Handwriting and Spelling advice needed

[khbmom]

when ds (7) did his testing this year, the tester had several suggests. DS has held the pencil too tight for a long time, so she suggested we use pencil grips (we got them and he's using them) Writing is slow for him and at times is not as neat as it should be. She also said that he should not do copy work, that he would get enough practice from writing his spelling words. I have continued his copy work, but at a slower pace and it isn't any neater, and may be worse. We're using BLHFHG and consider him 2nd grade based on when we did K - I had planned on starting cursive next year, but the tester said we shouldn't move him to cursive under any circumstances. I have noticed that when ds writes a letter or makes a list (isn't "thinking" about it) his writing is much neater, easier to read. I would love your input.

This was our first year of testing and he placed where dh thought he would, but some of the observations I found troubling. She suggested we move to a spelling program with phonics (he placed in 1.5 grade). We didn't do spelling last year, to give him time to improve on reading - maybe a mistake, but this year I tested him on the level 1 words (over several weeks in the fall) and he got all of them 100% up until mid year, so we used list 2 until then and then switched back to list 1. I was planning on beginning next year where we left off and then moving to dictation for spelling. A little background, we started K with a program that was not right for him at all (it included cursive in K) - and I kept plugging until mid year, when I scrapped it and started over with what I could find locally. So, the next year we called 1st grade, and started in LHFHG. So really, his K year was not only a wash, but somethings had to be undone. The tester did say that if looked at his scores as a first grader then he did really well. We used WJIII. I do NOT feel that we should move from HOD - it is a blessing from God for our family, I am just unsure about some areas, especially writing and spelling.

I apologize for the ramble. Thank you for the chance to discuss this in a loving place. Oh, DH doesn't feel we should pay any attention to the testing, I just want to make sure we do what's right for ds for next year.

Amanda
3boys 14, 7, 4

[annaz]

First, boys tend to be at a slower rate with writing and neatness. Second, he’s only 7. I’m with your husband on this one. Every time I think of parents taking their kids in for testing, it makes me cringe. It’s like society looks for a reason to find a child with an issue, just because they’re not doing what every one else does, when everyone else does. It’s that old standards thing we simply can’t get away from. “He’s not reading, writing, etc. as fast as, or as well as, or as soon as….” This simply seems like readiness. He’s only 7! He’s doing things he may not be ready for. Everything is learned in time and in steps. I think you’re fine. No child learns anything at the same time in the same way at the same age. Just like some kids grow tall right away and some grow years later, the brain is the same way. Relax and enjoy hs-ing!

[happy@home]

I agree with Annaz!!

I have tried three times to put into words what I wanted to say, but it just isn't working!

So ditto what Annaz said!!

You are doing a great job!!


Robbin

[khbmom]

Thank you, Ladies. I will continue with his copy work daily, but with reduced amount.

Any thoughts on the spelling? I'm thinking dictation after we finish list 2 will be just fine for him.

I know what you mean about the testing, but in our state it is required yearly once they turn 7. It IS good that the state only requires that we do it and keep it for a year, I think. They occasionally as you to send the results in, but that is as far as it goes.

Amanda

[ncmomof5]

Amanda,

I don't know if you have heard of it, but I am using and really enjoying All About Spelling. I have an 8 year old who doesn't learn as quickly as everyone else, and All About Spelling has helped him a lot with reading, spelling, and writing. It does includes phonics and it's very open and go making it super nice for Mom!

Just wanted to throw that out there for ya.

[Carrie]

Amanda,

The ladies are doing a good job of talking through some possible ideas with you. Since you mentioned being unsure about the areas of writing and spelling in Beyond, I'm wanting to pop in and fully explain why your child's test results actually make sense at this juncture. First, I'm a bit confused about the sequence of what you've done with your child in the past (which definitely sheds light on his current test results). I'm thinking that you went through several different programs in his K year and then moved on to LHFHG for his grade 1 year? Then, after completing LHFHG, he moved into Beyond for the current year in grade 2 (which I'm not sure how far into this program he is right now)?

So, if I am not completely confused, then it makes sense where your son tested in spelling, as LHFHG does not contain any spelling and only has kiddos learning to write their letters (if it is used as a beginning option for learning to write), and Beyond begins spelling and writing words and sentences (depending on which levels you choose). We cannot expect him to be able to spell well after only a portion of this year doing spelling within Beyond. Spelling is a progression that takes time to work through although some kiddos are more natural spellers than others. Spelling is not a body of knowledge to pour into a child, meaning it cannot be rushed. It is a skill that takes time to learn and requires the child to be in the habit of capturing and fixing the correct word images within the mind (along with already knowing the phonics rules from the progress they have already been through with years of phonics). Rules are helpful within spelling, but to a point.

With giving the methods within Beyond only a portion of the school year to work, we cannot expect to see the gains that would take your child to grade 2 level spelling in that amount of time (unless your child happened to be a natural speller). Copywork is part of the two-pronged approach that is so helpful for correct spelling. If your child is unable to do short amounts of copywork correctly, we would instead suggest using A Reason for Handwriting A along with Beyond, until your child comes along in the copywork department. Doing very short amounts of copywork correctly and neatly (either through A Reason for Handwriting or copywork of the poetry) are the requirements for copywork. Copywork also helps build the muscles needed for better fine motor skills. Just as when any of our muscles are not used, they are not strong nor is control over the muscle there either. Continued copywork in short segments will build the muscles and the control over the pencil. By no means should copywork be given up, unless the child has a disability that prevents copying at all.

As with all testing, it is necessary to take both the test results and the tester's comments with a grain of salt. Educating your child is not a one-year event, it is a life-long progression. While I fully understand the need for some testing, it's good to remember the progress your child has made this year. All children will have areas that are not their strong suits. Yet, if your child walked away from testing with the only two areas of concern being pencil grip and spelling a part of a year behind grade level (which is very common in the early years of spelling progress), then your child is doing very well. Progressing 1.5 grade levels within less than one school year of spelling instruction is very good, especially if the child is a new speller. Rushing the process won't hustle the result where spelling is concerned. It's also good to note that when you change methods and find that a "new" method is suddenly showing progress with your child, this is often the progress from the previous method that is now bearing fruit. All fruit takes time to ripen and results are not immediate. Just a few thoughts as you ponder the best course for your child.

Blessings,
Carrie

[khbmom]

Carrie,
Thank you so much for taking time to respond.
We began K using Abeka with cursive, in Jan. of that year, I put away their phonics and writing. At that point I began using BOB books along with Hooked on phonics, continued with Abeka math and picked up a workbook to use for writing. I also spent that spring researching methods of learning, and found we were very much CM, which lead me to look at MFW and others. I remember at the convention that year I looked at a lot, including MFW, I'm trying to remember if you were in Winston that year, I want to say yes, but that either I missed you or maybe had to go and couldn't wait in line (I didn't have much time that year) Anyway, I was 'chatting' with the homeschooling moms on another site, I mentioned that MFW was the best fit, but something was holding me back. A mom recommend HOD - and after checking your site with dh and praying, we knew HOD was an answer to prayers. You were so sweet - you helped me place ds during a phone call!

So, for 1st we used LHFHG, with A Reason For "A" and continued HOP, felt we had a great year. This year for 2nd, we've moved to Beyond, using the emergent readers, and the poems for copy work. We started Unit 26 today. His writing is legible, some days neater than others, but most always correct. I have probably had him do too much at times. Friday afternoon, in casual conversation, I asked why his writing was so neat on what he was working on (a list of stuff he wants to read - working on it on his own, occasionally asking how to spell something) He said "I don't worry about this being perfect, so I'm not, you know, nervous and shaking." Ok - so my response was "From now on do your copy work like you do this - we don't need perfect, just neat"

After prayer, talking to dh and telling myself to stop 'over thinking' I do feel like he is exactly where he should be. That test, while required, is not an intelligence test, and does not determine how smart my little boy is. I know why I took this they way I did, our oldest is special needs, and the results hit a raw nerve. I do believe that the right course for ds for next year is to complete the spelling lists we haven't done, and then move on as Bigger directs us to. To your point, he doesn't seem to be a natural speller, and well, neither am I - my dictionary and now spell check have always been good friends. Oh, I didn't mention math, because the only issue with his math score was money, which we hadn't covered to the degree as he was tested on. We are using Singapore and we're on 2B.

I hope I've been a little clearer, but I do apologize if I haven't been clear enough sometimes I ramble...
Thank you, Carrie and all the ladies who have been so encouraging and helpful to me.

Amanda

[Carrie]

Amanda,

Thanks for taking time to respond! I truly appreciate the fuller picture. It does sound like your little guy is progressing well and that he is fairly typical in neatness (from the perspective of a mom with 4 boys of her own)! I think you need to feel good about his progress and stay the course with the spelling and later the move into dictation. I would also move toward less copywork and require it to be done well (without going over the top in expectations).

I know what you mean about testing hitting a nerve, as I sat across from literally hundreds of parents, through my years of public school teaching, explaining test scores and the grain of salt that the results need to be interpreted with as parents look over results. In those situations, I always felt blessed to know the children personally and to be able to intelligently discuss their test results based on an entire year of being with and teaching the children I was testing. I mention that because it's important to always remember that any tester in a homeschool situation, is an "outside" tester or one who has not spent time with your child in the day-to-day. So, the outside tester's observations are based purely on the test results and based only on the time spent in the testing situation (definitely not a full picture of your child's abilities and God-given strengths or areas of weakness). So, be encouraged that it sounds to me like your child's test results are on target based on what he's been taught so far and that your little guy is gaining well. You know your child best and are your child's best teacher! You're doing a great job!

Blessings,
Carrie

[khbmom]

Thank you, Carrie.

Amanda