Homeschool post

[mommydama]

I think I'm finally completely sold on the idea of intensive phonics. I do not like the way Mari is learning sight words in Calvert right now. It makes it easier for her to read beginning readers I suppose, but she is constantly guessing words based on the first letter and reversing letters when she writes. She isn't decoding as much as I'd like, though I am supplementing with Spalding phonics as much as I can. Both Zoe and Luci are learing more phonics from writing (coming to me and saying "how do you write...?" and then sounding it out with me) then anywhere else. I think the writing to spell and read concept really seems to fit with how they are all learning anyway. So...I'm pretty definate about trying the Spell to Write and Read program next year. It is a hefty investment, but I just keep reminding myself that it is the only thing we need for the first three or four years for phonics/grammar/spelling. And I've seen people sell the program on the yahoo group really quickly, so I think if we hated it I could get some of my money back.

I received the Children's Bible Reader I ordered for the girls today. I'm so excited about this thing. A children's story bible that tells the stories from an Orthodox perspective. I can't even express how wonderful that is. Not only for the girls...but for me too!

I want to get started on all this stuff RIGHT NOW! I'm sooooo not good at waiting.

Comments

[kizmet-42.livejournal.com]

I have a cover-less and battered version of Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons that I would be happy to send to you for shipping. It's all phonics, all the time, until they introduce "was" (I think, it's been a while.)

I think you're very wise. I was reading the blog Language Log recently where they talked about teaching reading is best done as an integrated process that includes writing/penmanship.

[mommydama.livejournal.com]

I just looked up the Language Log blog, followed a few links, and was horrified to discover that teaching language from an intensive phonics perspective is considered "fundamentalist" and "conservative". How asinine is that? Here I thought I was on the cutting edge of research by choosing an intensive phonics program, since whole language programs have been by and large shown to be complete and utter failures...in other words, I thought I was on the "liberal" side of things, you know, the side the vast majority of the populace thinks of as the "educated" side? Instead I find that I am a "crazy conservative" about this too.

I can't win. No matter how hard I try to be educated and knowledgeable and make the best decisions I can based on the best research I can find...I end up a conservative anyway!!

:P

[kizmet-42.livejournal.com]

You say that like it's a bad thing.

[mommydama.livejournal.com]

Being kind of facetious.

I have several really, really close friends who fall rather far to the liberal/left side of most things that can be politicized, and I try hard to understand their points of veiw. I usually think of myself as a moderate about politics, but more and more I'm discovering that things I didn't even know were politicized or polarized like that, I will fall far to the "conservative" or "right" side in my opinions. I'm not coming to those conclusions based on any politic rhetoric either...but entirely on the outside of the politcs of whatever it is. And I'm just always a little shocked by how conservative I am when I land, while actually trying to be moderate. Heh.

[mommydama.livejournal.com]

I also truly do think it is asinine that something like how we teach our children to read can be politicized like that. It seems utterly ridiculous. How we teach our children anything should be based on our worldview and legitimate research into how children learn and have nothing WHATSOEVER to do with politics.

[moobabe.livejournal.com]

I also truly do think it is asinine that something like how we teach our children to read can be politicized like that.

Yes. I mean... seriously. Conservative way to teach reading? What?? Well, shoot, I guess I'll just have to find a liberal way to teach reading. Good grief.

You do what works for you and the child you're teaching. One of the joys of homeschooling is that it's so easy just to say, "Hey, this isn't working--let's try something else."

I'm really looking forward to hearing how you like Spell to Read and Write. I think it's too much for Hannah at this point, but maybe in the future it's something that would work for us. (And, hey, I can come SEE it sometime, score. Hee.)

[greatestislove.livejournal.com]

My husband learned through whole language and it failed him completely. He still hates to read and can't spell to save his life. It is very sad.

I am very pro-phonics.
I think only a small minority of kids are capable of learning the whole-langauge way.

[lil-irish-lass.livejournal.com]

I love your homeschool posts :D

Can you link that program? I am really finding Arianna seems to be learning that way too.

[mommydama.livejournal.com]

This site has, IMHO, the best info about it.
http://swrtraining.screwlewse.com/id23.html

This one is, I think, the "official" site.
http://webs.integrity.com/backhome/BHI_Catalog.html

There is a yahoo group that the author and several trainers belong to and they post often. It is a very active group.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SpellToWriteAndRead/

[lil-irish-lass.livejournal.com]

Thank you :D

[mairesue.livejournal.com]

What's the Children's Bible Reader? Where can I get one and WOW from an Orthodox perspective! I totally want one!

[mommydama.livejournal.com]

http://store.goarch.org/product.php?productid=18899&cat=0&page=1

It has been around for a few years, but only in Greek. The English edition just came out a few months ago. I've been waiting with baited breath! I've flipped through it and it is what I'd hoped it would be. A very simple, children's illustrated bible story book, but the illustrations are icon-like and the stories have that "Orthodox" feel, if you know what I mean. They don't differ all that dramatically from any other children's illustrated bible, but they just have that...well...feel to them. The wording and phrasing and attitude behind it. Don't know how to explain it exactly. I'm just in love with it...

[moobabe.livejournal.com]

I get the not wanting to wait. More lesson-based school is put on hold at least until we get the house more in order for moving, simply because there's so much to do. (Though we're still sort of unschooling. Today when Hannah cleaned up a mess without prompting, she learned about initiative. :)

Anyway! I just got this language arts program and I really want to do it, but it involves getting out a bunch of stuff. I'm probably going to pull it out at least a little tonight, when Hannah is asleep and can't get into EVERYTHING.