GypsyHomesteader Posted June 8, 2015 Share Posted June 8, 2015 Hello! I have been reading and wracking my brain trying to find something but I am going into sensory overload. I have a 7 year old that doesn't know how to read and doesn't want to learn. If I force him it raises (my already high) blood pressure and just creates a distasteful experience for us both. I have tried 100EZ, OPGTR and Saxon Phonics. Of the three he did seem to like Saxon the best but I'd like something that is a little more interactive. He is my sensory child. He is very, active and wants to GO all the time. Is there a reading program that fits? I also have a 13 year old son that has no interest in math at all. He says it is boring. Learning from a textbook usually is but I really want him to learn math. I need a program that is engaging but won't break the bank. We have tried Saxon, MUS and TT. *I* like Saxon but he didn't. Is there a program that is more engaging? More "real world"? We are eclectic in our teaching. I don't follow any particular method no use any particular curricula exclusively. We "unschool" some subjects and formal teach others. Although we have been slacking on the formal part. There haven't been any homeschool conventions near me that I have been able to attend to check out what is out there. Are there any suggestions that can be made? Thank you ladies! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wapiti Posted June 8, 2015 Share Posted June 8, 2015 My two cents: make sure you've had the non-reader's vision checked (if possible, get a regular checkup with a covd optometrist and discuss the non-reading). What math level is the 13 y.o. working at? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mama25angels Posted June 8, 2015 Share Posted June 8, 2015 My two cents: make sure you've had the non-reader's vision checked (if possible, get a regular checkup with a covd optometrist and discuss the non-reading). What math level is the 13 y.o. working at? I agree with having the non readers vision checked, then maybe try AAR. I would consider Khan academy paired with something else for the 7th grader. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdventuresinHomeschooling Posted June 8, 2015 Share Posted June 8, 2015 You might get more ideas for math on the upper level boards. We use SSRW. I is an interactive, singing, colorful program with lots of games, etc. we like it. It can be pricey. It is more classroom based. It's great for my wiggly boys. I also think Abeka phonics is solid, but I don't use it because of how early they introduce cursive and how integrated it is. It is very classroom based. Explode the Code seems popular too, but I have no personal experience, but it is much more affordable, and he can work through at his own pace Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GypsyHomesteader Posted June 8, 2015 Author Share Posted June 8, 2015 My two cents: make sure you've had the non-reader's vision checked (if possible, get a regular checkup with a covd optometrist and discuss the non-reading). What math level is the 13 y.o. working at? I honestly don't know. We were doing Saxon 5/6 before we moved a few months ago but I haven't been able to find the books after we moved (NO clue where they went and I have been through our stuff). So whatever level that is at. Even if it is a higher level he does pick up the concepts quickly it is just such a struggle to get him to do it. I'd like to start at the lower grade level of the Saxon 5/6 just to build a foundation. He'll blow through it but I have always done that with my kids. That way it builds confidence. I agree with having the non readers vision checked, then maybe try AAR. I would consider Khan academy paired with something else for the 7th grader. My oldest boy has been wearing glasses since he was 18 months old so my youngest has been and the Dr looked at him. His vision was, IIRC, better than 20/20, so I know it isn't that. I almost wish it was that easy! I DID try AAR at one point. I didn't like the very, very first level where all it had in the student book was letters and my son didn't like the Zebra. I haven't looked at the second level. I may do that. We LOVE... LOVE AAS. Even my oldest son likes AAS. I HAVE done Khan, and although I love the fact it is free, my son doesn't like it and at this point I haven't seen any improvement in his math skills. Granted he only did it a few weeks. You might get more ideas for math on the upper level boards. We use SSRW. I is an interactive, singing, colorful program with lots of games, etc. we like it. It can be pricey. It is more classroom based. It's great for my wiggly boys. I also think Abeka phonics is solid, but I don't use it because of how early they introduce cursive and how integrated it is. It is very classroom based. Explode the Code seems popular too, but I have no personal experience, but it is much more affordable, and he can work through at his own pace This SSRW, what kind of singing? Can it be skipped or is it videos to watch? My youngest will not like singing. He doesn't even like it when I sing along with the radio... matter of fact he doesn't even like it when I turn on the radio. Much to my consternation. I tried Reading Eggs when he was about 5 or so and that was a huge failure. All he did was complain about the ant singing. I completely forgot about Explode the Code! I thought it was a supplemental program? I used it as supplemental with my oldest son. I know I'd be able to use that with him. However is it enough? Why did this seem so much easier with my older two? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mama25angels Posted June 8, 2015 Share Posted June 8, 2015 Maybe try Lial's Basic College math for the 7th grader since he picks up the concepts easily or look up a few programs for him and let him pick the one he would like to do. I would just do AAS for your 7yo, I believe there is also a program that will get him reading using real book, but I can't think of the name right now. Elizabeth B also has a free program at www.thephonicspage.org, that might work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiara.I Posted June 8, 2015 Share Posted June 8, 2015 My oldest boy has been wearing glasses since he was 18 months old so my youngest has been and the Dr looked at him. His vision was, IIRC, better than 20/20, so I know it isn't that. I almost wish it was that easy! Hang on--was it a regular optometrist? Because if so, you DON'T know that. That's the thing--children can have 20/20 vision and still have problems getting their eyes to track together, or many other possibilities. So was this a COVD optometrist? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aprilleigh Posted June 8, 2015 Share Posted June 8, 2015 Agreed, you really need to have an specialist look at him. A regular optometrist won't pick up the kinds of problems I had as a kid, or the kinds of problems I was concerned about with DS given my personal history. As far as your older son, it honestly sounds like he just finds math boring because it's not challenging him. I think it's fine to build confidence by occasionally selecting material slightly below his skill level, but math isn't a good place to do this if he's at all mathy (and the fact that he picks up the concepts readily enough even though he hates doing it seems a pretty clear indicator to me). He needs a program that challenges him. Whatever program you pick, you may have to make a deal with him that he can skip a lot of the busywork as soon as he's demonstrated that he really does understand the concept being covered. You might end up blowing through math levels at a fairly fast pace before you hit the point that is appropriate for him, but eventually he'll hit a point that works for him. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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