I have been using Sonlight/ Abeka this year. We like it. Love the novel studies. However, looking forward into the next year I am seriously considering creating my own curriculum for next year and save a few bucks. It seems like, through reading, that some of you create your own. My soon to be 5th grader wants to learn Latin and I was considering English From the Root Up (Or something like that). We will continue Singapore Math as we are finally getting used to it. We are ending our history this year on westward expansion and will start Civil war next year. Any advice out there as to resources? Am I crazy? I know I CAN do it. I guess the real question here is, what are you doing in your HS program that you love? (I am looking at 2nd grade and 5th grade boys.) I am so sorry that this post seems so chopped. That is EXACTLY where my brain is today. :shock:
Well...what I loved...was unschooling. Which is a concept that kinda throws most people, to be honest. LOL. Unschoolers are all about self-led education. I honestly didn't use any curriculum K-7th grade. I just made a list of foundational stuff in English and math that I wanted my daughter to master....and didn't worry much about the rest. We learned things when she had interest in learning (which was almost always), and took days off when we needed to regroup. Science and social studies are always in the news, and part of day to day life...I pretty much let her explore them at will and made a point to talk about them. Science is a passion for everyone at our house, so she had tons of natural exposure. About the only things I really pushed...were reading, learning to write a cohesive sentence/paragraph/essay, and doing math with accuracy and understanding of concepts. I also did a lot of self lead learning skills....instruction on how to use the internet, how to use the library, how to use a dictionary and thesaurus and encyclopedia, how to write a business letter, how to write a congressmen, how to phone a professional and ask a question politely without wasting their time....essentially if there was something she wanted to accomplish, I wouldn't do it for her, but I'd give her the skills she could use to accomplish it. Everything from baking and decorating a formal cake, to building a decked tower to zipline from. And at the elementary level...I pretty much just winged it and got away with it. I'd have her read every day, write every day, and do some math every day. But pretty often it was just her reading a book she loved, writing a journal entry or a letter, and doing a handful of problems to reinforce a math concept and review one from the day before. Everything else was self led. Goals were mostly self-imposed. I never had a formal lesson plan or grades or tests. I knew what her basic skill level was, and where she needed to go. I just pretty much kept the goals in my head and asked myself what I could do each day to help her find her way. Unschooling is a sort of weird concept that people don't naturally embrace...because it's sort of hard to understand the idea of letting kids educate themselves with guidance. Parents seem really appalled sometimes by the idea. If you let kids do their own thing, they'd play video games all day and would never get any work done and would fall behind hopelessly! It's not like that. Not even close. If an unschooler sees their kid playing video games....the parent might ask...Hey, I noticed you've been playing a lot of video games the last couple of days. Don't you think you should should spend some time learning something new? And a kid who isn't used to this system might say...Nope! I'm having fun playing video games! LOL. But an unschooled kid has already run that experiment...they know they can play video games all day, every day if they want to...and they know this gets very boring...particularly when mom is doing some weird experiment outside with a balloon and a bottle rocket.....and that looks...interesting. They know a library trip is planned for later that day...and as interesting as the video games are, they really want some new books and videos. They start to put together the idea that learning isn't miserable, it isn't a punishment, it isn't a prison. They start to see learning as rewarding in itself. Satisfying. Enriching. Fun. They start thinking about the world, and their future and how they might affect it. Not because you're making them...but because when you lead by example...they'll become leaders by example, too. And then one day your kid says to you...My cousins are writing eight page reports on endangered species. I think I should write one, too. And that's when you arrive. That's when being an unschooler is amazing. Because you get to stand back and watch them fall in love with learning and exploring and being a part of the world. "What will you write your paper about?" "I don't know yet, I need to research endangered species. I'd like to pick one of the canids." "What sort of things do you think your paper should cover?" "I'll have to look into it, but I'm thinking it should talk about basic things like physical features, lifespan and habitat, but I also think it should talk about why they are becoming endangered and what the future might hold." "Those are great ideas." Then, two hours later you hear your kid yelling, "Mom! I found this cool nature preserve place on the internet! They have Red Wolves! GoogleMaps says it's about 90 minutes away. There's this guy there, a wolf biologist. If I email him and he says it's ok, can we go?" You take the trip, you meet the guy, you see the wolves, you go back after dark to meet some people at a bonfire and hear wolves howling, your kid makes a friend who will become a lifelong penpal. Your kid decides that more people should know about Red Wolves and decides to send her report to Ranger Rick magazine, hoping to be published without telling you. She doesn't get published, but gets a terrific letter from the editor encouraging her to write more and submit again in the future! Your kid is so excited, she gets books about writing, and nature photography. She takes a photo every day of the same bird's nest. She starts writing a nature journal. For MOST home schoolers...following the path of natural exploration is one of the joys they most treasure. (I like to think of them as unschoolers who haven't yet figured out that they don't need a curriculum...lol) Ultimately...when it comes to education...there's honestly more than one road to amazing results. If you want to try writing your own curriculum...I think that's wonderful
CrazyMom, thanks for that description of unschooling. You brought up a perspective I'd never thought about before. I've always thought it was an interesting idea, but I never quite understood how it worked in a real-life situation.
dariequeen, The big key to unschooling is learning to ask your kids...instead of telling them. It accomplishes the same things...but with your kid in the driver's seat. "Mom, I can write all my letters now, but I can't read. Everyone knows things that I don't." "Well, you haven't learned to read yet." "How do I do that?" "Well, most people think you need to do two things to start reading. You work on knowing the sounds of the letters. And you work on knowing some words just by looking at them. They call those words, Dolch words. If you can learn those 220 words, you can read more than HALF of everything written in books, and you can use the sounds of the letters to figure the other words out." "Do you know the Dolch words?" (total urgency...MUST have this sacred information! lol) "Yes. But 220 is a lot of words. So some people think you should learn them a few at a time. Would you like me to show you the first ten?" "YES!" "Ok. Get your paper. I'll tell you the letters. You write them down. And then we'll practice saying the words. After you think you know them, there's a game we can play." "What game?" "We'll put the words all over the house. I'll call out the word and you run to it. If you're too slow, I'm going to try to hit you in the head with this nerf ball!" *** So after that one of two things happens... 1. Your kid goes crazy excited trying to memorize the first ten Dolch words....or 2. Your kid loses interest and does something else. Either way is fine. You simply wait for your cue to take the next step. If there's a long lag in the process....no bites on wanting to learn to read again for a few days....you sweeten the deal. You leave a note on your kid's door describing with pictures....a buried treasure. There is a list of instructions...with a lot of those first ten Dolch words, and some simple phonetic words...that tell how to find the treasure. "Mom, read this." "I think you should try to read it." "But, I don't know how to read." "Oh. Well... If you ever want to work on those Dolch words, let me know. I think learning to read is a very worthwhile thing to do." Sometimes it takes a couple of tries. Sometimes it takes a little peer pressure. But eventually....kids WANT to learn. And once they cross that bridge...it just snowballs. It's the easiest way to teach..IMO. No power struggles...no bad days. You just wait until they're ready to learn, and coax them a little when they get stuck. Honestly works like a charm. Also, when it's your kid's idea to learn....he brings his "A game". He concentrates. He tries very hard to complete the objective that is his idea to complete. It's just a different way of doing the same things all teachers do....but in a really really laid back way that doesn't keep score so much....and has the flexibility of letting your child set his own pace. You will be shocked how much further kids push themselves...than you ever would push them. (Sometimes you have to pull the reigns a little and say...hey, this is REALLY challenging stuff...maybe you should come up for air for a while? lol) Sometimes they'll want to spend all their time building something or reading books or watching science videos, or get engrossed in a new idea/skill/project. As long as they're reading every day...writing every day...and doing a handful of math problems to keep the math skills progressing....I step back and let them pick the rest. I think most kids could get along well with unschooling. But it does take the kind of teacher who can let go and wait for them to lead. That's REALLY tough for a lot of parents..lol.
Yes. Completely. But that's why you're here! LOL Just kidding of course. I remember when I finally felt confident enough to build my "own thing" for each of my kids, and we've been happy. I used Sonlight to build my reading/read aloud list. I usually do use a history base text, but I don't think you HAVE to. Have you looked at: http://www.homeschoolinthewoods.com They are the folks Sonlight gets their timeline figures from. They are Christian based, but they do individual time periods and you can move as fast or as slow as you like. Also, Beautiful Feet Books are the same way. HTH GOOD FOR yOU!!!! YOU GO MAMA!
Haha! It's like you really know me. Thanks all for the ideas and the links. I am going to be checking them out ASAP! I am looking to complete the history we have started as my boys are loving learning about life in a different time. (They would prefer to learn about make believe planets and life on them but they school me on those things.) It has been a long long time since I have created a history unit of study and I am getting more and more excited to do it again as I think about it. I am sure you will "see" me a lot in the next few months asking the experts for ideas. One thing I have learned in this HS experience is to ask for help instead of panicking. Thanks again! So happy I found this group!
We have been creating our own curriculum for almost 10 years. Most of the time our days looked exactly like CrazyMom explained. We have always been unschoolers, being led by whatever the kids were interested in. Ours even carried over into English and math as well. As the kids got older, they asked for more structure and to use more text and workbooks (I'm still fascinated by that, lol). So, we researched together and bought some things they might like. Fast forward a few more years. I'm only homeschooling one kid now and he's in 7th grade. I know his learning style back and forth, so I know what he likes, what he excels at, and how he learns best. There is not any one full program that is ideal, so we mix and match. We spend about 1-2 hours per day on formal academics. The rest of the day we are either out somewhere or ds is pursuing his interests at home. It's still a beautiful unschooly life, since even the formal academics are child-requested. So yeah, you're not crazy to want to piece things together yourself. I think you will feel a new sense of freedom.
Yay! Another Unschooler! The common misconception about unschooling is that given the choice, kids won't challenge themselves, will fall behind, won't develop structured study habits to succeed in college....etc. Have to say this has not been my experience. Even though she had never had "assignments, tests and worksheets" from Elle's first day of public school, she was organized, disciplined and budgeted her time very well. I never reminded her about her homework or other responsibilities.....because I figured that the down side of experiencing being unprepared was a lesson she should learn. Apparently...it was a lesson she wanted to avoid! She was very strictly prepared with no supervision from me. She never asked for help with her homework, but did set up her own tutoring for while at the school's "success center" after she got a *gasp* B-!!!! on an Algebra test. LOL. (she still ended up with an A in the class. Stinker!) The best situation I can think of...that illustrates the benefits of self-led learning...is a situation that occurred within weeks of when she started eighth grade. My mom had Thyroid cancer and I was taking her to the university hospital for radioactive iodine, my husband's work schedule had some unexpected extra hours, and I had about twenty things coming at me......and somehow in the confusion, I forgot that I didn't have my daughter's ride home from school on a particular day covered (we drove her to school every day). So, that morning, I feel horrible because I don't have a plan....I don't want her to spend the day worrying that no one can pick her up....I'm thinking of people I can call a favor in to....I know my best friend can come after my daughter after work, but with a two hour wait after school...so at least I have that...but I don't want her waiting alone for two hours. So I'm talking to my daughter, and I feel awful....and say....Hey, I don't know who is going to pick you up today or when. You might have to wait for Auntie H, but I'm trying to find someone near us who can get you home sooner. Call my cell right after school ok? And she says....and this about floors me: "I'll just take the bus home." And I'm stunned because this didn't even occur to me. "Elle, that's a great idea, but you've never ridden the bus, so we'd need to make arrangements for you to do that." "Mom, I told the office lady yesterday that I needed to take the bus home tonight. We called the bus garage yesterday at lunch, and talked to the driver who does the route by our house. He says I can ride anytime I need to. I just need to catch Bus #23 at 3:15. He says he can drop me off at the end of the driveway. I knew you'd be with Grandma and Dad would be working. You've got a lot on your mind. It's ok, I've got it covered." "Knowing how to get things done"...is a very common unschooler trait. And as long as it's used for good and not evil...it's fantastic! LOL.
I think that there is a huge difference between responsible unschoolers and unparenters. What CrazyMom is describing IS unschooling!!!! Unfortunately, I've encountered many unparenters who call themselves unschoolers and give unschooling a bad name!!! A true unschooler knows their childs weaknesses and strengths and helps guide them to strengthen the weak areas and continue to embrace and use their strengths to their maximum potential. Unparenters claim that their learning is "child led" but if the child doesn't "feel like" learning that day, they don't even try. I've met wayyyyy too many unparenters!!!! I love true unschooling as a principle, and I think I try to lean towards that, but it hurts the type A personality in me! The box checker in me goes NUTS! LOL I have an amazing evaluator will show me how to take a day that I would say is not a school day - and she can show me how we would touch on each of the "subjects" just by living. I admire true unschoolers. One of my good good good friends is an unschooler. And it's so good of their family!!!!
Thanks for the kind words Very appreciated! You know....the more I look at the equation...the more I'm convinced that you'll find a bad egg in any population. I'll never forget when Elle and I went to our first meeting with the school when she was signing up for eighth grade...and I asked how the teachers generally felt about home school kids who transfer in. The counselor told me that homeschoolers are either the best or the worst students they get.....but the vast majority fall into the "best" category. Teachers like well behaved kids who try hard and do well...and that describes most home school kids. I asked for an example of what "the worst" homeschoolers are like. She told me that they had two kids 9 and 11 transfer in who could not read. Did not even know their letter sounds reliably. I remember thinking...wow...yeah...it wouldn't take witnessing something like that very often...to develop that strange concern that homeschool kids are regarded with at first. That's just amazing neglect in my eyes. So sad for the kids. So much opportunity lost. So yeah...there are a few bad apples in every crowd. But thankfully...the majority of us are on the beam (or at least try really hard to be on the beam..lol)
kbabe....some people are just gonna be box-checkers. LOL. For some...there's just not going to be any escaping their type A roots that crave structure! And you know what? That's ok! To each, their own. If you're gonna teach, do it honestly and from the heart, in the way that feels "right" to you. Again...there are a lot of paths up the mountain Find the best path for you, and wave to your fellow travelers when you see them trudging along their own paths.
Please forgive me if I am thread-hacking, but I am also curious about the unschooling approach. I have a DS-6yo finishing up K at private school, he is the type of kid who wants NEEDS to do his own thing. He will wake up and immediately start with legos or creating some 3d paper construction, and when its time to leave for school he has to be dragged away screaming because he did not finish... it is heartbreaking. He hates workbooks, flashcards, etc and thanks to formal schooling now hates reading too. HOWEVER, a few things that concern me about unschooling - one is my DH has a certain idea about relaxed homeschooling (based on a hs family we knew in the past whose kids ended up very poorly prepared for life) and would never agree to it, and two - at this age, and given his hatred for anything that has to do with written language, how would I go about motivating him to practice the basics of writing/reading/math? Your scenario above about kid asking how to read - nope, would never ever happen with my kid, he would be 100% happy to never bother with it or he would jump on to something more interesting after 20 seconds... IDK, I strongly feel he would eventually learn everything, some day, but in Ohio, we have a stringent evaluation at the end of each year. Another thing is, me - I am notorious for getting engrossed in my own thing too and would fear I would just lose touch (you know what I mean?) without that structure. So, sorry for taking over the convo, but I was greatly intrigued by Crazymom's description of unschooling - thanks!
HPC...you're not thread-hacking, you're participating! (And very welcome to do so!) Your son sounds like a bright kid who has had some negative learning experiences, who might have a learning style that doesn't mesh with his teacher's teaching style. I could give you a lot of advice about how to motivate him to choose reading/writing/math on his own....but you have MUCH bigger problems. First off, as a homeschooler, you're dead in the water if you have an unsupportive spouse. It's a terrible situation for you, and a WORSE situation for your kids! You can't put the kids in the middle of an education war, it's incredibly unfair to all involved. So your first hurdle would be getting your husband FIRMLY on board and committed. Some people are not going to be able to take that leap of faith. He might be one of them. So, that's the first conflict to resolve. Believe me...with the amount of criticism you'll get from all directions...you need him to have your back and provide a united front. I've read Ohio home school law...and find it tedious and depressing. The testing every year is something you can deal with....but it also might make you really nervous. I know if my daughter had taken standardized testing some years...she would have knocked it out of the park....and other years, she might have done really really poorly...depending on what she was choosing to work on that year. If, as an unschooler, this doesn't freak you out...you'll be ok. Keep in mind that just because the state asks you to do these tests, doesn't mean anything will be done if your kids do poorly on them in any given year. Think of the number of kids in the public schools who do poorly on them! LOL...they really can't talk, can they? There are a LOT of motivators that can be applied to move unschoolers toward making the right decisions...and desire to pursue their educations. Reading is essential, and you need to address this as soon as possible with your son. If I were in your shoes, I would start eliminating some other entertainment options around the house, and start reading to him several times a day. Kids who are read to...become readers. I'd take him to the library and let him pick out some picture books with topics that excite him....building books, books on those giant leggo museum exhibits...cool stuff. And then, I'd pick out half a dozen beginning reader books. Make them accessible. Don't push him to read...but ask him....Hey, do you know what this word is? If he's interested, try a few more words. If he runs away, let him. But keep trying. The horrible spelling trick! (we've all done it) E L L E N W A N T S T O G O T O T H E P A R K....I'd spell to my husband. W H E N?....he's spell back S O O N.....we'd both laugh. Elle would be driven crazy by this. I know it sounds mean, and I probably did permanent psychological damage.... but WOW is this a motivator! Because she knew what E L L E N spelled. LOL. She would demand...What are you spelling! And I'd say...If you really want to know, go grab some paper. I promise I'll say the same letters. You can write them down, and I'll help you try to figure the words out if you want. She'd look really skeptical, and even a little angry...but she'd get the paper. I would tell her the letters and help her decode each word. It would take a while. But she would very stubbornly work on this....even when she rejected other forms of reading! I could tell you a million other strategies I used....but the whole point is to find your own creative solutions. If you need a book to do it, if it doesn't feel natural to you....it's probably not a great fit. If you get easily discouraged by your kid's lack of interest in some things...it's probably not for you. Kids wax and wane. To unschool, you need the patience of Job. But rest assured that all kids WANT to read, write and do math. They're not oblivious. They know that these skills open opportunity for them and give them more access to the world. Kids that disengage have other things going on. Stress, learning issues, a bad experience...are all things that can take time to resolve. Unschooling requires patience, acceptance, and lots and lots and lots of creativity, strategy, and follow through. If you're scared you will become "out of touch" without structure....I would take that as a sign that the basic idea of unschooling is probably not a good fit for your personal approach to education. Because I honestly feel "in touch"...when I escape structure. It's more comfortable for me, less stressful, more positive. Regardless of what method you use, I think homeschool should provide that...a more comfortable, less stressful, positive education. Maybe you'd be more of a traditional homeschooler? If so...that's another great option.
Great great wisdom, Crazymom! I originally read this thread because I have been looking at EVERYTHING curriculum wise, trying to find the perfect mix for this DS - then deciding I had to let go of the idea of a full school day for him (he wont like it at all). He Loves the library, always drags a huge stack of books home and we read all the time - mostly non-fiction science related. We also do lots of field trips, museums, creek walks, etc. I think what I have tentatively decided for next year is to have him just do math and handwriting and some creative project work to keep his ideas flowing in the right direction. I want him to be able to read and do enough math to get through the year end testing.
I love the descriptions and ideas given so much! As a "teacher" I have a hard time convincing myself to "unschool" but as a former student, who hated the structure of school, I LOVE the idea! So, I am leaning towards melding the two together. I have a seven year old who HATES the word school. He loves math. hates reading. Loves listening to stories. Even has listened to and loved books like, Harry Potter, Gregor the Overlander, Percy Jackson, and all of our Sonlight read alouds. He has amazing recall on these books. He can read great one day and then struggles the next. I feel the pressure to have him excel in this. No more. I am taking to heart the advice given here and trusting he will get it and do well. So this is what I am thinking at this point... Mon. Wed. Fri. will be "working" days. We will work traditionally on basics (Reading, Writing, Math) and Tues. Thurs. will be "unschooling" days. Example, today the ten year old is creating a Lego Movie using the Ipad and the 7 year old is developing a new game with rules and everything. I realize this is NOT unschooling really but I think I need baby steps. lol That and we can all use the break in the "schedule" and are starting it now. The joy of homeschool! Also, the boys want to study the Civil War over the summer so that is what we will do then too.
I know I give the impression that unschooling is laid back, but I don't want to give the impression that academics are not important, and that being eventually ABLE to cope inside what the rest of the world does...isn't important. I think as parents....we want our kids to be able to follow their dreams. And a LOT of those dreams are going to lead them to college. And many will not. Arts, trades, inventions, businesses...are all worthwhile roads to explore, too. But ultimately, you don't want to *limit* your child's ability to cope with the idea of working within the system....if his dream takes him down a path that requires it. Preparing a kid to be comfortable and competent in college.....while allowing the freedom and readiness of unschooling.....is a balancing act. Kids seriously need to read well. They need to be able to do basic math. They need to be able to express themselves effectively in writing. (I addressed the big three every day...7 days a week...365 days a year...but often in smaller increments) These things are insanely important. And while unschoolers approach them with a lot of creativity and strategy to inspire kids to self-lead.....ultimately, this core stuff is so stinking important! I guess what I'm saying here....is to think about the end goals when you're creating your approach. If you want your kid to be able to score well on the ACT someday and get into a really good college (if that turns out to be part of his dream)...laying the framework for challenging academics is essential. Addressing time-management, and understanding the demands of traditional classwork is essential. I know I sound like I'm totally contradicting myself here, and I'm trying to clarify. I do think kids need to learn to cope with the status quo. They need to learn to take tests well and complete assignments. They need study habits and the discipline to complete tasks they don't always like...if it furthers them toward a goal they want to achieve. Where I split philosophies with traditional schoolers.....is WHEN we need to start addressing these things in a practical way. Traditional schools...and even many traditional homeschoolers....run elementary education like a tiny version of adult academia...where structure and adult learning methods (worksheets, tests, assignments, units, structure) are employed with the idea that enough exposure to these things will eventually result in aptitude for them. But I think this can backfire. Kids are not adults. Their brains are a little different. Their ABILITIES are different. (can you imagine becoming conversationally fluent in a language, and learning a culture...and doing massive physical therapy to gain motor control of your body.....all in two years? Babies do this like champions, and they laugh a lot while accomplishing it. They're AMAZING people!) Kids are different and can benefit from immersion and other learning approaches. They're developing people and need developing challenges. I honestly feel that if you accomplish strong reading, writing and basic math skills....it doesn't matter how you do it. Personally, I opted for the most enjoyable, most enthusiastic, most individual way. At some point you do have to address merging with traditional academics. For us, that point was seventh grade. We spent seventh grade studying what "real school" was like, checking out the things they considered to be essential skills, and making sure she had a basic understanding of all of them. My daughter seamlessly transitioned to traditional eighth grade public school. She earned a deck of aces on her first report card (and pretty much every one since). She couldn't have achieved those grades without excellent reading, writing, and math. The foundation was necessary. But I honestly think it was her LOVE of learning that inspired her....and her spirit of adventure that allowed her to challenge herself with extremely difficult classes in high school. I think it's her ability to dream...that has allowed her to chase a pretty lofty goal (she's going into molecular biology at the University of Michigan this fall, with am emphasis on genetics and biomedical engineering). Would she have had the same love of learning, spirit of adventure and ability to dream without unschooling? I don't know. In my heart, I think unschooling is a core force in her independence, in her enthusiasm, in her curiosity and discipline ethic. And there are days when I think....and I might get flack for this....but there are days I seriously think that smart, happy, loved kids are going to succeed no matter what their parents do right or wrong with their educations. LOL. OK, so that's my rant. Unschool like crazy....make it as weird as you want....but make sure they're not neglecting the big three (reading, writing, math). And somewhere in middle school...start thinking bout the bottom line, the big goals....and work toward them. If that means college....get integrated. Get the traditional stuff out and see what skills you already have and what skills gaps need a little work. Spend high school getting ready for college (if that's where you're headed). Most of all, be happy. Love a lot. Dream big
I think it is crazy to used a boxed program. So..no..you are not crazy to do your own thing. I cannot imagine spending the money to have someone else select the books we will read, and then tell me the order and which pages on which days, and so on.
Crazymom, were you involved with other homeschoolers? I think personality has a lot to do with how well kids will push themselves and how curious they are. I have a 19 year old who ever since he was little all he ever wanted to do was play sports and fish. He went to regular school and is now graduating - he did not learn to read until the 4th-5th grade and still has trouble now. He can barely get through a job application. He would only respond in a group setting where all the kids were reading together, etc. never on his own. Now he is bussing tables and thinking of going to police academy. My twin 24 year olds are both college graduates, one has his masters in aerospace engineering and heading towards phd. They were very motivated in school and would have done well no matter how they were taught, they were just so bright and "on" all the time. So I have withdrawn my DS6 out of school and now he is home. He is a challenge in school or out. We are having him evaluated for whatever disorder he might be dealing with. At times his behavior is similar to autism, other times he is totally normal. I am having him do a couple of worksheets per day (math and spelling/handwriting) and that is it. Yesterday we made kites and attempted to fly them. Getting through a regular day with him is exhausting.
