Adventures in Mama-Land

  So did I mention we’re homeschooling again? At least for the summer.  Does that make me the kind of wannabe / poseur I hate?  Or an earnest parent trying hard to make something work during weird, transitional times… I’m not sure what the answer is, but I thought I’d share a quick update on how things are going this summer with our “homeschooling / summerschooling” plans.  (It was originally going to be quick – sorry!!) It remains to be seen whether we’re going to do this long-term.  But the truth is, it feels very good.  Very, very good. In some areas, we’re picking up exactly where we left off.  But mostly, things slipped a lot during the year.  The only area in which both kids are further ahead (besides Hebrew!) is math. I had a few clear criteria before we started:

  In an effort to raise my kids to be total morons, I long ago renamed the simple “bingo dabber” as a “dot-dot marker” and like most baby names for things, it seems to have stuck.  These ones are actual name-brand Do-a-Dot Markers , which look  more wholesome because they have the name of the colour written on them, but really (shh) – any brand, even the dollar-store ones, will do. I use these with Gavriel Zev when (we need) / (he wants) to work on something and he doesn’t feel like writing, which is almost NEVER.  He is starting to draw, and will trace a letter that I have drawn, but really would rather not if he doesn’t have to… so I don’t push. Because of how much Naomi and I have loved doing Explode the Code, I bought the three “pre” books – Get Ready (Book A), Get Set (Book B), and Go for the Code (Book C) – a while ago and was waiting for the right time to start… which arrived a while ago, like back in October, I just haven’t had a chance to mention it....

A couple of people have been asking on the boards, as I was at this time last year, how to transition from phonics to spelling.  The assumption out there in education-land seems to be that phonics is baby stuff and spelling is how big kids learn.  Maybe they’re thinking of BOB Books and their ilk.  Since our disappointing experience with Spelling Workout earlier this year, and our return to Explode the Code, I have realize that this popular perception is not necessarily the case.  Why would they make Explode the Code books all the way up to level 8 and beyond – at least to a Grade Four level – if phonics becomes irrelevant (or less important) the minute a child is reading somewhat successfully? In fact, it’s only now that Naomi’s reading fairly well that the phonics rules are starting to make sense, and Explode the Code guides her gently through understanding and navigating the maze that is spelling in English. The only thing I really liked about Spelling Workou...

Just came across this site, and I thought I’d share it:  Primarily Reading , by retired teacher Gloria Lapin. As a FREE alternative to Bob Books and other primary readers, I like the fact that the site offers both phonics-based and (Dolch) sight word-based easy readers available for download in both PDF and my new favourite, ePub format for your eReader!!!  (like my Kobo) No waiting for books to arrive, just download and go…. and it’s FREE.  There are a few super-cheap ebooks for sale on the site as well, as well as links to other items for sale. These look like a perfect easy read for Naomi Rivka – as well, possibly, as a decent beginning-read for Gavriel Zev.  The site also has games, activities and suggestions for beginning readers. If you’re looking for something a little more comprehensive (beginner to advanced), and still free, you could also try Progressive Phonics – but those materials aren’t available in ePub yet; only PDF for the time being. ...

If your preschooler desperately WANTS to do phonics worksheets and has the knowledge to do them easily, but lacks the patience and writing skills to sit drawing X’s or O’s around the correct answers, try a bingo marker! That way, he can just “dab” the right answers and be finished even a very involved page (like this 4x3) in seconds!           The only drawback is that the marker tends to wreck the reverse side of the sheets.