Factors influencing learning to read (Part 5 of 5)

Is Left / Right brain dominance important ?

One day I was reading about brain gym and read about the idea of brain dominance.  Basically we have two hemispheres, the left and right.  In young children these have equal dominance but somewhere around the age of five to seven the two sides argue about who is in charge and one side wins making it the dominant hemisphere.  This is an important step in learning to read.  If there is no dominant hemisphere the brain argues with itself as to who is in charge of this thing called reading.  Once you have brain dominance the brain happily assigns responsibility and learning to read becomes an easier journey.

Easy test for brain hemisphere dominance

• To test for dominance get your student to stand with feet together, arms at side and eyes closed
• Keeping their eyes closed, get your student to Lift their arms shoulder height
• With their eyes still closed get them to bring their hands together in the front but not touching.

 I asked my rose Miss J to do a photo story illustrating the method.

• If dominance has occurred one hand will be slightly higher than the other. 
• If equal dominance is present the hands will be perfectly alined.

Where did all this information leave me ?

I felt so much better equipped to teach my children and more relaxed over reading skills. Learning to read was dependent on so many more factors than me doing daily drills, or the perfect curriculum.

It depends on the individual child's physical, emotional, psychological readiness to read as well as whether or not they have learned the necessary tools to decode the words on the page.

This is bit a small summary of the many and varied reasons for why some take longer than others to learn to read.  There is a ton of information out there today.  This is all I was able to find out 13 years ago.

If you know of anything of interest I would love to hear about it so leave a comment.

A side note: Some children have very special learning needs (such as dyslexia) in their individual path to reading and will cost a lot of time in research but the time invested is so worth the dividend of being their at their personal ah ha moment when all the pieces fall into place and they read to you for the first time.

If you have had an experience with teaching special needs children to read, blog about it and send me the link and I will and add it here.

Other posts you might enjoy
Other posts you might enjoy

• Factors influencing Learning to Read - Part 0.1
• Factors influencing Learning to Read - part 1
• Factors influencing Learning to Read - part 2 
• Factors influencing Learning to Read - part 3
• Factors influencing Learning to Read - part 4

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Factors influencing learning to read (Part 3 of 5)

Does Doing life equip us to read ?

I was reading about some research done with preschool students. Two classes were formed.  One class was taught standard phonics and official school drills the other was taken on school trips to museums, play grounds, theater, had books read to them and did lots of discovering the world around them experiments such as growing beans in class.

If my memory serves me right - after three years each class was divided in half and combined with the other.  So the new class consisted of 50% of each of the original classes. Within three months the students who had done no formal learning to read lessons were reading up to three years above their chronological age.

The reasons touted were that the students who explored the world around themselves had a deeper understanding of vocabulary and a larger bank of vocabulary to draw from.  So when they started learning to read they only had one skill to learn, the skill of decoding the symbols on the page. Most young students are trying to attain a double skill the skill of decoding and the skill of understanding the word they are decoding at the same time. (sorry I can't remember where I read about this research.  If anyone recognizes it please let me know so I can give appropriate credit)

To keep doing life made sense, and did set my mind at ease that what we were doing was making a difference. Whenever I feel a little guilty doing life I remember what Ruth Beechick has to say about it. (Read about it in this blog post: No need to feel guilty !

Practical tools

Time to go back to the tool box. I am sure Sonlight had added some how to books in with my order.  They must be important  ???

I took out my books by Ruth Beechick which Sonlight had graciously added to my order as a thank you gift. I read A home start in Reading. I highly recommend this book (it has now been combined into one book called: The Three R's ).

Ruth did an amazing job of equipping my understanding of how and when to teach phonics, how to know when my student was ready to learn, and how to develop comprehension skills. These little books (now in one book) are worth their weight in gold!

Feeling better equipped we continued with our daily phonics books (Get ready for the code) and sat together reading great books from Sonlight Core K (now called Core A) But I still worried and fretted over the whole thing.

Some tools of interest

• Teaching reading with beginner readers (Sonlight)
• Who wants to be a reader by Homeschool.com
• Phonics vs Whole Language by Succeed to Read 

Factor 3 is becoming equipped with the tools that are needed to teach this precious skill of decoding letters on a page. 

What tools do you have in your tool box ?

Other posts you might enjoy
Other posts you might enjoy

• Factors influencing Learning to Read - Part 0.1
• Factors influencing Learning to Read - part 1
• Factors influencing Learning to Read - part 2 
• Factors influencing Learning to Read - part 4
• Factors influencing Learning to Read - part 5

Factors influencing learning to read (Part 2 of 5)

Philosophies in learning to read

There are two very different camps in the homeschool fraternity: Better late than early and the it's Never too early. 

Better late than Early

"Dr. Raymond Moore and his late wife, Dorothy Moore are probably the best-known advocates of the later-is-better approach. The Moores' 1975 book Better Late Than Early summarizes research supporting their contention that children are not psychologically ready for formal learning until age eight to ten. They suggest that waiting allows children to gain the maturity and logical skills necessary for formal work and prevents them from becoming frustrated and discouraged by attempts to handle material they are simply not yet ready to understand." Quoted from Better late than Early on Homeschool.com To read the complete article go to: Better Late than Early - An Excerpt from: Homeschooling for Success

It's Never too Early

"When learned very young, while the infant brain is still being "wired up", it becomes second nature, another form of language used as fluently as speaking and listening. leave it until the age of five though, when the great spurt of brain growth and making of connections has finished, ..."

"It is for this reason that the so called plasticity of the baby brain must be used to advantage. By helping the growing child to make connections in her growing brain, we ensure that the brain itself is being modified and prepared for life."

The above excerpts are from Little Readers Foundation to read the complete article go to: Why teach very young children to read

Factor number 2 for me came in trying to figure out what what our philosophy was in regards to the right age to start teaching reading and not letting others sway me once I had it in place. Some people are very good at making their case.  If I change my mind every other day then I become a source of insecurity for my children and my homeschool. (James 1:8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.)

Personally I have decided that for each child it is different and it's all about knowing your student.  Some children thrive on early and for others they need to wait.  I found that pushing too early caused more frustration, tears and damaged our relationship.

What works better for you: Earlier?  Later or a mix of both ? More importantly why have you chosen this stance ?

Other posts you might enjoy

• Factors influencing Learning to Read - Part 0.1
• Factors influencing Learning to Read - part 1
• Factors influencing Learning to Read - part 3
• Factors influencing Learning to Read - part 4
• Factors influencing Learning to Read - part 5

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Teaching children to read .....

I started writing about my journey on this topic when after three hours I realized that I had written a very long essay ! So I have decided next week to do a 5 day series of posts called:

Some factors influencing learning to Read

This will not be about the different methods used to teach reading but rather about some of the factors that influence a students ability to learn to read.

I am looking forward to sharing my journey with you, the things that have shaped my philosophy about teaching children to read, and most importantly the things that have helped me relax and enjoy watching my students learn to read.

I am looking forward to hearing what you have all learned on your journeys in teaching reading to your students!

Other posts you might enjoy

• Factors influencing Learning to Read - part 1
• Factors influencing Learning to Read - part 2 
• Factors influencing Learning to Read - part 3
• Factors influencing Learning to Read - part 4
• Factors influencing Learning to Read - part 5 

It's Official

It's official my baby rose Mr N turned six yesterday.  I so enjoyed watching him build his LEGO sets, share time with family and celebrate his special day.

Here in Victoria Australia from the age of six all students need to be registered at either a government school, a private school or as a homeschool student.  We filled in the  official form last week and mailed it to Victorian Registrations & Qualifications Authority.

The act of sending off this form has had me re-reading long lost treasures on my bookshelf and re-evaluating my how's, and why's to what I want to be doing this year.

I have been looking over my Sonlight Curriculum PDF catalogue (55 MB) refreshing my memory of the treasures lurking on my bookshelves that I used 12 years ago with Rose One and Two when I started out and generally trying to organize my thoughts and plans for the year ahead.

I thought I would share one of the books I treasure:

Things We Wish We'd Known 
Compiled & Edited by Bill & Diana Waring

This book is like having a private cup of tea with one of 50 veteran homeschoolers. 

The book is divided into six parts: 

• The Concepts
• The Basics
• The Priorities
• God's Involvement
• Christian Character
• The Blessings 

The back of the book is fully indexed containing a list of the contributors, their email addresses, websites and a short write up about each company / homeschool family.  


It's a real treasure trove of encouragement, tried and true words of wisdom from pioneering homeschool families from around the globe.
You can find this book at Diana Waring Presents and if you would like to read Diana's introduction you can go here
For a look at the contents page you can go to Table of Contents and for a sneak peak you can go to Featured excerpt from Things we wish we'd known

Till next time
Officially beginning our journey for the THIRD time

10 Days of ....

I was busy poking around in Confessions of a Home Schooler when I stumbled upon her 10 Days of Homeschool Enrichment.  What a wonderful idea :)  After a little more poking around I found the following and just had to share it with you.

10 days of socialization for mom | The Homeschool Chick
10 days of classical education | Milk & Cookies
10 days of large families | Chocolate on My Cranium
10 days of special needs | Special Needs Homeschooling
10 days of struggling learners | Homeschooling the Chaotic Family
10 days of homeschooling girls | Homegrown Mom
10 days of homeschool enrichment | Confessions of a Homeschooler
10 days of building a spiritual legacy | Mommy Missions
10 days of frugal homeschooling |The Happy Housewife
10 days of Charlotte Mason | Our JourneyWestward
10 days of unschooling | Homeschooling Belle
10 days of organization | Confessions of an Organized Homeschool Mom
10 days of getting started | Blog, She Wrote
10 days of homeschooling boys | The Tie That Binds Us
10 days of homeschooling Montessori |  Fruit in Season
10 days of preschool |  Delightful Learning

I have tried to link these directly to where the relevant posts are.  The 10 Days Journey happened in February 2011 if the link does not work search this time frame in each blog for the information you are after.




Happy surfing .....


Please note:  I do not necessarily agree with or adhere to any or all of the above posts.  These links have been posted for your interest only.  Take what ever you need to grow your homeschool and leave the rest.

Are you getting filled up because you are pouring out ....

As some of you may know I have been at a ladies retreat this past weekend.  One of the questions Reba asked us was:  "Are you getting filled up because you are pouring out ?"
This question really impacted me. It was one of those Ah ha moments.
 I have been feeling very 'flat' of late and life was starting to become flatter by the day. I was generally  living in survival mode.  I should know better since I often ask my circle of homeschool mothers "What are you doing daily to recharge yourselves ?" Yet somehow in the busyness of life I had forgotten to apply to myself what I was encouraging my friends to do.  Even my precious Mother had been asking me.  "When are you going to slow down ???"

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Karen Andreola introduced me to: Mother Culture (Trade Marked and Registered to Karen Andreola) Mothers should cultivate their souls so that in turn they may cultivate the souls of their children.

In Chapter 46 Karen expounds on the how's and why's of Mother Culture. Here is a snippet to whet your appetite for this wonderful resource.

"Is it a wonder she feels overspent?  She wears herself out. In her efforts to be dietitian, laundress, nurse, hostess, teacher, taxi driver, wife, mother, and mistress, she forgets that she needs a little time for herself.  And it is then that she stops growing spiritually and mentally,  Physically she feels ragged and drags through the day until without being able to mark the hour it befan, she lives with depression. Her mind is in a drifting fog when she wants it to think clearly and efficiently. With the distractions of her multi-faceted duties she is unable to follow a train of thought. She considers herself hompelessly behind in everything.  Her feet are in the quagmire. It takes an incredible amount of effort to keep up appearances, to wear a winsome countenance.  The last straw is the guilt she feels that she is "lukewarm" in the Lord. If I hadn't experienced these symptoms myself I wouldn't be writing this chapter.  Therefore I can validate the need for Mother Culture." - Karen Andreola

This was the third homeschool book I ever invested in.  It is one of my favourite treasure troves.  I often pick this book up. Whenever I need some clarification on how something works or the practicle application of a certain aspect of homeschooling such as the how and why of Narration this is the book I turn to.  Karen has done such a wonderful job in opening her home and allowing us in to see how to do something and why she is doing it.  The book is full of beautiful line drawings from a bygone era which evokes a feeling and appreciation for the wonderful opportunity I have as a Mother who has the awesome priviledge of staying home full time and educating my children.

You can read more about Mother Culture Here or if you would like to read Karen's blog you can go to http://momentswithmotherculture.blogspot.com/

A Charlotte Mason Companion is available from www.bookdepository.co.uk, www.fishpond.com.au , and for a look inside you can go to www.amazon.com

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A few years into my homeschool journey I met Diana Waring at a homeschool conference in Christchurch, New Zealand. 

Diana has written a wonderful book titled: Beyond Survival.  As you can see from the state of the cover of my book it is a well loved book in my home. 

This book contains many wondeful chapters to equip you on your homeschool journey.  It is divided into three parts: The Preparation, The Journey and The Abundance.  Within these you will find information on learning and teaching styles, Learning together, Creating an atmosphere, The tools, The Materials, to name but a few. 

For a look at the table of Contents go Here

If you would like to read Cathy Duffy's  foreword you can go Here

This book is available from www.dianawaring.com and  www.bookdepository.co.uk .

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I have just received
The Ministry of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson in the mail.  What a wonderful book.  I am really looking forward to reading this treasure.

Here is what it says on the back:  Because Motherhood Isn't Just a Job. It's a Calling. 

A mother's day is packed with a multitude of tasks that require energy and time: preparing meals, wahsing clothes, straightening and cleaning the house, and carinf for chidlren. These jobs all are necessary and crucially important. But in the dailyness of providing for a child's physical, emotional, and social needs, vital opportunities for spiritual nurturing and training can be overlooked.

Rather than letting the demands of life determine your parenting priorities, you can focus your energy on what matters most. In this encouraging and empowering book you'll learn how to .......

• make life's mundane and nitty-gritty moments work for you and not against you.
• incorporate character-building as a natual part of life
• teach your child in the same way Jesus taught the disciples
• pass on crucial fits that will serve your family for a lifetime.

This book is available from www.koorong.com.au,   www.bookdepository.co.uk,  or www.fishpond.com.au

For those of you wanting to read Sally's blog you can find her at I take Joy and on Facebook.

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Currently Good Morning Girls is using this book for their Book Club  and working their way through it week by week.  You can download a weekly S.O.A.P (Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer point) page to use alongside the book from Here.  or you can join the Facebook group Here

I found a wonderful blog page at www.noordinarymomentsblog.com and for those of you who are keen to partake in a forum while reading the book you can find one at  Homeschool Creations Community

I am looking forward to 'getting filled up' over the next few weeks.   :)  Till next time my friends take care

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Education

I've been on this journey for fourteen years now and decided to research the current and past definitions for the word education. I am astonished by how much a word can change in a relatively small amount of time. In the space of 183 years the definition has become: 

•  the act or process of imparting or acquiring particular knowledge or skills, as for a profession.
•  the act or process of imparting or acquiring general knowledge, developing the powers of reasoning and judgment, and generally of preparing oneself or others intellectually for mature life.
•  a degree, level, or kind of schooling

Back in Websters Dictionary of 1828 the definition was as follows:

•  The bringing up, as of a child, instruction; formation of manners. Education comprehends all that series of instruction and discipline which is intended to enlighten the understanding, correct the temper, and form the manners and habits of youth, and fit them for usefulness in their future stations. To give children a good education in manners, arts and science, is important; to give them a religious education is indispensable; and an immense responsibility rests on parents and guardians who neglect these duties

This little exercise has reminded me of my responsibility as a parent, gaurdian and teacher of my children.  I must confess I have become rather complacent and comfortable in my little rut here in my little corner no longer reaching, growing, asking, evaluating.  I think it's time I began to grow again.


One of the first books I ever read on the topic of Homeschooling is:
For the Children's Sake by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay (first published in 1984).  This book I am pleased to say is back in print and available from
The Book Depository, Amazon and Christian Book.com
Susan challenged some of the fundamental beliefs I had and the suprising thing is I was not even aware I had them until I read the book.  For the Children's Sake has six chapters and is 158 pages. I was introduced to Charlotte Mason in this book and really loved the idea of twaddle free books. 

The idea of real books as a basis of education really apealed and still appeals to me today, and thus began my search for a curriculum that contained 'living' books.  Books that would touch our lives for years to come, books that were not dead, books that were real and did not leave us treading water going nowhere.  My goal this week is to read this book again and see what it was that impacted me so profoundly all those years ago.

Fourteen years ago I had no internet available to me, but I had the greatest resource available to me, I had enthusiastic homeschool moms and excellent books to read. 

Those were the only sources of information available to me and snail mail.  Oh the joy of receiving a thick envelope in the mail with a new catalogue.  I do so miss the feel and smell of real paper, the delight of opening an envelope that did not contain an invoice and the pleasure of a quiet cup of tea and my newly arrived homeschool resource book.  I still have a few of these books and will blog more about where you can obtain these wonderful treasures from later .

Till later my friends when I will expand upon  For the Children's sake.