How to Think Outside the Box for Handwriting Difficulty

I have been trying hard to get Joey answering questions about what he is reading.  He is a super fast reader.  Trouble then is his comprehension skills...he doesn't remember anything.

Another major issue is his handwriting.  He knows how to form letters, but his brain doesn't always allow his hand to write as quickly as it needs to.  He struggles getting his hand to do what we wants.  He was diagnosed with a visual perception delay a few years ago.  He has made some progress, but it's slow going.  So I needed to come up with a way to have him type up answers to questions that I prepare about his work.

Now that he is in 6th grade, I have been trying to set a new round of goals for him:

• Read more chapter books
• Broaden his reading/learning topics
• Read to understand

So this year, I decided I would like to just randomly select a non-fiction book off the shelf at the library for him to read and answer questions about.  Maybe some random subjects in all areas, including geography, science and technology.

I have started doing this with books for our World Geography country each month, as well as our historical study for Adventure Club.  I select books that will not be overwhelming for him to read, and then I basically write up a questions for each chapter of the book.  

Initially I started typing worksheets with questions, and then he would fill them out as he completed each page of his reading.  I helped him by providing the page number he would find each question.  But then we came back to that frustrating handwriting issue.   He could answer the questions, but the handwriting killing the progress we were starting to make in my "Read to Learn" campaign.

So one weekend, my brain was in overdrive trying to figure out how to handle the handwriting issue.  I couldn't trust Joey to open and save the files needed in his Word processor.  Eventually he would get it, but then I would have to be on his computer to check his work until he learned how to email me files.  

Out of the blue, my brain knew what to do....lol....yeah a light bulb went off!!

We have started using Google Docs to create a form of questions for him.  Google Docs is a great program.  I use it to create sign up forms for field trips.  I can keep track of how many people are attending better this way.  But could I use this program for what I needed to do with Joey?

My first step was creating an email for Joey to use for schoolwork only.  He has been strictly warned about attempting to use this email address for anything other than communicating with me.  So far he has listened well, and we have had no issues.  

That was the easy step, next I actually pre-read his material. Then I start creating questions.  I try to limit the amount that I ask off of each page, depending on the subject.  I also limit each unit assigned daily to a specific number of chapters or to a set number of pages.

When I am ready to start creating questions, I select "Create" a new "Form" in Google docs.  I actually have my files split under each child, because I plan on using this more with Brayden also.

After filling in the title I choose for that set of questions, and I usually keep it simple...such as the one shown, I start adding my questions.

I do this by selecting 'Add Item' in the Upper Left hand corner of the screen.  From there you can choose text, paragraph text, multiple choice, checkboxes, etc.  I generally choose 'paragraph text', since Joey can see his answer, no matter how long it is.

I actually create the questions most time while I am reading.  I just keep entering until I am done.  I select duplicate to continue adding questions.  And to help him learn to search for the answer, I also include the page number where the answer is located to help him stay in the right area of the answer so that he does not get totally frustrated.

I also select a neat background for him.  Such as the one below.  There are over 100 different backgrounds, so it just depends on the topic.  But I am also careful to not make it too wild to cause issues with his eyes.

Once it is saved, I email the form to his email for schoolwork.  I also get a copy sent to my email.

I then include a reminder to visit his email and complete any emailed assignments on his daily assignment sheet.  We have done his spelling list this way now for a couple weeks.  It's great practice for him to type it.

I can check his progress on assignments by just logging into my Google Docs account and simply click on the assigned work.  A spreadsheet of my questions and his answers comes up.  I simply check his work and print it if I need to or save the file under his work tab.

We are still "tweeking" the system.  But so far this system has been working for him.  I am very grateful that this program is helping Joey to work independently.  Who knew?!?!  

And the best part....the total cost.....FREE!!!!

Yes, it does give me extra work.  I do pre-read the books, but really....this has totally been to my benefit since I can lead discussions with him about whatever topic or person he is reading about.  I can also kick some butt playing "Are you smarter than a 5th grader?" !!!  

I really recommend trying this tool in your school to help out with comprehension delays.

Be sure to drop by the TOS Crew Blog Cruise and see How other Crew Members do things at their homeschools......

A day in our lives.....

This is probably not going to be a pretty post to write or even think about.  Our house is total chaos in the morning.  Our kids are early risers, and there are days that we just do not want to get up early.  Most of the time Joe and I are up late working.  After 10 pm is usually the quietest time in our house.   It is not uncommon for me to still be working at 2 am, typing blog posts or organizing notes on my laptop.  Joe, especially recently, has been either staying up most of the night working or he goes to bed for a short time and then wakes up at midnight to do whatever maintenance needs to be performed for work.

Needless to say, mornings drag.  I also try to cram a workout in during the early morning hours.  I try to get up around 5:30 am to jog.  Some days are more successful than others...lol.  But usually Joey has us up before 5:30.  An un-medicated Joey is very loud, rude, hyper and unable to control emotions or actions.  I have be awaken to him sneaking food out of the kitchen that he knows he should not be eating, either because of food allergies or because he knows that candy is not eaten that early.  He has stood directly over me and screamed in my face.  Or he will run up and down the hallway beating on the wall and screaming.

So first thing in our house is to get his meds in him..because it's going to take an hour for a more mellow Joey to appear.  Usually by then Lydia is up and so is Brayden.  So generally 3 out of 4 are up before 6 am.  That makes for a very long day.  We get breakfast around.  That usually ranges anything from cereal, yogurt and toast or pancakes.  Usually a couple days a week, I cook us all the same breakfast.  Other days we put out a buffet and let each one choose from a couple options.

After everyone has eaten, we encourage them to change for the day.  And then we given them some quiet time while I pack workboxes.  The boys try to sneak in video game time during that hour.  But we have had to get pretty strict about that.  We allow PBS TV during that time.  I cannot stand to let them watch commericalized TV in the am .

We try to start school by 9 am.  I mix it up.  Some days we start with group projects, and other days we do individual workboxes first and group projects after lunch.

We have lunch around noon.  And they get free play time until 1 pm.  We try to finish the rest of our work then between 1 and 3.  Depending on appointments that day, though we may take the morning off and work in the afternoon and into the evening after dinner.  It is not uncommon for us to be doing science in the evening after dinner.

Each minute of our day is a challenge and I never know what to expect.  Some days I am able to actually plan out and have everything run smoothly.  But those days are very few.  We experience extreme distraction due to the ADD and surprise errands that can be thrown our way.   There's tears and screaming (and that's from me and the kids).  Most days I have to get a feel for attention and attitudes and then go from there.  Lydia sometimes works on her phonics at 7 am during breakfast, because she seems to be alert and ready for listening at that time.

We pretty much take each day one minute at a time.  I am working at making a daily list of what we need to accomplish each day.  I type it out on Saturday and include our meal plan and any appointments or sports activities that the kids may have.  I can then check off on my paper throughout the week.  So far it has helped me the last couple weeks, so I am going to keep doing it.  It only takes a few extra minutes to do it, so whatever makes it easier for me...I'm all for it!

How do your days go?

Setting a homeschool budget?????

Since I had kids that attended public school, I have seen how tight their budgets are getting. They are constantly running some sort of fundraiser for projects that include textbooks to playground equipment.  I have often wondered if I could get away with holding a fundraiser for our homeschool.  I mean we have a name.....and we need supplies for our kids too.  But because we have chosen to not follow the "norm", we sort of have to come up with more creative ways to get what we need.

Before you can set a budget of expenses, you need to look at two things.  First what is your family budget and also how do you want to teach your children.  There are so many styles of homeschooling.  Are you going to use box curriculum, textbooks and supplement with activities, unit study, lapbooks, Charlotte Mason, unschooler, etc.  We do a combination.  I use lapbook/unit studies along with a touch of Charlotte Mason style.  We do use some textbook type materials, but usually the kids do not have the textbook...I do. 

Here's some of the ways that I try and stretch our budget to get the most for the kids:

I belong to the Staples Rewards program, and watch for their sales.  I have gotten printer paper from them for almost nothing.  I recycle our ink cartridges there also, and buy their remanufactured ones to help out in cost saving.  I use my reward bucks to buy more supplies.

I am addicted to reading what others are using in their homes...yes...my name is Renita and I am a Blog Addict.  So I see what is working for other families and I ask other parents in our homeschool group what is working for them.  Then I start shopping.......I piece a lot together by using Amazon Marketplace, Ebay and even Barnes and Noble.  Barnes and Noble even offers an Educator's Discount to homeschoolers!!  All you need to do is bring in the letter of dismissal from your school district and fill out their form.  That 20% off has come in handy many times!

I have even went to Goodwill and a local used book store and scored tons of great buys...included a 1st grade Saxon Math set, Science textbook, some A Beka titles, and 10 like new Geoboards.  The most I paid was $6.00 for the Saxon Math.  I watch for upper grade items, even though we aren't there yet...doesn't mean we won't be soon.  Seriously, most schools use their textbooks for several years.  And the way to solve most equations does not change often, so you can be safe with a textbook that is a few years old. 

I also use the library.....lots and lots of library books.  I am trying to switch our style to a more laid back Charlotte Mason, hand-on, almost unschooling approach.  So we check out a lot of books.  They could be on weather, animals, seasons, etc.  We are very fortunate to have a wonderful library at our access that has almost everything we have ever looked for.  If it doesn't, I usually am able to find a great substitute to use.

If I do buy a textbook (like for our history this year we are using Story of the World), I try to have the children share until we know if we need more than one.  If the book is reproducible, then I do it!  We have a printer that has $5.00 black ink cartridges and I buy paper on sale at Staples. 

Another great shopping source is a homeschool Curriculum Fair.  I scored some awesome buys at ours this year, and am now saving for the upcoming one this spring. 

There is the little thought of things that you use to homeschool.  How many of us use Netflix?  Or our cable to watch Science and History programs?  I have that figured into our budget but not under homeschool because we use it for family movies too.  What about your internet?  I do not need to figure the internet cost under homeschooling completely, because the hubby works from home.  And since he MUST have high speed internet to work remotely, I figure we just reap the benefit of that.  But I do figure the cost of the kids internet subscriptions into homeschooling.  We are cancelling our Click N Read Phonics because Lydia has so many that she is using right now....we don't need this one.  But both girls are using ABCmouse.  I call the subscriptions a forgotten expense, that I always forget about.

I budget a set amount to use for field trips and projects.  We have American Girl Club and LEGO Club, and there is always an extra project with these that we choose to do.  I use that amount set aside to cover these items. 

It's inevitable though, no matter how many markers and crayons we have there are supplies we run out of.  (I start stocking up in July when Staples and all the area stores start their Back to school Sales....We have hundreds of crayons and markers.  Cost .10 to 1.00 a pack at the time, but now will cost anywhere from 1.00 to 4.00 a box.)  Got Construction paper packs at Staples for $3.00, they are normally $10.00.  Have 9 of those put away right now. 

We spend more at times than others.  I try to not go wild.  But we try to stick as close to our spending limit as we can.  Lately we have exceeded it a few times (but those awesome Geography/History books I found are sooooMentos experiment isn't a normal purchase for us.)

There are thousands of Free resources you can find for homeschoolers out there.  Some of our favorites are:

Homeschool Freebies

Homeschool Share

Currclick--lots of freebies on here....plus most items are reasonably priced

School Express -- has a weekly free unit that you can download (if you subscribe to their newsletter. But I have had a subscription before and loved using this program!!)

Enchanted Learning -- they have some sheets you can print for free, but I admit to having the paid membership because we use this program quite often.

So we do have a loose budget set for our homeschool materials, outings and supplies.  It would be nice if we could take advantage of some of the programs most schools get to such as Campbell Soup Labels and Box Tops for Education.  After all, we do not get the funding from the government that the school automatically get for each of our children.  I admit I do not always make the most frugal decisions, but I love a good deal and always on the lookout for one. 

How do you decide your budget?