Hello, everyone! I am new to Classical, though I've done Charlotte Mason when my oldest few were younger. Then we switched to more unschooling/relaxed, and the past few months we've been doing a little more trending toward traditional. I just got The Well-Trained Mind from the library and loved the first half so much, I bought it. LOL I'm just not sure how on earth to do this. I have 10 children, 17 down to 5. 5 of them are internationally adopted, so they are pretty far behind their typical grade levels plus some special needs going on (trying to figure all of those out). My 5 bio kids also have some special needs (ADHD/giftedness, ASD/ADHD/anxiety, anxiety/dyslexia, and jury's still out on the other 2 but obvious there is something). Am I crazy for even wanting to attempt something like Classical? How can I make this work? I am feeling like I need to do some remedial reading work with all 10 (my oldest is the dyslexic), and even though she has her own track trying to graduate on time next year and then go on to become an astrophysicist, she is, for the first time in her life, asking for direction, schedules, and a bit more "thinking matter." Tips, suggestions, advice all welcome! Thank you!

I’ve been reading The Well-Trained Mind and I’m wondering if anyone has been able to use this method with a child with Down Syndrome or another developmental delay. I know the 4th Edition has a chapter on learning difficulties but that seemed to be more about having your child tested if you suspect they have some sort of learning difficulty. What if I already know she has a developmental delay? Is The Well-Trained Mind achievable for someone like my daughter?

Every so often I hear people say that their state doesn't have county boards for developmental disabilities or other resources for their children with disabilities. I found some websites that have state by state information on supports, and I thought the links would be useful to some of you. http://www.parentcenterhub.org/stateagencies/ http://medicaidwaiver.org/ HTH

Every so often I hear people say that their state doesn't have county boards for developmental disabilities or other resources for their children with disabilities. I found some websites that have state by state information on supports, and I thought the links would be useful to some of you. http://www.parentcenterhub.org/stateagencies/ http://medicaidwaiver.org/ HTH

Does anyone know of a test that can tell me what level my child is for her written expression? I know she is behind. But I am needed a score to provide social security for her re-evaluation and I have no idea what test to use. She is currently in 3rd grade. Thanks in advance!

Hi there My youngest son is special needs and almost 11. He's finally able to remember most sounds of the alphabet and is interested in reading. Now that we're at lesson 34, he's really struggling. Has anyone found any specific apps that really help with OPGTR? I'm really trying not to panic, but I feel like I'm running out of time with him.

Hi all, I apologize if there's already a post about this, but I was wondering if there is a list somewhere, or some resource, that lists the essential math skills that kids absolutely need to know before adulthood. Let's say a kid is never going to be multiplying fractions, doing algebra, etc.. we just want enough math to survive in the world. So far I've got: Addition and subtraction, and knowing WHEN to add or subtract Words like bigger, smaller, wide, narrow, greater than, less than, half, double, triple.... Basic fractions for cooking, for when someone says "put half of these thingamabobs over there..." Basic measurement How to balance a checkbook/understanding online bank account info Multiplication..? Like - if I get paid $X a week, how much do I earn in a month? Thanks!

This week I found a new program online called "Gemiini". Here is the link: https://gemiini.org/ It is a subscription based program with videos (over 12,000) for children with autism or special needs to help with speech and language. It is research based (repetition, working memory, novel events, etc.) and so far my daughter loves it. It's hard to explain without watching one, but I would check it out. They have a $1 monthly trial to test it out. Jenn

I could write 20 posts today with all the ?'s I have in my brain , but I decided to focus on the first priority:) Quick background, this is my 4th year homeschooling, but only 2nd with all 4 kids. They have all been in PS and pulled home gradually. All of my kids have learning issues.....mild to significant. My DD11 was in special education since age 4. She came home last year In 4th grade. She can read decode on a high 3rd grade level. She is finishing up AAR3 and is in AAS2. Her biggest issue is comprehension, plus she hates to read. She receives OT and PT and is on the waiting list for speech. She also is in VT. I do not feel that I am giving her what she needs. She struggles so much with auditory....but so much of our curriculum is that way because of read alouds. I do SOTW but that is auditory and she is TOTALLY lost after I read. Yes, there are hands on activities but I don't always have time for them because my day is so long and full with the 4 kids ( I spend 2 hours a day just teaching spelling and reading...my 8 year old still can't read). I have her read to me for 20 minutes a day for her all about reading lesson and then I tell her 15 minutes of quiet reading. It's always a book of her choice which is always on her kindle and usually a non fiction book. She uses the text to speech. She's in 5th grade...and I struggle with thinking I'm not pushing her enough to letting 15 minutes of independent reading be enough because she hates to read. We do free journaling everyday, but I'm trying to start IEW once a week (Bible Heroes) but she is already really confused on how to KWo. We use daily grams but that is not her favorite either. If it was just her and I at home I believe I could tailor her curriculum so differently, but I struggle keeping up with the needs of all my kids. I think she would thrive with unit studies but then I would be back to doing 2 curriculums because I dont' know if my oldest is ready to totally soar with no teaching from me (he is in 7th but learns best by listening to read alouds...so he LOVES that we do history together) and I don't like having to adjust curriculum for a 7th grade level and a 3rd grade level. I'm rambling.....I just feel frustrated because I don't feel that she is learning anything well.

Cognitive disabilities often include a difficulty with memorization. For those of you who have children with cognitive disabilities do you change your expectations? Or do you just work on mastery longer? My son struggles with memory issues, and while we can work through a book/level, that doesn't mean he remembers everything by the time we reach the end. Should I go back to the beginning? How much mastery/memory is enough?

(x-posted w/ K-8) I have a sweet 9 year old boy who is a fairly good reader. His comprehension is also ok, but a little below average simply because of attention difficulties. He has Autism and is very visual, but is also hyperlexic so he is able to decode and read words at a fairly high level. He is so sweet, and so eager to learn, but has a tremendous amount of difficulty focusing and I want to make his first full time year of homeschooling a very positive and engaging experience for him. This can set the tone for the years to come as he has had some very difficult experiences with many other methods, so thank you for reading. Because of a special funding source for my homeschool curricula, I am limited to buying only books that are listed somewhere as being part of a "complete curriculum." However, I have permission to substitute the 'extra wordy and non-pictoral' versions of these books with ones that would be more appropriate and hold his attention. (This, of course, is all in an effort to get him to the place where he can read with little or no visual support within the book and he is able to make the pictures in his head, but for now....) He seems to respond best to the Charlotte Mason, Unit Studies approach but I'm open to anything. Therefore I can use Amblesideonline, Five in a Row, My Fathers World, or any Charlotte Mason or Classical Curriculum (or other) websites that have book lists, or say 'curriculum' and preferably have year #'s or grade #'s associated with it. However, most of the books as they get into the 3rd grade and above have very few pictures, and even some of the classics that do have pictures, they tend to be "sketch" like and very abstract, which is hard for him to focus on because of a seizure disorder and visual tracking problems. If you have any ideas, suggestions, favorites of visually engaging classics or modern classics that you or your children loved even if you aren't sure if it is on someone's curriculum list, please let me know the name, author, series, website, curriculum name, blog...whatever you can remember. Since I am swimming in possibilities and this process is taking just a huge amount of time and effort, I thought I'd pop on here and see what the 'experts' already know instead of trying to reinvent the wheel from scratch. I'd rather be teaching and reading than hunting and searching, so if you have any suggestions, I'm so appreciative! Note: His Special Interest Areas just as an additional fyi: Presidents, U.S. History, Relationships, Character development, Bible, Cultural/Geographical, Classical Composers, Theater and music. (x-posted w/ special needs)

My friend has a daughter in public school (New York State) who has a 504 Plan. She receives some services like speech therapy, etc, through the school. My friend is considering homeschooling her daughter but she still wants to receive those services through the school. Is that possible?? She says her daughter does not have an IEP. I'm confused because everything I read about 504 is that it makes sure kids receive extra care they need like wheelchair assistance, nursing care like diabetes help, administering meds, etc. Of course, none of these would be an issue with homeschooling. So does a 504 affect homeschooling at all?? I'm so confused. Please answer if it applies to *New York State*. Links are appreciated as well! TIA

I'm finishing up my plans for high school for my son. We are in Ontario, Canada. This is the kid who we were told would never graduate, he would age out of high school. He can do the work, he just needs a slower path than most kids, so I've opted to extend highschool an extra year. He is not my college bound kid. He wants to stay home on the farm and farm with Dad. His loves are History and anything hands on tech. He is slow and steady with the Saxon math, so I'll keep going with it. So, knowing all that. Grade 8 Saxon 8/7 IEW Level C IEW - Grammar Fix it! Apologia General Science SOTW 4 Canada, A People's History 3 A Beka World Geography The Fallacy Detective Jan's Computer Basics Grade 9 Algebra 1 American Literature (Stobaugh) Apologia Physical Science History of the Ancient World Canadian Geography Electronics Grade 10 Geometry British Literature Apologia Biology History of the Medieval World Careers (.5 credit) Life Purpose Planning Civics (.5 credit) Civics Channel Electronics Grade 11 Algebra 2 World Literature Apologia Chemistry Canada in the 20th Century History of the Renaissance World Computers Grade 12 Advanced Math IEW - Advanced Communication Canada - A People's History Highschool course Apologia Physics Automotive WORD certification through college Horticulture Grade 13 Welding Diesel Tech U.S. History Exploring Agriscience Consumer Math During Grades 9 to 12 my son will get 1/4 credit each year toward gym and art. We will study art in relation to the history we are studying that year. How does this look? My son has been helping me for weeks pick out possible textbooks, etc. He is excited about high school now and can't wait to start! LOL

Is your husband a coach for this middle school? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ejh_hb15Fc ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- EDITED: I went back and found your post - NOT THE SAME STORY. Oops. Different situation, but still. this brought tears to my eyes.

Please excuse the cross-post, I also posted to general board. We have homeschooled our son for a couple of years, and plan to homeschool our daughter who is going to start 1st grade. However, we have been working the past year to get independent evaluations related to her special needs. It's a long story, but if she remained in school, the evaluators would be able to come out in September and we think may be able to turn around reports within a month. The school has agreed to pay for the evaIs it a lot harder to pull after a month or two? Has anyone done this, and how has it worked? Am torn -- know it is easier to HS pulling before a school year starts, and another transition -- not good. BUT...it would be very helpful to get evaluations and we have been requesting these for about a year and a half. She has an IEP, which is also in process of revision now. We would be pulling in part b/c of our desire to HS, but also b/c she is not getting needed services through the school or her current providers. The other part of this is that we already have curriculum and co-op registration in place for her, so I would have to hold that temporarily if she started school year. She has also been asking to homeschool and is quite determined. Any thoughts? provenance

Hi All. You guys were a big help during our last adoptions as I panicked over curriculum and shared cores/grade levels, etc. We are at it again. This time she is 6 and has dwarfism and other special needs, and she will obviously come home speaking Mandarin. Because of her dwarfism she has been denied going to school. (Her story is on my blog, below.) My questions are basically from an age/esl/grade level perspective as we play catch up here. Our other kids are 5, 3, 2, and 1. We use Sonlight and Abeka. 5 year old will go with me to China and is learning functional Mandrin (at a much better rate than I am!) Any of you out there have any suggestions on the following topics? -ESL -two in kindergarten, different paces -we are worksheet/book people - this will not work for new DD. audio or visual currics you love? -combining an OLDER child (new DD) with a younger in preschool to catch up without causing weird dynamics? -focus on language first, other areas second? and any other advice. Much appreciated! Missy www.roepnack.blogspot.com

We have homeschooled our son for a couple of years, and plan to homeschool our daughter who is going to start 1st grade. However, we have been working the past year to get independent evaluations related to her special needs. It's a long story, but if she remained in school, the evaluators would be able to come out in September. Is it a lot harder to pull after a month or two? Has anyone done this, and how has it worked? Am torn -- know it is easier to HS pulling before a school year starts. BUT...it would be very helpful to get evaluations and we have been requesting these for about a year and a half. Any thoughts? provenance

We have homeschooled our son for a couple of years, and plan to homeschool our daughter who is going to start 1st grade. However, we have been working the past year to get independent evaluations related to her special needs. It's a long story, but if she remained in school, the evaluators would be able to come out in September. Is it a lot harder to pull after a month or two? Has anyone done this, and how has it worked? Am torn -- know it is easier to HS pulling before a school year starts. BUT...it would be very helpful to get evaluations and we have been requesting these for about a year and a half. Any thoughts? provenance

I am homeschooling two 10yo children with FASD. I am looking for a math program that is very drill orientated, plenty of repetition, mastery not spirial and very little abstract problems. My daughter does not like using manipulatives and needs constant review so I don't think Math-U-See would work. Saxon's sprial method would not work with her either because it takes many lessons on the same topic for her to get it. I have been looking at Rod & Staff and think it would work except it doesn't have workbooks after second grade and they both hate writing down the problems. My son has fine motor skill problems so writing all the problems is very tiring for him. Abeka is a mastery, repetious workbook program but I heard it can move fast. Any programs out there that is similar to Rod & Staff but in a workbook form?

I am so completely livid right now. Chaos had a meltdown of MAMMOTH proportions. After everything calmed down, I figured out the trigger, and it was my fault, not his. Anyway.. I was in the local variety store that I am not fond of visiting (the shopkeeper there is rather dour and rude) to pick up a tote for my math stuff. DS ended up having a really, really big meltdown. Complete with screaming, kicking and was basically losing the plot. When he gets into that mode, he is STRONG. Like I think he could possibly lift a car (well not that strong, but ends up about twice as strong as me) So I had to catch him, and somehow lift him up when he had gone all rigid, and as carefully as I could (he was at that point where hurting himself either by accident or deliberately was a great risk) quickly got him through the aisle and out the door (whilst DH took care of purchasing the stuff). Once I got him out of "ground zero" he calmed a bit and I held him in a strong hug till DH & the other two kids came out, then proceeded to pick him up at a weird angle (he was still tense & resisting) got him down the street, hurt my ankle a bit when he wiggled/tensed whilst I was on the edge of the pavement, and got him into the car, where both DH & I had to hold him firmly, whilst we got him in his seat. As soon as the seatbelt was on, he calmed more and finally broke a smile when I gave him my sunglasses. So all in all, I was thrilled with the fact everything got handled quite efficiently, he didn't get hurt, and that I found the trigger and realized what set it off (its been ages since he had a meltdown in public, and about a year since he's had one anywhere that was that big). I realized he didn't have his "fiddle" and his "hug" (he always needs two things when we go out, something to have in his hand, to fiddle with, and something that makes him "secure" like sunglasses or a soft teddy or big jumper etc) I could of smacked my head realizing I had somehow forgot those things today (it becomes an auto thing for him to grab them, so I haven't had to concentrate really on making sure he has them). So overall I was completely happy. :rant: What I was not happy about was the comments. Really rude comments. I had to listen to two different people on my way out who said stuff that made me almost lose my cool. But I just managed to keep my temper in check, and concentrate on Chaos, and making sure he was okay. When we got back to the car, I found out other than the two people I had to ignore, the shopkeeper was discussing Chaos to another customer in front (and apparently saying some things that DH didn't even want to repeat to me) then when DH was being rung up, the shopkeeper said "he's your boy isn't he?" DH nodded, and she replied with (in, apparently, what was a really snide voice, and DH does not usually pick up that sort of thing from others which means she must of been radiating it) "Normal people do something about that, don't you know?" :cursing: I was > < this close to going back there, and giving her a piece of my mind. Why is it people just think that your being a bad parent? That they automatically assume everything is fine and that your child is just a brat? My two other children were standing there acting a good as gold. I am just so sick of people who have nothing nice to say and know NOTHING about our situation, opening their mouths and letting stuff fly out of it that have no business being said at all. It makes me go through a rainbow of emotions, none of them nice, to have to "overhear" (not that these people are whispering, more like practically shouting it) what they have decided & judged from a two second glimpse into our life. Not to mention the fact my son may overhear those comments! I'm needing to beg for patience & understanding right now, because I lost it all, dealing with those people :sneaky2: Never, EVER going to that shop again either :mad: :sad: I'm a mess right now, I keep hovering in between anger & crying. :crying: Thanks for "listening".

I'm so confused. My son has Autism PDD. He is AWESOME! Very social and approriate. Things I've worked very hard to make happen. We start our 9th grade year Tues and I really want him to have a diploma when he graduates. My dilema... He is not learning at a 9th grade level. He hates certain subjects and I can not see teaching him English 9. He just doesnt get English. How do I get around this if 3 years of English is required for H.S. We have used Accellerated Christian Education and he seems to like that style of learning. Any suggestions would help. If you've been in this same situation please let me know what works or worked for you. All responses are greatly appreciated. Blessings Selena

Hi. My ds11 has some physical delays, using a pencil is extremely time consuming and some days painful. What would take a typical 11 two minutes to write it can take hours. He has however become quicker at typing. I'm wondering about taking his workbooks for english/language arts and scanning them in and creating PDF versions that he could just type his answers into the blanks and then I could print them out to put into a binder afterwards. Has anyone ever did this? What are the pro's and con's with doing this. If the point of the lesson is to learn how to construct a sentence then not actually hand writing it, shouldn't be a problem right?? Hoping for guidance. Also, any suggestions on what programs I should use to do this, without buying a full copy of Acrobat Reader? Amy

Ok, So this fall we'll have a special needs Kindergartner (most pronounced is that he has visuo-, somatodyspraxia which makes him sensory seeking), 2 ESL middle schoolers (with basically no functional English), a 2nd, and 4th grader. If you have any tips for scheduling, schooling, and all around managing a situation remotely similar to this, please share! We're generally a classically educating family and our youngest 3 will participate in a CC community. Thanks in advance!

Anyone using the ABLLS to help them track and move forward on skills? DS is not autistic but my Parent-to-Parent mentor recently suggested it as being helpful for her daughter. Anyone BTDT? How does it work? Where would I get the evaluation done, or did you do it yourself? Does anyone do the web version? Any resources?