Gun-shy about trying this again. Suggestions?

[myjo]

I have three boys. I homeschooled the first two during some of their early elementary years, but it was a disaster. They were very non-compliant and in addition had some cognitive difficulties associated with reading (dyslexia?).
I ended up putting my oldest in public school for the latter half of 2nd grade and he had to go into a remedial reading course. I put my middle child in school when he was 8, but he had to go to first grade because he was so behind in reading.

This was not as a result of lack of effort on my part. They were just slower readers, and the oldest definitely has some sort of mild learning disability. But I recieved a lot of flack from their teachers, they were so prejudiced. They were angry with me for even trying to teach them at home.

I should add that they were not behind in math, and they were much more educated about history, science and literature than the other kids.

They both continue to be public schooled, which is what they want (not really what I want). But my youngest, although he likes kindergarten, may need to be pulled out because of his asthma. I love teaching, but I'm really scared to try again because I'm afraid I will fail at teaching reading again.

Any encouragement or suggestions? What reading curriculum would you recommend in this situation (I used the Distar program with the first two kids. Obviously didn't work too well.) I need something comprehensive and progressive, that will take him all the way through 3rd grade.

[SundayCrepes]

I'm an unschooler and figure kids will learn to read when their bodies are ready to learn. These articles may be helpful to you:

Article on why young kids’ brains aren’t ready for early reading/writing instruction:
http://www.lilipoh.com/articles/2007..._children.aspx

Reading:
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/...hemselves-read

Here’s an article that discusses how children who start academics at later ages do better in the long run:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/2752895.stm

[Mizelenius]

I would not focus on reading. I'd focus on writing. I'd write, write, write FOR them. Take dictation. Let them read what they've dictated. Write about whatever they want . . .something they want to tell you, lists for the store, etc. Do not force it. Sometimes make it a point to let them see you write (they would stand behind you), but be relaxed about it. Let them take pictures when you go out, and then sometimes print them out and make books (again, take dictation) with them.

One of the things we are doing is a weekly zoo trip. I got special sketchbooks, reserved only for that. DD is sketching animals, and then taking "zookeeper notes" when she feels like it. (Her passion is animals, so this is what she WANTS to do.)

It sounds like your homeschooling was actually a success.

I would be interested in hearing from someone who has actual experience w/working with people with dyslexia. Have you read this? http://www.dyslexia.com/bookstore/giftbook.htm Looks interesting.

[karne]

Dyslexia can tend to run in families. Do you have concerns about dyslexia for your youngest? You can look on the web for a number of early screening tools, but he's still fairly young.

A program such as Barton or Orton Gillingham has proven track records w/kids w/LD's. Kids with dyslexia don't just generally learn to read on their own-they do need support, and often, very direct instruction. One idea would be to use a tutor trained in one of these methods, and do all of the follow up at home, ie, reading aloud together, games, etc. Or, see if you can find a OR training session, or buy Barton.....just some ideas.

One of mine has dyslexia, and what I am learning is to take the long view-the time table for achieveing grade-level reading, or above, is very individual. My child won't put books down now, but you would never have seen that coming in first grade!

BTW, it sounds like the PS didn't make great choices about placing your kids-the current wisdom is to place by age, and provide support, or possibly IEP level intervention as needed-not retain.

Also-Overcoming Dyslexia is a book I have found to be a helpful resource.

[myjo]

BTW, it sounds like the PS didn't make great choices about placing your kids-the current wisdom is to place by age, and provide support, or possibly IEP level intervention as needed-not retain.

I agree. I was really pushing for ds #2 to be placed in his grade level and to be put in the remedial reading program because they have an awsome program here that really works, the Lindamood-Bell program. But now he will always be a grade behind, which he doesn't feel good about.

I was considering the Orton Gillingham program for him just before we decided to place him in public school. As it turns out, we made a decent decision. He's made a lot of progress in school, whereas at home he would fight me tooth and nail about schoolwork every day.

I tried both Unschooling and Charlotte Mason, and I think that's what got us messed up. I didn't follow either philisophy perfectly, we were pretty eclectic. But like Karne said, kids with dyslexia really need a lot of direct instruction or they simply won't learn to read. They don't just pick it up.

Ds #3 is much more compliant than the other two ever were. So homeschooling could possibly be more successful with him. He also doesn't show any of the signs of dyslexia like the other two did. Even so, just to be safe I would like a to try a program built for kids with LDs. I'm afraid he'll be miserable because he would be all by himself, as his brothers go to school. I never really thought that was important when I first started homeschooling because I'm quite introverted and never saw the need for school socialization, but my boys are very unhappy staying home. I know there are homeschooling groups around. I guess I would have to put forth some effort to get him into activities.

I also wanted to comment on delaying reading instruction. I tend to agree that that is probably best, especially for boys. But one has to be extremely dedicated to homeschooling to make that work, because putting a delayed reader into public school in 2nd or 3rd grade can be rather unpleasant. I always thought I would homeschool right through to high school for all my kids. But it just didn't work out. I now see the benefit of making an effort to have them at grade level just in case. I got extremely ill one year and couldn't have homeschooled my kids to save my life. That year, public school was totally necessary. We had them all enrolled in K12 that year and had to send everything back and put the kids in school.