Why I Use Formatted Description Writing Prompts
For older students with language-based learning issues, writing can be a nearly impossible task. I frequently hear from homeschool parents that teaching and evaluating writing is one of the biggest challenges in homeschooling. When it comes to teaching a kid with a learning disability to do writing, parents often don’t even know where to start. […]
Grade 3 Reading Level Chapter Books for Older Students
As veteran homeschool mom, I am always seeking out “living books” that spark a love of literature. As a learning specialist, I am always searching for books that will nurture comprehension skills for both fiction and nonfiction. I teach many students with dyslexia, autism, and kids with other reading difficulties. So, I try to keep […]
Six Syllable Types and How to Begin Teaching Syllable Division
Teaching systematic, multisensory phonics gets kids started in reading decoding and spelling. But as your student makes progress gaining fluency, many homeschool moms ask, “What next? How do I take my kids from sounding out one-syllable words to reading bigger words with syllable division?” The answer is to teach syllable types and rules next. Many […]
What is the difference between vision therapy and visual processing cognitive training?
If you have a child who struggles in reading due to dyslexia or other reading disability, you may be wondering what you can do to make the learning to read process easier for your kiddo. One of the first options that many parents consider is tutoring or extra help for their child. Typical tutoring takes […]
Great Chapter Books for Older Struggling Readers – Grade 2 Reading Level
I am in the process of updating my lit lists for homeschools of kids with special needs. Since I mainly teach older students with dyslexia, autism, or those who struggle with reading, I am always on the lookout for books that fit one of the many language arts goals in the individual learning plans for […]
Why Teaching Touch Math Points Is Important for Kids Who Struggle in Math
Scene #1: A 12-year-old who can read is still practicing addition and subtraction with regrouping, has been introduced to multiplication but can’t seem to memorize basic facts. Scene #2: A 10-year-old has practiced skip counting and memorized the x1, x2, x10, and x5 multiplication facts but can’t hold on to the three times facts or […]
Homeschool Book List for Struggling Readers – Beginning Levels
I am in the process of updating my lit lists for different reading levels. Since I mainly teach older students with dyslexia, autism, or those who struggle with reading, I am always on the lookout for books that fit one of the many language arts goals for my students. I love using picture books with […]
50 Fun Ways to Practice Spelling Words!
This blog article is going to be a bit different because the main part will be a bulleted list of fun ways to practice spelling words. You can just take the list and use the ideas immediately! However, before I launch into the list, I want to be sure you know WHY these ideas make […]
How to Nurture Creativity in Your Homeschool
If you’ve ever heard Sir Ken Robinson’s TED Talk, you are likely aware that young children are naturally creative, and that formal schooling can squash creativity. That leads me to wonder: What is creativity? Is it possible to actually nurture creativity as children develop? And is it possible to teach children academics without squashing creativity? […]
3 Powerful Math Skills at the Heart of Most Math Struggles
When teaching arithmetic and higher math skills, this is often when it becomes apparent that a child has math struggles with these 3 fundamental math skills.