It's been over four months since I last posted. So much has been going on that I just found it impossible to find the time to put fingers to keyboard. I'm one of those insane people that always take on way too much, but when there are so many exciting projects that make a difference and are fun, I just can't say no. Now here we are, coming to the end of August and yes, I still have lots of balls in the air, but I am enjoying a few quiet minutes with a cup of coffee before taking Sam to his weekly speech therapy session. I will attempt to bring you up to speed.
Home schooling has been going well. We have made so much progress this year. Sam has a natural affinity for technology and a talent for Math related activities. I'm amazed how quickly he picks up and masters new Math concepts as I introduce them. He is easily on par with his age peers when following the Australian Curriculum for Year One. Anything that involves detailed instructions, construction and puzzle solving engage him and keep his attention. Lego is an obvious 'go to' activity and watching him pour over the instruction books to put together buildings and vehicles, not simple ones I might add, is fascinating. Of course, his love of Minecraft goes without saying and I'm always looking at ways to bring it into his learning. I'm even investigating the possibility of setting up our own private world on a host server. This will necessitate me jumping into the deep end to learn all that is Minecraftm but then I can incorporate it into our learning program. I've been reading blogs from other home school parents that have done it. They have even turned it into a mini business by offering online classes. It's amazing how much you can use Minecraft across so many disciplines. If you are interested in knowing more, check out these links. I found them in a newsletter sent out by the HEU (Home Education Unit - QLD Department of Education.)
Homeschool with Minecraft: www.homeschoolwithminecraft.com
Reading and writing are still Sam's biggest challenges, but even so he has made significant improvement. Not long after my last blog post, I came across an online reading program called 'Reading Teacher'. Best of all... it's free! This site offers lesson plans, printables, online stories and links to resources used in the lessons. It is a phonics based, systematic reading program also known as the 'I See Sam' series. Of course, my Sam loves that the main character, a lion, is called Sam. This program has made a huge difference and I highly recommend it.
Another great FREE online tool I have discovered is 'Make Beliefs Comix'. I use it to create mini picture stories and together Sam and I come up with a written story. Then, working on one panel at a time, I write simple text for each panel on the white board. We read it together and then Sam writes the story next to the picture in his mini comic story book. In one fun activity we cover comprehension, reading and writing.
Assessing Sam is not is not straight forward, but at this point his expressive speech in general terms is around that of a four year old. On really good days, it can be that of a four and a half to five year old. His ability to use more complex verbal sentence structures has dramatically improved over the last six months. On the other side of the coin, his receptive language and comprehension is far more advanced and likely on par with a typically developing child of seven. As I wrote above, the reading program 'Reading Teacher' has been a fantastic tool for developing Sam's reading ability. He is now reading fluently at a level of an average five and a half to six year old.
Most of our efforts over the last few months have centred around reading, writing and maths. Building a strong foundation for future learning. But Sam still goes to gymnastics each week and it has been wonderful to see his positive progress. Gymnastics develops so many physical skills, but it also gives Sam the opportunity to spend time in a class environment with other students. Here he must listen, follow instructions and take turns. Although Sam began the year working one on one with the Head Coach, he has now settled into his Pre-Gym sessions really well and he loves his new coach, Marie.
Sam's situation is complex and can change very quickly. We are now facing another path of discovery as we explore a different medical condition that may be the cause of regular episodic changes in Sam's behaviour. Changes that we now see are forming a pattern from as early as 2011. But more on that in later posts.
Our home schooling journey has evolved so much since our humble beginnings last year and continues to do so. I've discovered that I need to be creative, flexible and adaptive to Sam's needs. It's a joy to see him learn and grow and although he is the student, he really teaches me just as much as I teach him.
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| Picture story created using Make Beliefs Comix. |
Most of our efforts over the last few months have centred around reading, writing and maths. Building a strong foundation for future learning. But Sam still goes to gymnastics each week and it has been wonderful to see his positive progress. Gymnastics develops so many physical skills, but it also gives Sam the opportunity to spend time in a class environment with other students. Here he must listen, follow instructions and take turns. Although Sam began the year working one on one with the Head Coach, he has now settled into his Pre-Gym sessions really well and he loves his new coach, Marie.
Sam's situation is complex and can change very quickly. We are now facing another path of discovery as we explore a different medical condition that may be the cause of regular episodic changes in Sam's behaviour. Changes that we now see are forming a pattern from as early as 2011. But more on that in later posts.Our home schooling journey has evolved so much since our humble beginnings last year and continues to do so. I've discovered that I need to be creative, flexible and adaptive to Sam's needs. It's a joy to see him learn and grow and although he is the student, he really teaches me just as much as I teach him.
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