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mymommy1

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Everything posted by mymommy1

  1. I'm looking for feedback on Memoria Press Kindergarten. My questions or concerns are mainly due to cost and not wanting to overload K with book work. I was very laid-back with the first two. This DS is doing MP JrK and we like it. 1. Phonics: Do I need First Start Reading and the Core Phonics? Would just FSR be enough? What about OPGTR and Core Phonics? 2. Readers: Would Bob books work instead of the Primary Phonics Readers? I like the American Language Series, but would like feedback on those. 3. Math: R&S? Do I need the Numbers Books, too? 4. Copybook: This ds has good writing skills so far. I don't want to overload him. Would a notebook of writing name, address, calendar words, etc. be just as good? Thanks!
  2. What did you do for a writing component if any? With my first two, I taught them to read, and they now read well. However, I neglected writing and spelling, and they are behind. I'd like to do something a bit different with this one.
  3. I'm looking for feedback on Memoria Press Kindergarten. I've used 2nd Enrichment, so I'm pretty excited about the K enrichment and crafts. I like the recitation. My questions or concerns are mainly due to cost and not wanting to overload K with book work. I was very laid-back with the first two. This DS is doing MP JrK and we like it. 1. Phonics: Do I need First Start Reading and the Core Phonics? Would just FSR be enough? What about OPGTR and Core Phonics? 2. Readers: Would Bob books work instead of the Primary Phonics Readers? I like the American Language Series, but would like feedback on those. 3. Math: R&S? Do I need the Numbers Books, too? I haven't found a math curriculum I like for any of my boys. 4. Copybook: This ds has good writing skills so far. I don't want to overload him. Would a notebook of writing name, address, calendar words, etc. be just as good? Thanks!
  4. This is an old thread, but researching these ideas for use with an older child, I thought the drumming was interesting. Then I came across this https://www.stronginstitute.com/resources/calming-anxiety-based-behaviors-in-autism-with-rei.html and thought I'd leave it here for others since it relates. It's rhythmic drumming cDs and such used as therapy for ADHD in adults and Autism in kids and such.
  5. I used to teach in a high school that served a "boy's ranch" (juvenile alternative home), so I understand what you were saying about how ED labeled kids are viewed. That's what I meant by it being hard. I don't feel that way; I really enjoyed those boys, but that's not most people. I want to pursue all possibilities before calling it mood disorder or bipolar and starting heavy meds. Just today, we are again trying to place MIL in psyc hospital. I feel the stakes for my son are huge because he is similar to her, but I'm hopeful that his life can be different. I will pursue the HFA diagnosis. I've called the psyc the school district uses and will ask him what he does. (It's a small district, so most things are out-sourced.) I know someone with an autistic high schooler in the same district and can ask her about services there. I have another home school friend with two sons on spectrum. I'll check with her as well. Just got in a hole and couldn't think what to do, so definitely keeping advocate in mind. Not sure we have those in our area, but we may. Oh, we are in Texas, so he doesn't have an IEP and school district has to do testing. They are supposed to provide services, but some require them to come to school then.
  6. I understand what your saying about the scores and all. I have pages of results with several tests and subscores. I'm summarizing on my own from reading and rereading the results. Certainly if he is on ADHD meds at the time of evals, the tests would be worth redoing. Or if they do different tests, then great. We will find out when we go on the 10th for intro meeting. I'll also see if she has recommendations for behavior help while we wait.
  7. I'm keeping the eval. I'll get an appointment with his ped. We need to talk about the ADHD meds, and I have to have a referral if psychiatrist becomes needed. There are three in our mid-sized town and none are taking new patients, so I need a referral for sure. I asked for OT because I really feel sensory is an issue. She helps with his writing and talking to him about calming and senses in general. He can do most things for himself at this point. I want to see if she will help him perfect his shoe tying and try joint compressions on his arms (where he tics). Are there other things I should ask for? Our local ABA office is full for fall, but with a dr's referral, I might can start in spring. Right now, I'm doing as you suggested in the other thread and working on calming, stopping before fits start, etc. Local school will do the eval sooner and is willing. They use a psychologist in private practice in a near larger town. He has also worked in clinics and the local hospital adolescent psych unit for over 10 years. Since my second guess is mood disorder or issues, I was thinking the private physiologist might be better. Anyone with kids with bipolar, mood disorder, OCD, etc. with advice? I hate to specifically ask the special ed coordinator if she can do that in my son's IEP. Those labels can be hard or seem hard for people to deal with.
  8. Okay, I always referred to them as LDs, so I wasn't sure about SLD. Technically, statistically, he doesn't qualify as SLD in anything. I don't think she did the standard IQ test, but she do tests that testing showed him at or below average intelligence. Since that is where he performed on the tests, he didn't qualify as SLD. Also, she said that his ADHD is so bad that it affects every test. We COULD have him retested after medication and see if the scores are different. I don't know that educational testing is my main focus now, as you see from the other thread. His current eval told me that he was more below level than I thought and slower than I thought, so we accommodated more. His struggles in math are really the same as writing. He can only hold a bit of info in his head and get it on paper before it's gone. Plus, he gets so distracted, even on meds. He can do the problems, but they are automatic. I can show him one, and he can do the next few, again using a multiplication chart. I love your ideas, OhElizabeth! That's what I needed. I also like knowing your son did math with his ABA person. With our dynamic now, I was thinking of seeking out a math or special education student from our university or tutor to help him a bit, tell my nerves get back in check. Heathermomster, that's a great idea- just take the big idea from the MM pages and work it on paper or boards. This isn't really my focus, but after the other thread on processing speed and how it doesn't really get much better, I thought I'd see if there were more specific ideas for accomodating. I'm also reading Bright Kids Who Can't Keep Up. Thanks again!
  9. DS 11 is diagnosed with ADHD. His processing speed is single digit. He is behind in math, writing, and spelling; on grade or above for other subjects. Since August, his behavior has been getting worse and worse. This isn't the first time this has happened, going as far back as 3. In fact, some days his tantrums are just like when he was little. He was one of those kids who screamed all the time no matter what we did. We are seeing now that his system is very sensitive - to meds, dyes, anxiety, fear, disappointment, etc - and he lacks the ability to self-regulate. We didn't seek evals sooner because ADHD runs in both our families, and we thought he would get better as he got older. Other issues we are dealing with and that are overwhelming me: 1. I have not gotten through a shopping trip with him in about a month. He sees something he wants, we talk calmly about why we won't get it and what he can get instead or that he can get it, but with his allowance. Then he slowly spirals down the drain as we go painfully through the store. It goes from "I can't have the cupcakes" to "I can never have sugar again." Big things. We leave not finished. 2. School is not happening. If I even get his brother's work out, he starts to get upset: I hate it, it's stupid, I can't do it. He has been reading library books, writing at OT, listening in to brother's subjects, and doing a little math or Latin when he isn't wigged out. 3. He wants friends, but when I put him in activities, he doesn't interact with the kids. Soccer for 6 weeks, knew no kid's name, last game before he played with anyone outside of practice. Homeschool game day - spent the whole time looking at games, talked to his brother. I offered to introduce the kids, but he wasn't interested. He plays well with his cousin. If his brother talks to kids, he'll tag along, often sharing his collection of stuff or making up games with rules no one can follow. 4. He collects: trash - wrappers, bottle caps from parking lots, his teeth flossers; rocks, sticks, leaves; stuffed animals; boxes. We've been working on talking through why, refusing germy things, and cleaning up when he isn't aware. 5. My MIL (63) has had a life-long struggle with ADHD, mood disorders, bipolar. It is still a BIG issue. We see some of the things our son does in her. My husband is discouraged because his mother hasn't found sustainable help. However, he hasn't given up, but much of the doing is on me. I have an appointment with a child psychologist for evals, but those don't come unit January. She does work with many autistic kids. I'd like to see if what I'm thinking seems on target before I wait months to see the wrong person. I think he has many HFA symptoms. Would that explain the other things ? Maybe meds first? He did well with ADHD meds this summer, but since August, hit or miss. I thought they were increasing his tic, so I backed off. Tic did not improve. Thanks!
  10. What is SLD? I scribed math until vary recently, but I turn his paper sideways to help him line up numbers. Depending on his functioning I choose 5 problems, 25 mins, only this part, etc. This summer, the ADHD meds really helped, and we completed about 1/3 of fourth grade math (accommodations on number of problems and using charts). What would be your choice if not MM? Also, this isn't the main issue we are dealing with, but the worst part of school. I'll make a separate post on the rest.
  11. As a spin-off of the recent thread on improving processing speed, are there math curriculum or methods that work well with slow processing speed? My son's at 11 yrs is in single digits. On untimed content tests, he is low avg to average. On reading comprehension and logic, he is above average. We just finished 4th grade math with him, and it's just painful to continue for both of us. He is getting OT help with physical writing. I already accommodate - five problems or 30 mins or one good sentence, etc. Thanks.
  12. Update: I ordered the shoe mentioned above, a Keen tennis shoe, and a zero-drop my MIL thought were perfect. The Olukai won; he loves them. They are VERY wide. I can see that the fit is very much like a croc, but there is more support and they are cute enough to suit me. I will keep trying the zero-drop. The pair I got didn't lace or give at the top, so neither of us could get our tall-arch feet in them. They are heavier and narrower than the Olukai, as well. Loved the Keen tennis shoes. Very cute, but almost a full size smaller than other tennis shoes we have. (size 6 was about a 5.) My 8 year old snagged those to grow into. He loves them. Not wide, but nice shoes. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00L89SC1Q/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Just wanted to give a review and thanks again. I'm not ruling out winter style crocs for around the house, but I'm happy to have something a bit better to run in and loads better to look at, and he is happy!
  13. Rabin, I miss read your post yesterday to say he needed support. I realized that last night. Ohelizabeth, my husband will keep them;I just haven't made it a priority yet. With the added ideas, I can make a plan and go.
  14. Shoe shopping with 3 like I've tried is so nerve racking. I 'll try the side span as well. Has anyone bought online?
  15. I was just looking at those and wondering that. He will need supports because he and I both have high-arches and wide feet.
  16. Thank you so, so much! I have so many ideas to follow up on and hope that we will have new shoes soon. I'll post with an update soon.
  17. Update Post #26~ I know this is a weird topic for a homeschool forum, but someone on here has had to have had this problem. My DS 11 is wearing shoes that are literally 1/2 in to short. How do I know? He is wearing the horrible clogs his grandmother bought him possibly 1.5-2 yrs ago, and his heel sticks over. We have tried 3 times in the last 6 months to go shoe shopping and have come home empty handed or with shoes he wouldn't wear. He has ADHD with SPD issues with clothes, shoes, food, etc. Problem now is his heel is hurting from being over the shoe. Tennis shoes won't let his toes move. New clogs have bumpy things in the bottom. I don't think they are good for his feet anyway as many times he says his knees hurt. What can I get that he can run and play in, slip on, and move his toes in? Just thought I'd seek advice before I head to the more expensive shoe stores this weekend. PLEASE HELP ME!
  18. I just wanted to make sure I have correct book. It's by Scott and Horn. Thanks!
  19. I wanted to point out something I learned that you may already now. For old classics, like Secret Garden, you can get the Kindle book, usually free or $3 or less. Then add the narration. It's the same Audible book. That way, you can most for $5 or less. Tom Sawyer would be another I used that on. Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland, etc. All of EB White's books read by him are great. I love the Little House books on Audio because the songs are sung and fiddle music is added. (We get those at the library, though.) Here are some books I might get on Audible because I can not manage to get through them reading (so maybe they aren't that good?) - Wheel on the School, The Borrowers, Farmer Boy.
  20. SilverMoon, I'll look at WA again. I tried it before when he was too young. Tiramisu, I think that's a great idea. I think once he starts writing more, his spelling will progress faster. He is making great progress with cursive, so I'm hopeful by the end of summer he can copy whole sentences with relative ease and not so much fussing.
  21. Thanks for your reply, especially with your "new" eyes. He can do the narration in WWE 4 orally. He can do the dictation, except for spelling the words correctly and actually making it to writing the whole piece! We are putting lots of time into spelling and building his writing this summer. I do hate to bore him with ONLY narration. We are doing SOTW4, and some outlining there. Anyone have thoughts on just starting with R&S 6 and taking it slow? He will continue Latin to support his grammar.
  22. My soon to be sixth grader needs to build skills in composition. He needs to build his spelling and hand-writing abilities, and we are doing that this summer. He has not had formal grammar. Through a few fun things and Latin, he knows many parts of speech, types of sentences, end punctuation - the basics. He can capitalize a sentence and put a period at the end. He can narrate, summarize, rewrite in complete sentences - orally. He has done some copywork and dictation. We did the first third of IEW SWI-A. He did fine, but I didn't like it. He is pencil- and generally work-phobic. He says, "I know how to write," which he can orally. I know where I want to get him, but I'm not sure what to do/use to get there. Should I do WWE 3/4 with him until he can write on his own? At his level and personality, what grammar?
  23. Thank you, 4blessingmom, for that thoughtful reply. I've been studying spelling for days. I also wanted to add 3 things for anyone who reads the thread in the future. 1. AAS seemed to be working. He was 9 and finished level 1 and 2. He hated the tiles, hated spelling, couldn't remember the rules, but did learn words. I was bored, frustrated with lack of progress, and had another son to teach that was quickly catching up to his older brother. Now I know that ADHD and other such things cause inconsistency in learning. It was probably working more than I thought at the time. We probably could have dropped it for a while and returned and progressed. 2. A&P did show progress, probably more than AAS, but he was older. Why didn't I continue? Even doing a modified 1/2 lesson a day, it was taking all his writing strength/tolerance he had. I need him to start writing/copying his own sentences (like in WWE 3 and 4), so he can write a paragraph. I can't use all his writing time on spelling. 3. My husband (and others) thought if he learned to read well, he would spell well. It didn't work. I guess he got my spelling ability instead of dad's! Thanks for all the help.
  24. First, I know very little about Latin, so please excuse errors. My husband had college Latin and teaches this subject to the boys. We want a Latin and grammar program or programs that go together or somehow eliminate as much overlap as possible. We are currently working through GSWL, which was chosen from the reviews here. I am thinking about or getting ready to start grammar with the boys (6th and 3rd). I saw on Cathy Duffy's reviews that CAP Latin for Children (LFC) is keyed or inline with Shurley Grammar. First Form Latin (FFL) is made to go with Memoria Press English Grammar Recitation (EGR). Are there other programs I should be looking at for after GSWL? Then, have you found that using certain grammar and Latin programs together is either helpful or difficult?
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