Every time I think I know what to order.....

hugsathome · Post by **hugsathome** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 12:27 pm

Hi Everyone!

I need some direction.......every time I think I know what to order, I start questioning my reasoning.

I believe my son is a visual-spatial learner. See this link for a description. http://www.gifteddevelopment.com/Visual ... er/vsl.htm

He is 9 and just finished 3rd grade with Rod and Staff. He does very well in Science, History, general knowledge...BUT...does not do well with Spelling, writing, and memorization in math. He cannot spell well at all. I switched to Squential Spelling (which seems to be helping). He can remember the most detailed, lengthy information on a unique species of animal , yet cannot remember how to spell the most common words or capitalize the first word in a sentence.

We did Rod and Staff for English last year and I added lots of copy writing. He still struggles in these areas. I Just had him tested for the completion of third grade and the evaluator seemed to think he is visual spatial.

It is such a struggle to get him through the most basic schoolwork (which I know is a characteristic of VS), but he devours all things Science, History, general knowledge everywhere.

Sooooooo, for fourth grade...what do I do??

Should I do Preparing even though his Spelling, Writing and Math facts suffer so much?

netpea · Post by **netpea** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 2:28 pm

I would vote for Bigger, you can always add more read alouds from the extension pack to add more history and science since he is strong in those and the LA part should be more his level.

Melanie · Post by **Melanie** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 2:46 pm

Do you plan to use Singapore?? I think I'd pick the program that best matches his math, writing and spelling. Since those are his weak areas....you want to have him be challenged, but not frustrated. Just from looking at the samples of Preparing, do you think he could handle that amount of writing??? I think there are 3 levels of dictation in Preparing, so you could pick the easiest for him and go from there, and I think you could adapt the math, but the writing seems to be a key component in Preparing, and I think you'd want him to be able to handle that.

I do think that Bigger with the extension pack would be great for 4th grade, and would help ease him into the writing he would need to be able to handle in Preparing.

Decisions, decisions......

hugsathome · Post by **hugsathome** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 2:59 pm

Thanks for the comments.

I'm not sure what math to do. I used Math U See last year which is suppose to be good for right-brained kids.

I'm a little afraid of the writing in Preparing. I've always made him write, but it definitely is not his "thing". His spelling is terrible, which makes the writing suffer!!!

Carly · Post by **Carly** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 3:35 pm

Which writing in Preparing?
From the R/Staff english or copywork?

Carly

hugsathome · Post by **hugsathome** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 4:01 pm

Good Question!!!!

I did Rod And Staff 3 last year for third grade. That was fine, but he still has a hard time writing sentences because his spelling is so bad. I did copywriting mostly from the Bible and Little House on the Prairie books. I also gave him questions to answer in 5 sentences. He greatly struggles in this area.

my3sons · Post by **my3sons** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 7:40 pm

Well, your son sounds like he has some favorite school subjects, and some not-so-favorite school subjects - also he has some areas he's shown he's very talented in, and others aren't as strong. Hooray! He is totally normal, and you do not need to get overly worried about the areas that are not as much his thing.

We just finished doing Bigger Hearts... and it was WONDERFUL! I think you'd love doing Bigger... with him. He's totally in the right age range for it, and it will do a great job of getting him ready for Preparing... I would not add in anything more to the spelling, copywork, or math in Bigger... I would do them as they are written. If you like the math you are doing, you could certainly sub that in - otherwise, I'd have him take the Singapore Math placement test on their website, and then you'd know where to place him there. I would place him wherever he tests and work from there.

Also, R & S English 3 is hard, and English 4 is harder! I think if you do R & S English 4, you should definitely take 2 years to do it, and probably hold off on the writing projects in R & S English 4 until the next year or a later date even.

Now, in the area of history - I think you could look at adding the extension pack if you want - or not. You'll have to decide if that would be something he'd enjoy doing independently, and if he wouldn't just don't do it. Right now, I'd say the number one goal is to make your ds feel confident about school and help him shine in the areas he's already strong in, and grow in the areas that are more of a struggle. This is a constant consideration at our house, and I can tell from your heartfelt explanation of your ds that you know him and his needs very well. Whether you choose to do this option I've described or not, I do think HOD is a great place for you and your ds to be! You will enjoy whatever HOD program you choose. Please keep asking questions and sharing your thoughts here. We love to help one another out here!

In Christ,
Julie

Post by **Carrie** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 8:55 am

hugsathome,

I would say that the ladies are giving you very wise advice! I agree that the most important areas on the placement chart are reading, writing, math, and language arts. So, with that in mind, your son is definitely placing in "Bigger...". Your son will need the language arts and math skills from "Bigger..." to do "Preparing..." well.

I would do the copywork, and either spelling or studied dictation as written in "Bigger...". Even if the words or passages look easy I would do them as written. He is going to need the practice of visualizing the words spelled correctly in his mind, which is a skill that poor spellers struggle with.

I would also have him do a portion of copywork daily from the poem in "Bigger..." and expect it to be done perfectly. The CM-stance on this is that a little bit done very well is better than a lot done poorly. So, he needs to get into the habit of doing less writing better. Then, you can move into the more writing required in "Preparing..." the following year.

As far as English goes, you can continue on into Rod and Staff 4, if you desire, but I agree that doing it at half-speed (and mostly orally or on the white board is a good idea). One other very low-key option for English/writing practice would be the Queen's Language Lessons for the Elementary Child. I only suggest this as a possibility for this year for your son, because going onward with the level of English in Rod and Staff 4 isn't necessary until your son has had a chance to gain a higher level of spelling and copywork skills. The Queen's Language Lessons would overlap a bit with the skills in "Bigger...", but it might not hurt to double-dose your son in a few areas. Just something to consider. Then, you could pick back up with Rod and Staff next year.

Last, if you felt your son needed "Bigger.." beefed up a bit, you could always add the Extension Package (which he could read to himself as scheduled if he is a strong reader. If not, you could always read them to him if you wish to go that route).

Let us know what you're thinking if you get a chance.

Blessings,
Carrie

hugsathome · Post by **hugsathome** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 5:25 pm

Hi Carrie (and Everyone),

Thank you so much!!!!! I feel much better. I'm really excited about the new school year. I loved your advice and I think this year will be a turning point in our homeschooling journey. I'm excited about new possibilities and actually "enjoying" school. Wow.

Post by **Carrie** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 9:30 pm

hugsathome,

I'm excited for you too! I'm so glad the ladies and I were able to help you!

Blessings,
Carrie