Christmas

Boost and Sound Reading

Well, so far, I have been amazed. As far as the reading program goes, it is a little bit too childish for my taste and for Ben's. I understand the principle of it and can see where it will help both Ben and Matthew. But the reason I have been amazed is the errors that both Ben and Matt have made. They add sounds where they should not and guess at words based on the beginning sounds. It will be interesting if these two (Yes, we purchased the next level for Ben) programs will be able to help the boys to read better. I will keep you posted.

(I also preformed two basic reading tests for both of the boys. They were consistent with the scores for Sound Reading. We are scheduled to take the tests again in February to see if their scores have improved.) The cost of the programs were extreme in my opinion BUT if it really does help, I would gladly pay it again and again.

Last night, we finished up Puppets for the year. We will only get together once more this month for prop day and one day next month for prop day. It is going to be nice to have a month long break!

Tomorrow is our last teaching day at Co-op. We have scheduled a trip to a Mexican restaurant for the Spanish classes. This should be a lot of fun! Then, I believe we have one more band practice on Thursday. Then we are off for the month of December! YEAH!

I am not sure if I will know what to do with myself in December! December 3rd is the final day of co-op until Spring. No band. No puppets, No kids (Dec 5 - 13), no co-op, Just two music lessons and a recital and that is it. I am so looking forward to resting and relaxing in December. Granted, I will be cooking and cleaning and preparing for Christmas! But that is the fun stuff!

Peace

This photo is from our recent trip to Cesar's Head and table Rock. The mountains in the background is Table Rock. Places like these reminds me of God Creativity. He is the only one who could mastermind such beauty.

As far as homeschooling goes, we are progressing very well. We will hit over 90 days in school prior to December 5th. Yet, I still have two kids who are struggling readers. It really is hard to understand why one of your children can just take off in one subject area and the others struggle. Matthew is my third grader (Should really be a second grader) who is working on 4th grade math. He has does very well with it, which has been to my amazement. Yet, for reading, he struggles with sound identification. He is reading on a 2.3 grade level at this point. Yes, I know... it is at age level but I know he could be doing better.

Brandon is my 4th grader who excels in reading and is reading on a 5.5 grade level. He loves books and loves to write. He does well in all subject areas but is in 4th grade math as well.

Ben is my oldest. He continues to struggle with reading. He excels in sciences of which he loves and he is also doing well in math. He hates to write and well, like I said, he hates to read.

As a homeschooling Mom, I continuously worry about meeting the needs of my sons. I think all homeschooling mom's do. I want what is best for my kids at all times. So, now, I have yet made another investment into my two struggling readers. I purchased one program called Boost by Sound Reading for Matthew and Ben. It teaches from an auditory perspective. My mother also purchased the Next level up for Ben as well. It comes with the support of reading specialist and testing for my sons. The guarantee is that your child will be reading at grade level or better by the end of the program. We shall see! I only pray for such a miracle.

Well, have a great day everyone and keep looking forward.

I am feeling down this morning. I know that it is an attack from the enemy but the feeling is still there. I saw an old friend this past week and it reminded me of what my life would have been like if I had not starting homeschooling. I began thinking of the money that we would have by now, and I would have completed my Master's Degree. In my earthly mind, I would be so much better. We would have put in the patio doors by now and built onto the house. The kitchen would have been remodeled and the bathtub would be fixed. My van...well I am sure that we would have had a new one by now. All these things are worldly things and are all very insecure at best. But, it still bothers me at times. It is on those days that I have to stop and think about who set my feet upon this path. Who ordered my steps and my need for obidence.

It is not easy at times to be a Christian. This flesh desires the things of the world. I have the faith that tells me that God's plan for me and my family is greater than anything in this world. He will provide for our needs and our future is secure through Him.

I just need to keep my eyes on Him and not on me.

Frustrations! All Aboard!

Well, at least that is how it feels on some days. You can wake up and hear the conductor announce, "ALL ABOARD ON THE TRAIN HEADED TO FRUSTRATION!" And as an obedient little girl, I climb right aboard and take my seat.

We all grow up believe that we will be the best parents. We will NEVER have to correct our own children the way our parents did. We will understand our children and they will be eternally grateful to be our child. WHO EVER TOLD OF THIS? WHERE DID WE EVER GET THIS IDEA?

I have been blessed to have my three sons, whom I deeply love. But they are not perfect nor am I. We all get on one another's nerves. But the frustration that I feel as a mom right now is not based on their behavior or lack of a clean room. But seeing some of my child continue to struggle to reach goals. I can see their spirits dampened and their eyes becoming less hopeful. All this from being a struggling reader. I have tried many programs in the past to help my sons. Hooked on Phonics, Saxon Phonics, Ultimate Phonics and so on. Nothing has worked. He can read, but it is slow and he has great difficulty in decoding new words.

This issue with reading has been such a trial for him that it is effecting his grades this year. He is an awesome auditory learner and yes, I do read a lot for him to assist him in keeping up with his class mates at our local co-op. But I am so exhausted by doing this. We are working at present from 9 am to 9 pm on most days just to stay caught up.

So, where do I go from here. Yes, I am turning to yet another program to help him to read better. It is called the "Sound Reading Solutions". It is an auditory based program which integrates phonics at the end but ensures that their is auditory discrimination of sounds and ability to decode. It also supports the parent with an on call reading specialist to assist if there are any difficulties noted with the child. It is expensive but it stated that they guarantee that it will work and the child will be reading 2 grade levels higher within 2 to 3 months of use. It it works, it will be worth all the money in the world to me.

Well, I am signing off. We have been so busy with school this year!

From My dad's front porch

OK! SO I had help!