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I am operating at a loss:(
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I’ve posted numerous times about my adopted daughter who has learning disabilities. She is now 14 and, although she has made little bits of progress in certain areas, I am at a roadblock again. Thinking I finally had a good lot of curricula that would help her move forward, I am realizing once again that, because of her poor receptive language skills, she is not understanding the level of reading in history. I have SCM Middle Ages guide, and I thought that using A Castle With Many Rooms would be easier for her to understand than the Famous Men book. Well, that is not the case. It is over her head. We have tried so many different history programs, and we ended up with the same problem. I did start reading the Viking book to her when I knew the Castle book was not working. She seems to be able to ‘catch on’ a little in that story. Because of her dyslexia, I read most everything to her, as far as main subject books. I really don’t know where to go with history.
I am thinking that I should not put too much focus on history, given her need to focus on math, reading, and writing, which is what she will use most as an adult. She enjoys certain aspects of science, so I want to work a little harder in those areas as well. She enjoys stories from history, but I don’t believe she understands many of the connections in history. She has visual processing difficulties, so she cannot make much sense out of maps to even get a good grasp of geography.
My daughter dislikes ‘school’ very much, unless we are reading an exciting book or doing something hands-on that really interests her. If something frustrates her, she will give up and doesn’t want to try anymore. I know it is because of the frustrations she has had since the beginning, before I knew what we were dealing with, and my lack of patience, because I thought many times it was just her attitude. I’ve been doing better, but I cannot get her engaged. According to her testing, she is probably functioning more like a 10 year old in her maturity. I have been so discouraged, because I feel like I have failed her through the years, because I didn’t understand what was going on or what she needed until just a couple of years ago. Sometimes I think I should just focus on life skills, but I know she can still make some progress in certain areas. She is my last one, and I am losing my joy in homeschooling, because she just appears to be going through the motions, for the most part. Including this year, she technically has 5 years of school yet. Sometimes I don’t know how I am going to make it through those years:( Given the track that she is on, she obviously will not make it to any high school level classes. I think I need a simpler way to incorporate history and other areas of lesser importance in our situation. Her strengths/interests are art (drawing), piano (plays by ear; cannot read notes), animals, and childcare (she loves babies). I guess what is difficult for me is trying to cover all the required components for school, but having time to focus more on areas of importance and strength/interest. Any suggestions are appreciated.
For her history, I would skip the spine book and just read the other scheduled books, or any others from other book lists. Read the ones you think she will enjoy the most. I wouldn’t worry about her being able to connect the events in history or being able to know the chronological order for historical events. Simply allow her to enjoy the stories. She will still have more history knowledge than many in our country.
Thanks Karen. I had thought about just reading the other books to her. I think I have most, if not all of the Louise Vernon books, so that will help with Reformation. If I do this, there is not really any way to utilize the guide. Right?
Could us just read all the 1-6 grade books to her. It may seem wierd to read picture books etc to a teen, but honestly my older kids always enjoy my 8year olds books and seem to pick up on tidbits. You could follow the reading schedule in the guide for both grades (1-3 and 4-6) to make it flow a bit. What if you read some higher level books yourself and then just narrated to her, just those things you found interesting. Does she learn from videos? Drive through History is fun and I am sure there are others.
She actually does not mind easy books, I think because there are fewer words in them. Books with a lot of words intimidate her, because of her visual problems. She does thrive on video, but I want to limit that, or she will never want to read. She will listen to audio books, so I should look for some of those. Doing all the reading makes me weary sometimes. Thanks for the suggestions. I just didn’t know how I would utilize the guide if I just read these extra books to her.
Sorry to hear of your struggles. Hopefully some of these suggestions will help. I admire you for caring so much for your daughter to help her increase her skills while meeting all her educational requirements, and wanting her to enjoy this journey. I have been encouraged from your previous posts, of putting character training and Bible ahead of academics. Would she enjoy reading a magazine? We like Country, Looking Back, and Birds and Blooms. There may be something more historical available too. Audio books are good, too. Here is a link for the books AO uses that are free downloads on Librivox:
http://wiki.librivox.org/index.php?title=Recordings_of_Books_on_the_Ambleside_List_2
Your library should have many audio books, and also Audible subscription service through Amazon.
Since she likes art, you might teach history from that angle:
Draw Write Now (manuscript, younger readers)
Draw and Write Through History (cursive, older readers)
Visual Manna’ s Teaching History Through Art, grades k – 12 (I have not used this, but it looks good.)
http://www.rainbowresource.com/proddtl.php?id=004198
Also, go on field trips for school to history museums and festivals, events and performances. These really make history come to life fir the kids. They sometimes have certain days and times for school groups too. Check with area history societies and tourist industry offices.
Certainly you can skip a spine and read just the living books for history. You could have her draw pictures for your timeline or book of centuries.
Since she likes animals, Beautiful Feet has a course based on horses and books by Marguerite Henry. Sorry, we have not used this either, but it may hold your daughter’s interest. You might find audio versions at the library or Audible. They also offer a History of Science course.
You could try a unit study approach or put together your own unit study based on art, piano, or animals, covering all subject areas. This is not Charlotte Mason, but you could still use her methods with narrations, living books, map work, etc. The change may be a much needed breath of fresh air.
http://cathyduffyreviews.com/homeschool-reviews-core-curricula/unit-studies-all-in-one-programs
I think utilizing the guide for your situation would be both the order of the books to read and how much to read out of each one because it will help you feel you are moving chronologically through history, even if she doesn’t get it as such. Purely a reassurance for those mama doubts. 😉
I love the biographies that Dianne Stanley has written. Wonderful, lush artwork with interesting, appropriate story. I’ve learned a lot from them. I think that they would be perfect for her. Lots of them are for the Middle Ages – Michelangelo, Leonardo, Bard of Avon: Shakespeare, Good Queen Bess…
Wings2fly and Sheraz,
Thanks for all the suggestions. I will definitely look into these. I have been wondering what I would have to show in her portfolio for history. I didn’t think about the Draw and Write Through History. She does like to write, although her spelling is poor. That is another area that keeps me stepping. She writes and writes for her own enjoyment in journals or drawing books that she asks for every time we go to Walmart:) I can’t keep up with correcting her misspelled words, so I worry that she won’t learn the correct spelling, because she sees them spelled wrong, without correction.
Sheraz,
Thanks for the kind words about my posts. Even though my daughter has academic struggles, she definitely is learning from our Bible/character lessons. That Is the most important part, in my books. But, I want to help her in these other areas, so I appreciate all the help.
I ordered Oral Language Activities for Special Children by Darlene Mannix to help her with language processing/expression. Her situation is so complex. It’s not just one or two areas. I could make a list; some mild and some moderate. That’s what makes schooling her so challenging and time consuming. Keep the ideas coming!
Wings2fly,
I’m sorry. What I said to Sheraz should have been addressed to you. I read both of the posts at the same time. I should have looked again before I wrote that. Thank you. I’m glad my posts have been an encouragement. That is an encouragement to me, because I think sometimes there are many ladies on here that can offer so much more than I can, so I have hesitated posting on many threads. I’m often the one needing help:) Your suggestions here are very helpful.
I would use the guide the way Sheraz suggested just to keep everything moving chronologically, and in short readings.
For her writing, does she know how to type? What about having her type what she wants to write, so that Spellcheck/autocorrect can correct most of her spelling errors? Of course Spellcheck/autocorrect won’t correct words spelled correctly but are the wrong word, but it should help you in keeping up with her misspelled words.
I have an adult son who was a terrible speller. He told me recently that he spells much better now because Spellcheck/autocorrect helped him to see the words spelled correctly. So, when he would start typing a word he was unsure of how to spell, Spellcheck/autocorrect would fill it in for him. Seeing the words spelled correctly helped him to learn the correct spellings because he was seeing the correct spellings, rather than his misspellings.
She uses my phone to text now and then, and she has stated that the spellcheck helps her. She doesn’t know how to properly type, but that is a good idea for helping with spelling, but she is always drawing (her favorite type of art) and doodling, so she very often has a pencil and pad in hand. I have some thinking and praying to do about how we will handle this.
I have made a booklist from the guide and All through the Ages to help collect library books that will follow history chronologically. I also want to use the guide for the Bible part of the study. I have GOAL, but I think my daughter would benefit from the study using what is in the guide. Thanks for the suggestions.
Psreitmom, I understand. I didn’t know (or care) much about history until I started teaching it. This year, I am trying to incorporate more Bible and character lessons into our days. Your posts have inspired me towards that. Recently I learned that the original 3 R’ s of the one room schoolhouse were reading, writing, and religion.
Draw and Write Through History is cursive copywork and drawings, so no worries about spelling there. I thought of the computer, too, for spellcheck. My dd uses an electronic dictionary to help her with spelling in her own writings. She is an “author”, too.
Drive Thru History episodes, mentioned already, are available free streaming at iTBN website or roku channel. Or you can buy the dvds.
There are also many historical coloring books through Dover she could color in while you read aloud or play an audio book. They are very detailed and include a paragraph of nonfiction on each page related to the drawing. Medieval Fashions and Renaissance Fashions are two titles available.
If you are interested in unit studies, there are some free at homeschoolshare. Also Beyond Five in a Row uses chapter books and Above and Beyond Five in a Row uses Hitty Her First Hundred Years by Rachel Field, a Newbery medal winner of 1929. It covers history of early 1800’s for a hundred years. I really like how FIAR is customizable for each family and encourages strong family relationships.
http://www.homeschoolshare.com/levels.php
You could add more hands-on projects to other curriculum. Ideas can be found from Laurie Carlson books, like Days of Knights and Damsels. Also check History Pockets. I’m sure there are more available.
There are so many options out there. It sounds like you need something a little different. I have given more suggestions than you would need for you to explore and find the right fit for you and your daughter. I hope you find something soon that rekindles your joy of learning together. Please let us know how it works out.
Wings2fly – I noticed on the freshness column of this thread, that you had posted something yesterday. But, it is not showing up. Just curious about that.
Yes, I tried to post yesterday. I do not know what happened. I will give a shorter summary. I understand you above about me and shears. That’s okay. I hope you will find something to help you both enjoy learning together. Please keep us posted. I give way more suggestions than you would need, hoping you will find the right fit.
Draw and Write Through History is copywork in cursive, so no worries on spelling there. You can also check on Dover history coloring books. They are detailed and not for young children like typical coloring books. They have nonfiction written at the bottom of each page. Medieval Fashions and Renaissance Fashions are two titles available. For more hands on ideas: History pockets or Laurie Carlson like Days of Knights and Damsels. Free unit studies can be found at homeschoolshare.com
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