Year 2 Homeschooling

I haven’t really told much about my reason to homeschool my youngest child Connor 12, something I never saw myself doing.

Connor struggled with reading and writing and after being tested, they said he had an unspecified learning disability.  They told me it was very mild and that they would have it kicked by the time he got out of elementary school.  I was caring for my mother who was suffering from dementia during this time frame. I trusted what they said.  I regret that tremendously.

Connor made small advances in reading but his writing did not improve.  I now know that because of a lack of phonetic awareness , he couldn’t spell.  He is a perfectionist and became stubborn about writing, not wanting to make a mistake.  If I wrote what he said he used his huge vocabulary and very complex sentences.  At school he dumbed down his sentences and  wrote a bare minimum of four to five sentences.

The school suggested a Reading 180 program after school three days a week for 90 minutes.  I agreed and he did it.  It wasn’t until his second year of that program when I questioned something in a meeting that they informed me this program was for reading comprehension.  Connor was not deficient there in fact he scored advanced in that area.

Connor didn’t know that phonetics were what he was lacking , but he did know that this program was not what he needed. He became very frustrated and angry. refusing to do homework. refusing to write at school. etc.  Just becoming a child so unlike the delightful optimistic child he had always been.

We got to fifth grade and the idea of sending him to middle school made me sick to my stomach and hence the idea to homeschool was born.  I was scared to death, but knew his best shot at turning this around was with me.

We had wonderful success last year using a remedial reading program designed for 3rd graders to adults.  It is called Back on The Right Track Reading Lessons and can be found here: http://www.righttrackreading.com/.  It was a very tough comprehensive program that I loved because it was at his intelligence level and not dumb-ed down.  In fact it helped increase his vocabulary.  It was intensive and some days we hated it, but we pushed through.

He now reads and has confidence to tackle any word without hesitation.  His spelling has improved incredibly and his writing is no longer the stressor it had been for years.  Best of all, I gained back the Connor I knew before this all began. I feel like a huge success and want to scream from the mountain tops!  Anyone questioning homeschooling , should just do it!  Don’t know anyone who is that regrets it…. I love how close this journey has made us.

This year we will concentrate on the writing.  I can’t wait to see how this year ends up and what we accomplish.  We have not had a good start up except with math, which he loves and will do for over two hours.  We had an issue with the theater group he has been doing since January,  that greatly damaged him and has infected our homeschooling. Will detail that next week.  The good news is that fiasco  is over and he is ready to move forward with brand new focus.

Gratitude-I am grateful for supportive friends and family who guide me during stressful times and who listened when I needed an ear this past week . 

Outfit Details

Jacket- Molly & Maxx Petite- Thrifted

Top- Will Smith- T. J. Maxx several years ago

Trouser Jeans-Diane Gillman- via HSN

Leopard Slingbacks- Chadwicks online– last year

Turtle Necklace- Vintage Avon – was my mother’s

Hoop Earrings- Whispers Hypo Allergenic –from website