 pm
Karen
Participant

I’m not familiar with the Dancing Bears program – I just want you to be encouraged and not give up! Have you considered dyslexia? Your son sounds much like my dyslexic daughter – she’s bright, but learning to read was awful! We’re now at Level 3, Lesson 4 of the Barton program and she’s doing much better. She still says she doesn’t “like” to read – but she loves paging through books, loves listening to books and audio dramas, and can tell back the story. So, I’m thinking this “not liking” reading thing is another way of saying it’s hard work for her. 🙂
I can attest to the Barton Spelling and Reading program being a FABULOUS program for dyslexics.
If nothing else, you might research dyslexia starting at http://www.dys-add.com (I can’t get the link-thing to work.) Susan Barton has lots of tips on her website – it’s a good place to poke around.

January 3, 2015 at 11:13 am
JenniferM
Participant
Karen, thank you for your encouragement! And thank you for the link. I was wondering a bit about dyslexia but had not read anything about it. From the link you provided, I read about warning signs and other information. My son does not fit any of the points listed other than not liking to read. He does sound out words well, just doesn’t like to and is slow about it. He writes well and has no troubles with directionality. I think I just need to practice more patience! I was taught in college that most children learn to read between the ages of 5 and 7, with boys typically being at the older end of that spectrum. My daughter LOVES to read and was reading fluently before her 7th birthday. Although I don’t consciously compare them, I suppose I have that in the recesses of my mind.
Regarding the Barton program, I am not familiar with it, but I have seen Dancing Bears recommended in place of the Barton program for dyslexics. Apparently, it is less expensive.
Again, thank you for “listening” and encouraging. It is easier to “talk” about difficulties I encounter in homeschooling here than with people I know in real life. I don’t want others to look at my child differently or give “homeschooling” a bad rap. Plus, I find the advice here to be solid and supportive. 🙂

January 3, 2015 at 2:13 pm
suzukimom
Participant
I have used the Dancing Bears – the quick-start (AB comibined) version – with my dyslexic son who can read but not well.
I’m not sure how level A works.
It sounds to me like you just need to keep at it…