Your Comments and Questions

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I have been so encouraged and blessed by being able to talk to other homeschoolers who are on the same quest to provide a quality, moral education for their children.  Thank-you for your comments and questions.  Please keep them coming!  In the meantime, I thought others might be able to benefit from our dialogue as well. 

Below is a sampling of some of your comments and questions.

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Dear Michelle,

Thank-you for your newsletter. I am homeschooling my 12 yr.old son and using the Bob Jones materials.  He has special needs due to a vision disability and math has been a severe struggle. Would "Rays Arithmetic" be a source that could help in this case? His reading is  inconsistent also. I have tried several courses and now I'm seeing that the Bob Jones reading goes too fast. We use the DVD course but it is very hard when he's asked to read along at an accelerated pace. What would your advice be? He is loosing interest is this type of learning and I'm looking for more hands on learning materials. I want him to love to learn and to read. His favorite subject is Bible.....he can study it all day and not loose interest. Writing on each person, hearing the stories, and memorizing the books of the Bible are what keeps him interested. I wish I could just incorporate into a total curriculum.

Thank-you for your time and any advice will be appreciated.

Jan

 

Hi, Jan.

How encouraging that your son is enjoying his Bible studies.  That is the VERY MOST important subject for all of us, anyway.  Make sure you keep that in mind so that you don't become discouraged.

This would be my advice:

Math - I'm not sure Ray's arithmetic would be a good source because it actually moves at a faster pace than the Bob Jones...  Whenever my boys struggle with something, I try going back to something that they are able to do well, so that they can build their confidence back up, and then begin moving forward again.  Have you tried Saxon Math?!?  They include a lot of repetition in their lessons which makes them easier to keep up with.  I wouldn't use a DVD or anything like that - just get the teacher's manual and work individually with your son.  You will be able to tell when he needs more practice with a subject and when he's ready to move on better than a DVD will.  :)

Reading - Again, I would dump the DVD and just work with your son on his reading.  Go back to the level of books that he can read well and let him read some of them for awhile.  Let him pick some books out at the library and read things that he's interested in - even if the level seems way too easy to you.  If you want him to love reading (what mother wouldn't) you need to let him enjoy reading a bit more and not make it such a chore for him.  Believe me, I had to learn that one the hard way as well.

It's important to remember that people read at different paces - even adults.  I don't think it's fair to expect a child to read along with a DVD because they might never be a fast reader.  My husband loves to read and he reads quite often - but he reads about 4-5 times slower than I do.  We just have different styles.  On the other hand, I have a tendency to fly through books and don't remember as much detail as my husband does when I'm done... So there are pros and cons to both styles.

Kids are the same way.  Your son might never read FAST - but that really doesn't matter as long as he reads WELL and enjoys it.

You can still try to use the Readers with the Bob Jones curriculum if you and your son are enjoying them.  Just let your son read them on his own and at his own pace.  And remember to throw some rewards in there - when your son completes a book, when he is able to answer questions about it, when he keeps trying and doesn't give up - whatever he needs to work on, make it a goal and track it.  And give him lots of praise in the areas in which he is doing well - like Bible study.

And last but not least, be sure to pray for wisdom.  If you remember to rely on God during these confusing times, He will certainly make sure that your efforts with your son will be successful.  Keep up the good work and let me know if I can be of any further assistance!  :)

Michelle

 

Dear Michelle,

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Dear Michelle,

Thank you for this web site. I can't wait to tell others about it. As a home school mom of 16 years I know how important supportive information is to the journey of teaching our children in the comfort and safety of our home.

Blessings,

Linda

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Dear Michelle,

Thank-you for the information you provide about boys.  I grew up in a family with all girls.  Now, I have 3 boys and I can't seem to relate to them.  Your website has given me hope that I can homeschool them and learn to understand them as well.  You have really encouraged me!

Lucy

Dear Lucy,

Thank-you SO MUCH for letting me know about your situation.  I'm very glad you're finding help with my website.  I was really in your shoes a few years ago myself - having to stumble through things trial and error.  I grew up with 2 sisters and one brother who I thought for sure must be hyperactive or something because he was so different than us girls were... but actually he was just being a boy.  :)

Would you like me to sign you up for my free newsletter so you can stay informed about stuff on the website?

If you have questions as you're going through the homeschooling process, be sure to write back.  I'd be happy to help out with advice - and there are probably other people who are struggling with the same issues that you are...

Take care and have a great day!

Michelle

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Dear Michelle,

We have started with the apple sample lessons in your Learn & Grow Preschool Curriculum and my daughter enjoys them a lot. I want to continue as quickly as possible!

Elisabeth

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Dear Michelle,

I LOVE your website. Thank-you or all the tips! My oldest has been really struggling and I am excited to try a few of your suggestions with him!

Heidi

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Dear Michelle,

Thank you for your site! I have almost completely read it from cover to cover. I have two boys 3 & 6 and this is our first year of homeschooling - we are doing Kindergarten. It is going well - but I really appreciate your honesty because some of the things you have shared I totally understand. I look forward to future ezines. Thanks again for all your wisdom - I appreciate it!

Melissa

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Dear Michelle,

Thanks for your ministry.

Fred

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Dear Michelle,

Your boys are adorable. Are they twins? If not, they look like they are! I have twin boys that just turned three and we are just starting the homeschooling adventure. I signed up for your newsletter...I am excited to hear your tips.

Rachel

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Dear Michelle,

THANK YOU!!!!!!  This is so nice of you. I really appreciate it! I have noticed, that everybody who homeschools, is really helpful and never hesitates to jump in and do whatever is needed. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Elisabeth

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Dear Michelle,

I've been using Saxon Math with my first grade son. There is so much DRILL in the book done in plain, boring lists. Is there a place on the web with worksheets that drill the facts in a fun way (mazes, color coding, etc)? We've made things more fun by tossing bean bags for the correct answer, running around every fourth problem, etc but he is able to sit longer and likes to solve puzzles. Any suggestions? I've googled it and keep finding more fact sheets instead of fun sheets. Thank you for your time and advice.

Christine

Dear Christine,

I totally agree that Math can be boring for the kids - especially Saxon math. We started out using Saxon math and found the worksheets to be very unstimulating for the kids. I run the risk of stepping on toes when I say that because Saxon is probably the most popular math curriculum for homeschoolers... but my sons didn't enjoy it. They enjoyed the hands-on part of the instruction with the pattern blocks and that type of thing - but when it came to doing the worksheets they didn't enjoy it at all.

We actually switched to Bob Jones math - mainly because the worksheets are full color and appear more interesting to highly visual learners (like most boys). They also try to go back and forth between the mundane adding and subtracting of math to the more exciting concepts such as measuring, temperature, 3D shapes, money, etc. So it isn't as monotonous for the boys, either.

I've also found that if you can show boys WHY what they're learning is relevant, they'll be more interested in it as well. Take his math lessons and try to relate them to the real world... Let him figure out how much money you'll have left over if you buy his favorite cereal, let him count the carts at the grocery store, let him help his dad with the measuring while they're working on a woodworking project, etc.

And as for all that drill in the Saxon math, once your son has a concept down I wouldn't make him do the repetitive problems over and over. Occasionally so that he can continue to remember how to do that kind of work, but not so much that it kills his love of learning. You are the best one to decide when he needs those repetitious drills and when it's alright for him to skip them.

It's good that you're doing the bean bags and the running with your son during math. I would also check out rewarding him after completing his math with doing fun math games on the computer. My sons loved the Reader Rabbit software (by Learning Company) and the Jumpstart Learning CDs (by Knowledge Adventure). I also found a website that has compiled a list of ideas for making math fun for your children: Fun Math Ideas . And I found lots of websites with free mazes such as this one: Mazes

Hopefully this helps.
Michelle

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Dear Michelle,

I am planning to homeschool my 2 boys next year. They are both very kinesthetic learners. What curriculums would you recommend for teaching reading and math? One will be kindergarten and the other 2nd grade.

Thanks for your great site!

Lisa

Dear Lisa,

Thank-you for your kind comments about my website!

I think that most boys are kinesthetic learners, so they all do very well with lots of hands-on learning. There are lots of wonderful options out there to use for reading and math. We really enjoyed the Bob Jones materials (www.bjup.com). They are colorful and therefore look interesting to children. They also have lots of ideas for projects that you can do with your sons.

If you are more interested in taking a Classical Approach with them, we have also used quite a few of the Veritas Press materials successfully (www.veritaspress.com).

I would be sure to get whatever curriculum you decide to use very soon - and go through it this summer to get organized. You will want to plan on doing as many of the recommended hands-on projects with your sons as possible. Even consider adding in a unit study or extra science including experiments because kinesthetic learners love these types of activities.

Also, try to be patient with your sons while you are doing school with them. Kinesthetic learners often wiggle, tap their feet and move their legs while they are sitting. Be flexible with where they are doing their studies - let them move from the floor to the couch to the table - even getting up and stretching or doing something physical between math problems so help them concentrate more fully.

I hope this helps! Have a wonderful time working with your boys!!!

Michelle Caskey

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Dear Michelle,

I chanced across your site while looking for tips to help my 6-year-old son improve his motor skills. He attends occupational and speech therapy but I wanted a means of helping him in a fun way which did not smell too strongly of "therapy". The pointers on your site are very comprehensive and totally sensible, although I'm not into homeschooling.

Thanks,

Swee Ee
Switzerland

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Dear Michelle,

I'm having a really hard time with my 3 and a half year old boy. We just moved from Arizona to Joplin, Missouri - are thrilled to be in the midwest with grass and seasons, but I'm petrified of spiders and there are tons of bugs in the woods where we live on an acre that has a little post-rainfall "stram" running through it.

I can't manage to "let go" enough to let him (my 3.5 year old) just wander around because I'm afraid of spiders biting him, ticks getting on him, chiggers, etc etc. Plus, I have a one year old boy as well, who I don't know what to "do" with while I supervise or try to accompany my toddler. It's extremely difficult.

My husband works outside of the home all day and I don't yet know my neighbors well enough to ask them for help (they're mostly older people - I'm 40). I'm feeling like a failure and hoping for some suggestions, advice, wisdom, whatever you can share with me.

Thanks,

Deborah
Joplin, Missouri

Dear Deborah,

I can totally empathize with your situation - you're at a hard stage of parenting with a 3 1/2 year old and a 1 year old. My boys are 16 months apart, so I can feel your pain. Know that it DOES get better as your boys get older!

In the meantime, you have several questions in your email and I don't want to miss anything, so I'm going to answer them one by one.

Just moved: It's so hard to meet new people, especially when you have young children who keep you busy all of the time. I have several bits of advice for this situation:

1. Try going to some parks with playground equipment during the day. This will allow you to get out and meet other moms in your area, as well as to put your boys in an environment which is safe.

2. Check out this website: http://tristates.com/momsclub/ There is a Mom's Club in your area. It looks great, I would definitely consider contacting them or trying to attend one of their events for some support. Or see if there is a MOPS organization in your area.

Bugs and Spiders: We live on a couple of acres next to a dairy farm. We don't have a huge bug problem most days; but, when we do, I pull out the Deep Woods OFF. I hate bugs as well, so I'd rather spray us down than end up with a bunch of bug bites. And it says right on the bottle that it protects against ticks and chiggers!

You may want to have your son wear long pants when he's wandering through the woods. Maybe that would put your mind more at ease. And be sure to brush his clothes off before he enters your house. I don't blame you for being kinda creeped out by all of the spiders and snakes. I would check with your pediatrician to see if they have any advice for you in your area.

You may also want to take your boys to an indoor playground, such as one at McDonalds or Burger King to give yourself a break from bug watching some days. :)

What to do with your 1-year-old while working with your 3-year-old: This can be a hard one as well, but can be worked out. Here are a few options:

1. If your son is small enough to fit in a backpack, then I would get one and put him in it. Carry him around on your back while you wander with your 3-year-old.

2. While doing inside activities, put your son in his highchair with some toys, and keep him in the room with you and your older son. Try tying some toys onto his highchair tray so that you aren't having to retrieve them constantly.

3. Try doing some fun activities with your 3-year-old while your 1-year-old is napping. You can even go outside during this time if you turn on a baby monitor so that you know when he wakes up.

4. You can also try including your one-year-old in your activities with your older son. Tape a large piece of paper onto a child-sized table and give him those chubby crayons to scribble with. Give him a kleenex or a piece of tissue paper and just let him rip it to smithereens. Give him some whipped cream and let him smear it all over his highchair tray. These are all activities which will keep him occupied but are also fairly easy to clean up. P.S. If you do the whipped cream activity with him, strip him down to just a diaper for easier clean-up.

I have a page on my website with some fun activities you can try out with your son(s):

Free Preschool Ideas

If you find yourself enjoying these activities with them and want to try out my full-fledged preschool curriculum, you can get more information about that on this page:

Homeschool Preschool Curriculum

Try out the sample lesson to see if these are activities that you might enjoy doing together.

I hope these suggestions will help. PLEASE WRITE BACK if you have more questions or need any further advice. Being a parent is hard work and us moms need all of the support from each other that we can get!

Take care and God bless you!

Michelle