Hi there! How have you all handled a difference in skill level in one of your kids? My oldest (almost 5) is able to read many simple words (such as the bob books) but he is not fully reading on his own yet. He is excellent with numbers as far as counting to 100, adding/subtracting one digit numbers, patterns, shapes, colors, etc. He seems to be beyond kindergarten level, except for his handwriting ability. He can write his name and all the letters and can write something very simple such as "I love you" on a card or something. Often I have to tell him how to spell something, even if it's a word that he can read on his own, so I don't think he's made the connection of reading-spelling yet. So, I was hoping to start him with first grade level material next fall, but the handwriting is holding me back. After looking at several types of curriculum, I'm just not sure what to get him. He seems bored with the K stuff I already have. I think he could do the 1st grade stuff, but I would have to write out his answers for him. It's like his brain and undestanding of concepts and materials are WAY ahead of his hand's ability to write it out. Am I making any sense?
It's common for boys writing/motor skills to take longer to develop. I would do the 1st grade materials, and have him do the exercises orally (you can write them if you want or just let him tell you), then give him a sentence or two to copy each day to help improve his writing skills. You could also allow him to "write" with markers on a dry erase board, use shaving cream or pudding on the table, use paints and his fingers on paper, crayons on paper, or form letters with clay. Spend a little time each day developing his motor skills and give him short things to copy, and his writing will catch up.
Homeschoolers are NOT locked into a "grade". When my youngest was in "first grade", he was doing first math, second reading, and history/science with his older sisters. I would absolutely NOT go with kindergarten! Why teach him what he already knows? If you really want a "boxed" curriculum, go with first and adjust it for the writing.
Just do Kindergarten handwriting and first grade reading. Working at different grade levels for different subjects is normal around here.
If it's the time it takes to write, you could have him write one answer with his best handwriting... and then write the rest for him. Finding a way to let him learn without waiting for his hands to catch up is a great idea!
The great thing about homeschooling is that we can custom fit EVERY SINGLE THING to our individual kids. That is why I HATE "boxed curriculums".. I cringe every time I hear someone say that they are going to buy a boxed curriculum, esp when they are new. I know how overwhelming the curriculum choice is.. but it's well worth it to put in some time exploring the options that are out there. Oh and remember.. homeschooling doesn't have to mean school at home (it obviously can, but it's so much more fun when it doesn't )
for working on those fine motor skills you could do alot of cutting,those sewing card things, stuff like that. also keep in mind that study after study shows that most boys do not develop that writing skill till much later. some say as late as 8 or 9. something about that tendon between the thumb and forefinger not being fully developed or something like that. at that age we did alot of oral stuff anyway. my son loved to illustrate his answers if he could. for some reason painting was easily mastered alot earlier!
I agree with the others. The best part of homeschooling is that you can adjust to their level for every subject so they get the best education possible. My kids are all over the place "grade level" wise, but are learning so much everyday and are making a lot of progress.
I agree with the others. My son can't write to save his life. That doesn't mean other subjects have to be held back, though.
I would not stress the messy handwritting, there are tons of scholastic Writing practice books out there, even dry erase styles, so make one of his classes be writing. Remember he should e writing slowly at this point and not so neat. He is a boy, my dd was always neater than my boys at writing. It is my experience that most boys are slower at writting skills, or more creative writers. Does your dh have good penmenship? ALso dont try to do too much, remember 1st graADE is only a part day (3/4) grade still.
My son is the same. I tried Sing Spell Read and Write with him, and while it's great for learning to read (he's at a grade 1 reading level now), the writing is nasty for him. So, we're following it loosely, and I'm giving his fine motor skills more time to develop. I'll do HWT later this year, and we're also using Explode the Code online, and he's really enjoying that. I think it's better to take it easy on the handwriting for a while longer, so he doesn't have an aversion to it in later years. With math, I do the writing for him, or use stickers with numbers written on them that he can just pick off and stick on the answer spot. I don't want his inability to write to mess up him learning his math! Other subjects, I just let him tell me the answer for now. If he wants to dictate a story to me, I'll write it down and he can illustrate. There's ways to get around it for now!
He's only four. I don't think he is behind in writing so much as he is advanced in his math and reading. Seems like you are both doing a great job
