So tomorrow's the day...

[inmypjs]

...that I am starting homeschooling with DS. I think we are both pretty excited. We decided to do homeschooling with dual enrollment - he'll be going to school at 1:00 each afternoon for specials - art, p.e., music etc. We just felt that he'd accomplish so much more at home, instead of having to come home from school each day and do dyslexia program follow up on top of his regular homework. We are also starting vision therapy soon, and this schedule will allow us to do those appts. and work too.

Tonight we had a good talk about why we are homeschooling, our goals and rules. He came up with those - always have fun and always do your best! I liked those. We are doing Math U See for math, reading with his dyslexa methods, lots of multisensory handwriting stuff, read alouds for whatever he is interested in, and I'm going to start scribing for him as he has many wonderful stories in his head. I never thought I'd home school, but it just seems right.

[WatchingThemGrow]

That sounds awesome, and it sounds like a very specific and supportive program targeting what your DS needs! I have one question though...are you going to do it inyourpjs?

[Melaine]

Sounds like you are off to a great start! I hope it is a wonderful experience for your family!

[inmypjs]

That sounds awesome, and it sounds like a very specific and supportive program targeting what your DS needs! I have one question though...are you going to do it inyourpjs?

Hee hee, you bet!

I am inmypjs sooooo much it is not even funny! DS is really excited he can wear his all morning too!

[swrc00]

It sounds like you have the best of both worlds. I love love Math U See. I had a student I tutored that I used this program with. It is awesome! Not sure what dyslexia program you are using but I have good things about Wilson. Have fun!

[crl]

Good luck!

Catherine

[JTsMom]

Best of luck! Hope it turns out to be a great fit for your familiy.

[JTsMom]

How's your week going?

[inmypjs]

Thanks for asking! I think it went pretty well! Each day I wrote on a dry erase board the subjects/activities we were going to do. DS got to pick the order we did them in and then he would check them off when we finished. It was neat to do our work in various areas of the house, pet the kitties while we read, and have a snack whenever!

Each day we did reading and math and his dyslexia activites. We also did some brief critical thinking activites, some handwriting and/or writing composition. I am finding it very helpful to separate handwriting practice from writing composition - for that we did a writing planning worksheet, I scribed what he said, and then we discussed some basic editing. He has wonderfully creative stories that his dysgraphia just won't allow him to physically write. He was really proud when I showed him that I typed his words exactly as he said them.

One thing I am struggling with is, am I doing enough? Am I helping him learn more than he would in the classroom? Somedays I think yes and then other days I don't know. I also feel judged by some people at the school - namely the school psych and VP. But I can't tell if they really are judging us negatively, or if I am just projecting my own anxiety. And in the end it won't really affect what we do, but it just bugs me.

[JTsMom]

It sounds like you're off to a wonderful start! One of the things that helps me as far as feeling judged goes is to find people who are supportive. Have you been over to the Well Trained Mind forums? There's a pretty nice mix of people over there, and they even have a SN forum.

I think it's good that you're starting off slowly. A lot of people overdo it in the beginning. You can always add more in if you feel like you want to. People are all over the board about how much you "should" do, and I don't think there's any one right answer. Have you thought about doing some type of history or science? Maybe a formal grammar and/or writing program? Another option is to do unit studies here and there. I don't know what all you've looked at, but if you need any suggestions, let me know.