Please help me choose curriculum for my 7th grader with dyslexia

[WaterLily]

My daughter was in public school for 6^th grade last year but I think we are bringing her home again for school this year.  We are waiting for a neuropsych report but she was tested in 3^rd grade and we know she has dyslexia and low working memory.  Last year was kind of rough for her so while I want to try and get caught up on some things and certainly not lose ground, I also want to take it easy and focus on her emotional/mental health and general wellbeing, if that make sense.

 

Having said that, as expected, she is definitely behind in reading and everything language arts but closer to grade level in math. We love CLE math and she likes workbooks so I think we'll do that, but I'm concerned about her being able to do the 7th grade level even though she feels very strongly about doing "7th grade" math. :/  I know we should do the placement test.

 

We need to do some language arts placement tests too but here is what I'm considering....

 

-For reading maybe High Noon (2 I think) or maybe ABeCeDarian but I know very little about it.

-We love Rod & Staff English but I am thinking either 5th grade (which she’s not especially happy about) OR.... I was wondering if there are any opinions on the remedial Rod & Staff English?  That looks very appealing and I wonder if it would be a good way to solidify and get caught up.

-Sequential Spelling

-Maybe Jump In for writing.  We definitely need to do something for writing.

-I'm also thinking about Touch-type Read and Spell because I do want her to learn to type.

 

I feel like there is some overlap here so, thoughts?

 

I also want to do cursive (not sure what to use yet) and no idea what to do for science or history.  I think I want to keep the time we spend on those things to a minimum this year.

 

*I should add that she is a visual learner and does have some mild to moderate hearing loss.

[kbutton]

We use Sequential Spelling (no dyslexia here), and the nice thing about the patterns is that you can use that to visualize your spelling. 

 

Once she's proficient with typing, you might want her to type her spelling list--it helps embed the spelling patterns into muscle memory for typing. Don't start until she's fairly proficient though.

 

We like the ease of New American Cursive, but we would use it to reinforce phonics lessons. We basically practiced the letter formations with their instructions, but then we made our own worksheets (I had mixed luck with the software, but I think they've updated it). I mostly wrote out practice sheets by hand. Trace then copy. You might incorporate some of your basic spelling words into handwriting--portions of previous lists, not fresh ones. Fresh ones plus all that motor planning may be total frustration. Too much working memory and planning. You could pick some root words and then add in suffixes and prefixes.

[imagine.more]

Has she had dyslexia remediation? Like specific tutoring or Orton-Gillingham work?

 

I'd definitely do the math placement test just to be sure. I've made assumptions about my kids' math level in the past and really regretting not taking the placement test to be sure they were in the right level. If she needs to backtrack a bit just spin it as "Since you're starting back with a different curriculum than the public school we want to be sure you don't have any gaps in your math knowledge. If it's too easy you can absolutely do it quickly and move on to the level that's more challenging for you." 

 

My daughter has moderate-to-profound hearing loss so I can relate on the hearing stuff :) 

[Lecka]

I have used and like Abecedarian. I have not used or seen the "for older readers" that they have.

 

But if she is struggling more with reading I don't think I would recommend it.

 

If she has just not been taught well or hasn't had someone spend time with her going over things, or she got behind and then has things that are missing, then I think it would be good for that.

 

But if it is more that she has had help but struggles, I think I would look more at High Noon or Barton.

 

If you haven't looked at Barton, it is worth a look, too.

 

And, don't pay much attention to me about Abecedarian, if it looks like a good fit.

[Lecka]

I do love the Abecedrian error correction videos on YouTube! So helpful to me! I think it is linked from the error correction guide.

 

I am familiar with their placement test (with nonsense words) and the blending and segmenting supplement. I think they are worth looking at. If you see there are problems with just being able to blend, and the blending and segmenting guide does not seem helpful enough, I would say look at Barton for sure. It is known for being really good for that.

 

If it is more like -- maybe she has gaps, but she is getting things right, then you have more options.

 

Another thing about Abecedarian is you will need to work on fluency separately. Which is fine and very doable! You just will need to make sure you also do it. It is not hard, though. You can find a lot about fluency on the Internet, bc it is something that is common and doesn't take a dyslexia program for people to have heard of it.

 

I think it is more included in Barton and High Noon. It is something to check on, though.

 

There are a lot of patterns of strengths and weaknesses to dyslexia, any information you have about your daughter's will be helpful.

Edited August 8, 2016 by Lecka

[OneStepAtATime]

Hi!  My daughter started homeschooling for the first time in 6th grade.  You seem to be way ahead of the curve, having already homeschooled before.  I hope this year goes better for both of you than this past year.   I did have some suggestions and questions...

 

1.  Has she had any OG based reading remediation?  If she has not had significant work with an Orton-Gillingham based program I would start there for reading/writing/spelling.  As mentioned above, for reading look at Barton or High Noon.  If you want to include spelling then look at Barton (...which would actually replace all Language arts until after Level 4.  FWIW Barton levels are just levels not grade levels.  They are building blocks to help dyslexics read and spell and go beyond just basic reading remediation.).  A systematic writing program like IEW might be a good idea but only if she has already had a lot of work with an OG based system for reading/spelling.  Otherwise I would keep writing light while I worked with her on the other.  Whatever program you use, you might give her the Barton student screening to see if there are any sound discrimination issues.  It is free.  Just make sure you won't be interrupted, it is administered in a quiet area, and you have time to devote to it during a time where you are both rested and alert so the results will be more accurate.

 

https://bartonreading.com/

 

https://bartonreading.com/

 

 

2.  If CLE math is a good fit, please give the placement test.  If she tests into 6th grade math, great.  At least you know she was ready.  If not, don't stress.  If she only missed a few, then use 601 (which is entirely review of previous concepts), a dry erase board and some practice problems out of the TM to work through the areas she needs to solidify before moving into the rest of the 600s.  If she really isn't ready for the 600's then it is easy to accelerate the material if she is doing well in math.  

• If she tested solidly into the 500s then skip 501 altogether.  That saves math days.
• Do the new material from two lessons but the review material from the second lesson or select problems.  Skip the quizzes.  Skip lesson 17.  With this schedule you could complete a light unit in 8-9 days instead of 17.  She could finish all of the 500s by Christmas (as long as she didn't hit any snags) then move into the 600s.  
• If she is solid on the 500s she could skip 601 and do the accelerated schedule, but perhaps not at quite such a rapid pace.  Work it out on a calendar.  She should be able to complete both in the one year.

https://www.clp.org/store/by_grade/21

 

3.  While you are working out reading/spelling/writing if you want something for grammar separately you could look into Fix-it Grammar.  :15  a day 4 days a week, very easy to implement, ramps up slowly but picks up speed.  No grade levels, just books.  

 

http://iew.com/fix

 

4.  Touch Type Read and Spell would be fine for typing (and I use it with my own kids) and will help with spelling but it can be pretty boring.  Still, the lessons are fairly short so hopefully it won't seem too painful to her.  Don't expect mastery of typing to happen right away.  It may take months or sometimes years to get proficient at typing.  It is usually cheaper through Homeschool Buyer's Co-op than through TTRS.

 

https://www.homeschoolbuyersco-op.org/TouchTypeReadSpell/?c=1

 

On a side note, if you start her on a typing program, I cannot emphasize enough how critical it is for her to work on proper finger positioning, posture and key stroke accuracy with every.single.lesson.  NOT speed.  Speed will come naturally over time if she gets those other elements down where she no longer has to think about them.  That may take time but she will become proficient much more quickly if she keeps consistent and focused on proper finger positioning, posture and key stroke accuracy.  Be near her to help correct anything that is off.  If she mis-learns a key stroke or start position for her fingers it can be a bear to unlearn the wrong way and relearn the right way, and with a 6th grader you may get a lot of push back.

 

5.  For cursive, yes the New American Cursive might work well, as mentioned by a PP.  The Start Write 5 software pairs beautifully with this.  It allows you to type up trace work, copywork, etc. in that font, with as much support for the student as you deem necessary, including directional arrows for how to write the individual letters.  You can type up material in current subjects or using quotes from songs she likes or poems she is interested in or whatever floats your boat (and hers).

 

The version linked below is for older students just beginning cursive.  There are two versions, one includes scripture passages and the other is famous quotes and lessons on manners.

 

https://www.memoriapress.com/curriculum/penmanship/new-american-cursive-3-famous-quotes-lessons-on-manners/

 

This is the Start Write Software (there is a version 6 but I liked version 5 better)

https://www.memoriapress.com/curriculum/penmanship/new-american-cursive-startwrite-software/

 

Good luck!   :)

[Kat w]

The low working memory (and I'm sure the therapist , when you get to that point, will recommend too) we have *very* low wm, working on that is going to be key and as much of a focus as reading and math. They have to be able to remember what they learn.

 

Working memory games are good. Like, lay cards down have them look at them, then flip them all over. Ask DC, where's the 3 and have them turn over cards to find the 3. We started with only 2 cards and worked our way up from there .

 

My phones being slow. I can type some more out later if you like, the website OhE gave you to super duper has memory games there too.

There are also things to do cheap at home. I do both. Buy and cheap at home.

[Heathermomster]

DS came home in 7th grade, and we loved it!

 

We studied life science and Pandia Press Ancients 2 for history.  For writing, we used IEW level A materials.  For parts of speech and grammar, we used Daily Grams and Winston.  Math was MUS, and DS studied Latin root and basic vocab.  I don't remember lit, and we dropped spelling.  DS used audio books and typed everything.  We watched documentaries and DS learned outlining and mind mapping using Inspiration sw on the IPad. 

 

For cursive with my younger, we use StartWrite sw and New American Cursive.

Edited August 8, 2016 by Heathermomster

[WaterLily]

Ok, I'm back. :)  Thanks so much for the input!  My daughter hasn't had extensive Orton Gillingham remediation, unfortunately.  She had an IEP in her public school last year and was getting remediation and "intervention" but I don't think any of it was dyslexia specific.

 

She's doing well though and making progress.  We have done some placement testing and she did pass the Barton screening as well as the placement test for High Noon Reading Level 1.  The High Noon placement test says I should test her for level 2 but where do I find that test?  The level 1 placement test is INSIDE the level 1 book!  I'm just not sure if I should get her the level 2 or get some of the comprehension and fluency materials from High Noon instead.... or maybe something entirely different for reading?  I also had her read the passages on the High Noon website for determining reading level. She could read all 5 sections well (only missed 2 words) but it was a bit choppy at times and she still misses or swaps out small words (of/on, for/from, etc) on occasion.  She could summarize fairly well but had a little trouble with section 5.  She still likes to pick out details while trying to summarize.  Does any of this help as far as advising for a reading program?

 

We are going to go ahead and try Rod & Staff Remedial English worksheets and/or Fix-It Grammar (I bought both) and we'll give Jump In a go for writing.  If it doesn't work we'll try something else.  (And like I said, we'll probably throw in Sequential Spelling too.)  So I just need to figure out the reading.

 

Her math placement test did NOT go well.  I had her do CLE level 600 and she knew very little. :/  Part of it might be that she's been out of school for a couple months so I'm hoping that she'll start remembering once we actually get started.  I did, however, convince her start with level 600 and told her, as suggested, that we can move up to 700 if it's too easy. :)

 

And I should have her report from the neuropsych by the end of the week!

Edited August 11, 2016 by WaterLily

[suzziesnowflake]

We used Verticy by Calvert for 7th grade. We used the writing, grammar, and reading from them. It was an excellent program. You have to do a free test and they will place your child. I can not say enough about the english/grammar. It was easy to follow for me and him. They also are there for you if your child gets stuck on a concept.