As someone else already said, the best place to go for vision screening is a developmental optometrist (a COVD doctor). A regular optometrist or ophthalmologist doesn't do a good screening for eye tracking, convergence, binocularity, depth perception, etc. Eyesight can easily be 20/20 and still need therapy. My daughter classically falls into symptoms that led me to seek out vision screening. She has trouble reading, her eyes tear, headaches with reading, double vision (that I never knew about). Starting vision therapy has had incredible results in the short term with her. In the process, I started asking questions about my other kids most notably my oldest who is extremely gifted, dyslexic and severely dysgraphic. On any vision screening questionare, he doesn't stand out at all. However, it is very evident that his eyes don't track normally. The doctor says that he is so bright that he probably learned to accommodate himself, but higher level work overwhelms his visual system. He has very poor depth perception which might be a big factor in his handwriting difficulty. He also has very poor convergence which puts a lot of stress on the visual system. He is only on his second week of vision therapy, so we'll see how it goes. If you know anyone in your area that has had vision therapy ask them for recommendations. Also ask for recommendations for psych testing - either through a neuropsych or educational psych. I found a good person for testing by calling up our local dyslexia tutoring center and asking who they refer patients to for testing. Good luck as you sort through what you want to do.

Windows to the World - good intro to literature studies Excellence in Literature - good starting point for independent student that likes to chase rabbit trails and learn on their own; great for me to learn, not so great for my oldest Center for literature online class - good class for online discussion of literary elements of books; has a separate writing class Bravewriter - has literature component that might work well with multiple kids at different levels

Not sure. I generally think testing (even just to know) is worthwhile. Understanding that reading takes more time because of x can be helpful. Labels generally aren't going to fix anything, but can still be helpful. You may find a diagnosis helpful for SAT/ACT testing, though it may be tougher to get extended time with a brand new diagnosis - they seem to be picky. My son can double his score with double time. Testing now may really help if any accommodations are needed in college. As a previous poster said, vision issues can coexist with other learning issues. Whereas any acoomodations for dyslexia, dysgraphis, etc. you are probably naturally doing at home - whatever time it takes, occasional scribing, etc. If vision issues are detected, the results of vision therapy may make a huge impact on reading speed and handwriting depending on the issues. My high schooler just started vision therapy so we'll see how it goes.

They are very similar. The content of the two books has many identical sections. In some chapters the 9th edition has more content, but not usually. The 9th edition has more asides - history, etc. The 9th edition also has lots more end of chapter problems. If you have a student bothered by all the extras, then I'd go with the high school edition otherwise I don't think it matters too much.

I was also going to suggest MIT's open scholar courses by Walter Lewin. You can simply watch the lectures or do all the homework with an edX class.

Here's another recommendation for Zacarro's Primary Grade Challenge math. It covers a wide range of topics and skill levels. Something else you might look at is Balance Benders - these are basically algebra problems done with shapes. I would definitely support exposure to higher level thinking while working on foundational skills. Another thing I've done with my kids that need help in a specific area like multiplication/division (or anything else) is buy the Math Mammoth worksheets for that area and work through them alongside whatever else you are doing.

I would recommend Art of Problem Solving Counting and Probability. I think it is a fun book and very different from anything he has done. To supplement the book there are optional vidoes on the AoPS website if you are interested.

Alternatively, get a refund and sign up for a new intensive next year. I see no reason you can't finish the class over more than one year unless your child is graduating. Get a refund, take a deep breath and then sit back and decide what you want to do.

Another thing that you might look at is Math Mammoth.

You might look at Kitchen Table Math sold by Art of Problem Solving. This is a series of three books that start at the beginning of math and go farther than where you are now. They have great (easy) suggestions of how to learn all sorts of math concepts with manipulatives, games, etc. Each book is around $20. The best price I saw when quickly looking was the three book set from Art of Problem Solving.

If you end up going with Barton then you might find you like using the tiles on the app better than setting them up every time. I find that is saves us tons of time and we like it better. We get a lot more done in each session by doing it this way. This only works with an ipad so if you don't have that then just use the tiles. Also, Susan Barton doesn't recommend buying the app until about level 4. (You have to buy each level you use separately). I definitely would not buy the app for levels 1 and 2. Level 3, the tiles are not too cumbersome, but I'm thinking of buying this level for my son when he gets there. My daughter loves the app at higher levels as it makes things more efficient to not have to move tiles between every word.

My kids had been seen by numerous doctors including regular optometrist and ophthalmologist and no one picked up on any vision issues. They all have 20/20 vision. If your son's eyes tear when looking a printed pages, then I would definitely look into finding a COVD optometrist to evaluate him for possible problems. My daughter's eyes were tearing from the stress of trying to turn in her eyes to focus on near objects. Individually the eyes could see near, but they weren't working together to focus on the same spot. Vision issues often coincide with other issues like reading and sensory.

I use Barton so I am really only familiar with that one. It has worked well for us. I would encourage you that if you use Barton to consider contacting Susan Barton herself with any questions or concerns - she does an amazing job of giving personal answers. Also if you choose Barton, pay attention to the screening for both the teacher and student which is available online. If you as a teacher can't hear the sounds, then you can't teach them either. If you choose Barton (and probably other programs) concentrate on the program and don't worry about outside reading. Barton recommends no outside reading until through level 3-4. Get lots of books on tape. Consider Learning Ally if that is appropriate for you son. Do lots of reading aloud. I will second a screening by a developmental optometrist. Even if you have no concerns, things may be noticed by the doc that have dramatic impacts on reading. Good luck picking the right program for your family.

Sounds like you have a plan. Keep your eyes on the goal and don't worry about what you are "missing" It will all work out.

Sure, Barton recommends no outside reading until level 4, but that is so that nonreaders don't get confused and fall into bad habits. It sounds like you already have a good reader. If you want to use Barton then I would call up Susan Barton herself and talk about your situation. I agree with Merry - What do you hope to accomplish? Are there reading issues that are holding him back? What are your goals? More importantly, is he meeting his potential now or not? Does it really matter that he's not great at nonsense words? Your son reminds me of mine. In 7th grade while being evaluated for dysgraphia, we were told he has a "reading disorder", but the evaluator would not talk to me any more about it. I was like, what do you mean? He's an avid reader and has no problems that I could see. With time, I watched his reading and listened to his comments. It became clear that he avoided textbook - math/science reading - he wanted it read to him instead. (He didn't need it explained, just read). I had never previously noticed this as I always did math with him since I had to scribe everything and we naturally fell in the habit of me reading the math aloud. He now follows me around asking me to read more math to him so he can work more problems. He just commented tonight that math is way easier to listen to than to read since he has to think so much more to read. 8th grade - neuropsych - formally diagnosed dyslexic, qualifies for extended time and off the charts good reading comprehension when given enough time. What to do? No real comments other than extended time and a scribe for dysgraphia. 9th grade - ended up a developmental optometrist for sister to have vision therapy. In talking to the doctor and then evaluating my son, the doc has noted several problems with his vision as well. As far as reading, you are supposed to spend about 6/10th of a second per word focused on each word and the optometrist thinks he spends less than 1/10th of a second per word (I may have the times wrong). He says that it appears that his eyes make rapid staccato jumps, but that he's smart enough to put it all together for reading literature. Technical reading is more difficult since you have to note every word and not skip around. There are other issues with his depth perception that may be affecting his handwriting - who knows? Maybe your son's "reading issues" are more about vision? Who knows? I'm not sure I see much of a point of remediating his reading if he's already a good reader. I'd go back to mom instinct and ask yourself if he is meeting his potential or not?

My daughter is at the beginning of VT and it has made a dramatic difference already. She has pretty severe convergence insufficiency as well as other problems. She is on level 7 of Barton and she is ABLE to decode words but has no speed and this fall she worsened to the point that she could only read a paragraph or two before her eyes were watering and she had a severe headache. We noted a big difference in her speed of short passages (in board games) as soon as she got stress glasses. A month into therapy she is picking up books and reading for fun for the first time in her life. I have two boys that started VT this week. They have different problems from my daughter, but I've become convinced that it will help them as well. Hope you find the help you need and hopefully it doesn't take too much driving and isn't too hard on your pocketbook.

I'd probably do both. I'm not sure I'd trust the first to figure out everything so I'd still want to go to the COVD. However, given the distance, he may reassure you that the first doc is doing the right thing (or not). Ask the first doc lots of questions about his training and why he isn't listed as COVD.

In the 1952 version of Importance of Being Earnest, it starts off with Jack singing in his bathtub showing his knees and upper body (no nudity of privates, just implied).

Thanks. Bennett's books look great for what my son would like.

You have a lot on your plate. It sounds like you are doing a great job! I use Barton at home and I think you could easily do this. You could back off on the reading tutor saving both money and time. I agree that an evaluation for learning disabilities is very important as well as screening by a developmental optometrist for vision problems. While I think both are very important, I might start with the vision screening as if he needs vision therapy you might see a big improvement quickly in his ability to do schoolwork.

I have one that is severely dysgraphic and I could describe as you did your son. My son has been evaluated twice by OT over the years and both times they said they couldn't do anything for him. He is starting vision therapy next week and the doc thinks VT will help his handwriting as well as other things.

Thanks. It looks great! I will use it as a supplement to other things I teach for chemistry.

If you are paying for services (that you will use) it might be an investment. I wouldn't pay for it just for library privileges that I can buy the books or get them on interlibrary loan.

If you can move on without needing this for future problems, then I'd do so. I'd also find another source and start teaching it from the beginning again after awhile. Sometimes just taking some time off for the concept to gel is helpful or a different approach.

At our local schools, the math teachers are more than welcoming to working with us, it's the administration that tends to prohibit homeschoolers saying they don't know how to discipline them if there is a problem (I suggest kicking them out if there is a problem, but that doesn't seem to work for them).