Hello all - I have been readig a lot of posts, and am glad to have found a supportive forum with well informed people. I have a number of questions as I look at all that homeschooling entails. I hope you will bear with me, and help me out. First questions -I read about a number of families that have children reading at age four. How did you know when your children were ready to start a reading program? At what age did you really start working with them? I know that i would like to use a phonics based approach, and have read a lot about Saxon phonics and Explode the Code. Which is better, or what are the pros and cons to each? I'm having a difficult time deciding between the two. Second questions - homeschooling a high schooler. Has anyone pulled a child from ps for homeschool after they have started high school? My odd with be a sophomore next year. She is devastated at the thought of homeschooling and missing her friends. Has anyone dealt with this successfully? Thank you so much for any support! -hkchik
As to your first question: I read to my daughter about two hours a day altogether, not in one sitting, since she was born practically. She began grabbing stacks of books to look through on her own since she was two and then acting like she was reading that was a clue to me that she was ready. I did not use a phonics program. We began using Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons when she was three years old, but we did not do it in 100 days. Still, she was reading at a second grade level when she was four. After she was ready to begin writing/spelling, we began with phonics/spelling rules.
Not all kids are reading at age 4. And you are not a failure if yours waits awhile. While my oldest dd read at age 4, no matter how hard we worked dd#2 just did not get it till she was closer to 8. If your child is interested in letters and words already then it should be easy. If not, just make reading time fun and read to them all the time. Eventually they will get it, although some are easier than others. I've never used Saxon phonics, but my friend did and she said it was a cumbersome program to work with. If you really like it, go for it, but in my family, if it's not simple to use, I'd hate it and the kids always pick up on my own sorry attitudes. (I need to work on that
I can't speak to the high school issue. I would say most kids don't learn to read by age four. If you have a little one I would just enjoy time reading to him to help him experience the joy of reading. I wouldn't start anything formal until you are close to age 5. I used Explode the Code with both of my boys. They enjoyed it and learned from it. Explode the Code also has an online program if your little one enjoys the computer.
As far as the reading young thing-it sounds cool and if a child is intrerested I would say go for it. I would caution anyone against having this as a goal though and treat each child as an individual and NOT be disappointed if it takes much longer. As for high school, I pulled my son out right before he was going into 7th grade. He was all for it, so I don't have experience with your specific experience. I think it would depend on your reason for homeschooling. If it is because you have a deep conviction then you should explain it to your older child and listen to their concerns. Then get some feedback from your husband and pray. She may not feel too bad if she can have many opportunities to see her friends and be involved in activities she enjoys. If there is no deep seated conviction to homeschool maybe she would be OK in public school. For me that is not an option-my son's personality, I believe, would be vunerable in the public school. There are many people (here and other forums) that have some at home and some at public/private schools. It is not something that has to be all or nothing for everyone.
We used Explode the Code for my son. He really liked it. It does a good job in teaching reading but does not teach grammar if I remember correctly. For my daughter we used Abeka. It was a bit intense for me but it did a good job. Have never used Saxon. Have no advice regarding your second question.
We taught from a McGraw Hill workbook the letter sounds and phonics to my dd when she was 5 (kindergarten). All of a sudden one day in March of that school year, she looks at the book, then at me, and exclaims, "OH!!! Letters make SOUNDS!" :roll: :lol: When it clicks it clicks. If you push too soon, you will only frustrate you and your child and might even ruin them on "doing school" altogether. We got Explode the Code (the primers first) at that point, along with digging out our McGuffey Readers. She did very well with that. No, they don't teach grammar, but in my opinion, if you speak well to your children, they learn the rules early. We waited until closer to 3rd grade before really working with grammar. As far as pulling out a high school student, I wholeheartedly agree with cabsmom40. If you have a conviction, stand by it. The child doesn't have to like it, or even agree with it, but they must respect your decision. Depending on the state you live in, there is a possibility she could still be involved in clubs, sports, band, choir, etc. at the public school if you felt it was appropriate. There are also many cities that have programs in place for homeschoolers, too. There are also civic opportunities in many communities to be involved in. My son went to public for the past 2 years and came back home for 8th grade at his request. He is very social and often sees his ps friends after school hours, which hasn't changed. The only real thing that changed was not getting in trouble talking to them during class.
We pulled sd out mid 9th grade and it was the best thing for her. We did not like the crowd she was with so she did struggle with missing her friends..until she made new friends through our homeschool group. She has even been to a couple of formals with our group. She is a senior this year and will be participating in our convention's graduation ceremony in June. My suggestion would be to find a local homeschooling group and co-op. Given a little time she will adjust. Sd has said that academically homeschool has been the best thing for her and she wished we had started her sooner. She does occassionally miss the school environment but then she remembers things like not having to get up and wait for the bus, clicks, pushing and shoving in the halls... and then she will say she likes it better now. Our youngest started reading at 4/5 years old. We just used books like the Bob books and a few others. A friend recommended Teach Your Child to read in 100 Lessons. It is what she used but before I could get it dd really started picking it up. We also used Horizon Phonics which I really like.
One child used Explode the Code. It's an effective, straight forward approach. Another child used Phonics Museum by Veritas Press. It is more challenging, but she enjoyed all the coloring and art studies that went with it. If my youngest looks like he's interested in reading before he's five, I'd use Teaching your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons. I'm not at the high school age yet, but I have done evaluations for high school homeschoolers. The ones who adjusted well to homeschooling were the ones who were taking full advantage of the perks of homeschooling and not just doing public school at home. One girl was unhappy homeschooling after being pulled out of public high school, but it was because her mom was still using the same textbooks that school used and trying to have her work through those dry old things. The ones who were happy were the ones whose parents put together a truly individualized curriculum, allowed them to pursue special interests in more depth (like drama, music, art, special topics of interest etc) and who enjoyed the flexible scheduling and the freedom of homeschooling.
So far none of my kids have been reading at age 4. My oldest started reading at 7, and currently the rest of my kids (minus the baby) are really enthralled in reading and picking it up quickly. We aren't really using a program because we have tried so many and none of them work for us. We just work on letters and sounds and putting them together. As for high school, I don't have a high schooler, BUT I was pulled out of high school during my sophmore year. My mom felt it was what the Lord had told her to do so she did it. I had no choice. I was mad. I hated her, and I threatened to run away. I knew I wasn't hanging out with the best crowd, but my friends were my life. The funny thing is, I learned that I really liked being homeschooled. I had so much more free time and I was able to get a job during the day instead of the evening like alot of other kids. Looking back my mom was right. I am so glad she pulled me out when she did.
It seems since I was the first to respond that the following responders have based much of their answers to offset any misconceptions or expectations possibly based on what I wrote, so I would like to clarify my thoughts on the issue. I am not encouraging anyone to begin teaching reading based solely on the age of the child nor I do not expect every child to be reading at four years old. My description of how it went with my daughter was meant only to point out it is not about the age of the child but in how my child indicated her readiness and how I treated it. While some children are not ready to read until later ages, there are some who are likewise ready to read quite early. It is not about age but preparing the child to see the enjoyment in reading and recognizing the signs of readiness. That was the point I was attempting to make in my post.
My child began to read at five. But I did not push her. She showed interest and asked to learn. I think that teaching reading is a whole lot like potty training. When the child is ready it will happen quickly and painlessly. But until then, trying to force it will cause anguish, shame, etc. It's very important that you read your child's cues. She may seem interested and then shut down. Let it go until she shows more interest. Many, many children do not read until 7. And research shows that they quickly catch up to earlier reading peers so that in just a short time, no one can tell who were the early and who were the late readers. So bottom line is it doesn't matter. Read to your child. Provide opportunities to learn. It will happen.
Well you have to remember all children are different some read early, others do math early. But, anyway my girls haven't been to a ps in along time. So, I don't know what to say. I have too girls one will be in 12th next year the other 10th. they grow up fast and we have been having alot of fun homeschooling in high school its fun.
A child is cognitively ready to learn to read when the child is able to recognize colours and shapes, and can count a few objects with reasonable accuracy. The child understands comparisons such as less and more, bigger and smaller. The child should also have a working familiarity with books - that there's a front and a back, that pages are turned one at a time, that words have meaning. Ideally, the child should also have been read aloud to frequently right from birth, and have parents who point out words in the environment (on signs, in grocery stores, etc.) and who enjoy reading for their own pleasure. There's no right or wrong age. Some kids pick up reading on their own, easily. Some kids (like me!) don't read until almost age 8 - and require lots of remedial help to get there. But whether your child starts to read at 2 or 8, doesn't have any bearing on how well or avidly they'll read in later life. That's all down to the individual child and how well you model reading yourself. It helps to make the process of learning to read pleasurable. Any reading program can work with any child. Pick one that appeals to you, the teacher. If your child hates it, wait a few months and try a different one. My personal philosophy in this is that children - especially teenagers - need a sense of autonomy and control over their own lives. I would support a teenager who wants to leave school, but I would not pull one out against her will. But I have raised my children to make decisions for themselves, with my input and support. So far, they have not abused the freedom I've given them or the trust I've put in them. If I was in your position, I would talk to my child and find out exactly what she's "devastated" about losing. Is it her friends? How can I help her continue to spend time with them, if she's not in school? Is she worried about her academic progress? What curriculum will we be using, and is it more rigorous than that provided by the school? And honestly, I would try a softer sell over time - introducing her to new friends her own age who homeschool, and encouraging her to spend lots of time with them over the summer. Then after having shown her all the advantages to homeschooling - I'd still leave the ultimate decision in her hands.
I am currently homeschooling my 4 1/2 year old (and 2 1/2 year old). He's "reading" if you want to call picking out the short a cvc words and the occasional sight word reading. I think people have different ideas of when they count a child as reading - for some its when they are fluent, some when they can read a simple beginning reader mostly on their own and for others its when they understand putting letter sounds into words and can sound out a few easy ones. I wouldn't worry about ages - your child will pick it up when they are ready. As for your second question - I have an almost 16 year old who is currently a sophomore in public high school. I have absolutely no plans in place to homeschool her. She loves school, gets good grades, participates in cheerleading, musicals, etc. If I forced her to come home for school she would be miserable, make me and everyone else miserable and probably not learn much of anything. It definitely would not be worth it. I think the answer here depends on why you want her to homeschool - is she having trouble in school? in with the wrong crowd?
Thank you! Thank you so much for all of your replies! I appreceiate all of your input. The checklist for the young one was helpful. All of the advice for the oldest is helpful as well. She is not doing poorly in school, but she is not being challenged in any way. She is also not following her passion, as there is really little ability for her to. Her friends are turning into not so great influence. One trying to convince her to sneak out of the house and one that is a pot head. This is still something we are discussing for next year, but the advice has been helpful and encouraging. Thank you!
As far as four year olds reading, my dgs told me he wanted to learn to read. So we started Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons. We don't do it every day, because he doesn't want to. But he does like to play on Starfall.com, so we're working on Zac the Rat and other letter sounds too. (His favorite is Z for ZigZag Boy.) When he says he's ready to do a reading lesson, we do. He's been read to practically since birth... My dgd is three, and has also been read to since birth. Her mom my dd reads and plays and whatever she has learned so far is a product of her playtime, watching Word World on pbs, and having that Leap Frog toy that sticks on the refrigerator and tells you the letter sounds. She can sound out CVC words, and "builds words" with blocks (the wooden ones with letters and numbers and pictures), but she isn't doing what you could call reading yet. I learned by much the same method - being read to constantly, watching the adults write, and wanting to do all that myself. My dd also learned from me the same way, and was writing her own lists of rhyming words when she was 4. My ds, on the other hand, wasn't ready and learned to read in first grade in public school. (We homeschooled him from fifth on up.) Kids get ready when they're ready, and there's not a thing in the world that can be done to "make" them get ready when they're not yet. You CAN "set the stage" by showing your own love for books, and sharing them with your child daily.
