Barton - Lower IQ

[lilmissc74]

My son is 15, with an IQ 70, ADHD, sensory issues, dyspraxia and aspergers.  I started home schooling last fall with Barton.  The first 3 levels went quick.  We worked through Barton Level 4 over 8 months reviewing each lesson app. 4 times.  He's good on the reading, but his spelling isn't consistently at 95%.  I'm considering moving forward since his reading is good, but I know the book says not to move forward until reading and spelling are at 95%.  I also know the system is recommended for kids with IQ's above 70, so he's right at the cut off.  I know spelling will always be a challenge for him and wonder if we are near a limit to what he can consistently do.  I hate to stop though because his reading has really moved forward although slow.  Thoughts??

 

[OneStepAtATime]

I say move forward into Level 5.  Seriously.  And maybe run through parts of Level 4 again later if he trips up on anything.  If the spelling is the only thing holding him back, but he is actually retaining some of it, I don't see any reason to not go ahead and move forward.  

 

How is he at using his spell checker?  DD was resistant at first but now she realizes it is just one tool of many in her arsenal and it is not "cheating" or a "waste of time" to use one.

 

FWIW, my dad was terrible at spelling all of his life.  It didn't really slow him down much.  He just got used to asking for help with spelling or looking up words and with the computer he was able to just let it help him.

 

Does your son type?  

[MyLittleBears]

My ds still forgets to apply his rules to spelling despite having the spell checker and the spelling rules pages right in front of him. He didn't pass the spelling portion of the post test twice. We moved on but we do review each week. I give him a list of words to spell that use the rules for level 4. We keep a note pad on the desk and I tell him he will get a tally mark everytime he checks his rules pages or uses the spell checker when he is not sure of something. Each tally mark is worth 10 cents and they add up quite quickly. Bribery works wonders for motivation.  :D

[VinNY]

I used Recipe for Reading (an O-G manual) and moved ahead with the reading. We use Apple and Pears to help remediate her spelling. 

 

[imagine.more]

I'm using Barton with a daughter who has ID, dyslexia, and hearing impairment (an IQ of 69 so very similar to your sons). She's halfway through Level 5 and it's going well. It's slow, each level takes almost twice as long as it does for other non-ID students, but that's okay because she';s making real progress after making no progress between 1st and 5th grades. 

 

I say lower the % spelling accuracy required to move on to 85 or 90%. And/or help him out by separating out syllables as you say them. Like "MAG - NET" instead of pronouncing it "magnet". As long as his reading is 95% or better then I think it's okay if the spelling lags a bit. 

 

Also, as you move on to Level 5 just buy some of those Spelling Success card games or make some games and keep practicing the previous skills as a fun review before/after the regular lesson. This way he doesn't get discouraged by holding him back but you give him the review he needs, swim? 

[OneStepAtATime]

Agree with imagine.moore, if you don't have them already and can afford them (I save up because I find them very worthwhile), get the Spelling Success card games.  They can be great for quick review of previous levels or reinforcing or showing gaps in current levels.  

[lilmissc74]

Thanks everyone!  I think I will continue on to Level 5.  It's so nice to see him moving forward.  I plan on starting him on typing soon.  There's so much to work on with him and only so much time..... I'm hoping he can work on typing independently as everything else we do is one on one side by side.  

[OneStepAtATime]

Thanks everyone!  I think I will continue on to Level 5.  It's so nice to see him moving forward.  I plan on starting him on typing soon.  There's so much to work on with him and only so much time..... I'm hoping he can work on typing independently as everything else we do is one on one side by side.  

With regards to typing, you might consider looking into Touch Type Read Spell since it ties in pretty well with Barton.  It does not test reading and spelling it just reinforces the lessons of OG based systems.  Boring but works well.  

 

I must strongly encourage you to work near him while he is learning, though.  He needs to put his fingers on the correct keys every.single.time and his posture needs to be good and he probably should have a designated place and computer to practice on so the key layout/feel as well as height of the keyboard are consistent until typing becomes more automatic.  

 

Just to warn you, it will almost certainly take significant time and effort for the muscle memory and brain connections to develop.  If he learns keys incorrectly it may take a massive amount of time and effort to unlearn and then relearn those keys.  Don't go down that road.  Make certain he is putting his fingers on the correct keys every time.  With TTRS the lessons are very short.  Just commit to sitting with him for at least the first two levels to make sure his fingers are on the right keys.  

 

Honestly, finger accuracy is waaaaaaay more important than speed at the beginning.  Speed will eventually come once finger accuracy becomes automatic.  That may take months or years, though.  If you start out sitting with him, eventually he can probably continue the lessons mostly on his own but I absolutely wouldn't start out that way.  I also would have him do lessons at least 4 times a week.  It won't feel natural and it won't be easy at first.  He may get discouraged and frustrated.  The short lessons done daily with accurate finger placement will speed up his chances of moving past that stage and actually getting more automatic with the typing.

 

:grouphug: