Writing is the primary basis upon which your work, your learning, and your intellect will be judged—in college, in the workplace, and in the community.
Most homeschooling parents want their child to write well. The problem is, according to responses from the Homeschool Sanity Facebook community, many parents don’t know how to teach their child to write. The problem may be:
The parent didn’t learn to write well. Parents’ own education was inadequate or they needed special tutoring that they didn’t get.
The parent is a natural writer. It’s difficult to teach the fundamentals of a skill that seems second-nature. Some of us need help breaking it down for our kids.
The child is resistant. A physical or learning disability gets in the way. There’s a psychological resistance of unknown origin. Or the curriculum or approach used has been rejected.
Whatever the reason for finding writing instruction a challenge, this is the simplest and best solution:
Encourage Your Child to Read
Research studies have found a relationship between reading skills and time spent reading and writing skills. While studies do not indicate that explicit writing instruction isn’t needed, there is clear evidence that the best way to teach your child to write is to teach them to read. Then encourage them to read often.
Reading teaches your child use of language, grammar, and punctuation. As this Huffington Post article suggests, it’s foolish to expect our children to be good writers if they aren’t good readers. It’s like expecting your child to be a great musician when they do not listen to music.
My son became very proficient in Spanish in part by watching movies in Spanish and listening to Spanish music. When I asked him if I could speak fluently by just doing that, he laughed. It takes more than that. Learning to write is the same. Children need instruction in writing that will amplify the benefits of reading.
Grammar Galaxy, my beginning language arts curriculum, encourages children to read daily and motivates them to write, too. Learn more at GrammarGalaxyBooks.com.
I received this product at no charge and was compensated for my time. All opinions are my own. I do not recommend products I would not use or recommend to friends.
I love audiobooks. They are a great way of passing the time whether you are traveling or doing chores. They build vocabulary and reading skills, too. But I’ve had a hard time finding audiobooks that hold my children’s interest.
I have to admit that I was nervous about listening to audio dramas from Heirloom Audio. I thought maybe they were for those homeschooled kids who love listening to anything because their parents won’t let them watch TV. That wouldn’t be my kids. And I had a real challenge on my hands when I wanted to listen to the first set of CDs called In Freedom’s Cause. My 14-year-old son was going to be in the car with me. He gives almost everything low marks. He is like Mikey from the old commercial who shocked his family by liking Life cereal.
My Family’s Reaction to Heirloom Audio
I knew that Heirloom audios were produced by the former writer and director of Adventures in Odyssey. My boys did enjoy those. They listened to them in a CD player in their bedroom at night. I had listened to them with my older boys. My youngest two boys had recently asked me to give away their CD player because they were done with all the audios they had. Adventures in Odyssey definitely appeals to a younger crowd. I was worried that my 14-year-old would be insulted by the audio. “This is for little kids!” I was sure he would say. My planned response was, “Then let your younger brother enjoy it.”
I loved the movie Braveheart, the story of William Wallace, but have never considered letting my children watch it. I am not squeamish, but the amount of blood in that movie was much too much for me. I thought it would be great if they could hear the story without the violence. I was in a rush to get on the road, so I popped the CD into our car’s player and started listening with the boys. I was shocked both by what I heard and what I didn’t hear.
First, I couldn’t believe the quality of these audios. I produce a podcast, so I know how challenging good audio is. The musical score was like that of the finest movie you would see in a theater. And no wonder. I later learned that the soundtrack was composed by Emmy-winning composer John Campbell, who also composed the original score for The Chronicles of Narnia. The sound effects communicated the story as well as a movie, but without the visuals. And the acting? Absolutely amazing. I’ve done some acting and I’ve given accents a try. I couldn’t believe the authenticity of the Scottish accents in In Freedom’s Cause. If I had read the actors’ credits on the CD cases of all the Heirloom audios before beginning to listen, I wouldn’t have been shocked. They include: The Lord of the Rings, Mom’s Night Out, Rudy, Fireproof, Star Wars, Tarzan, The Hobbit, and more. Click HERE to hear the actors recording and discussing this audio.
I was also shocked that I didn’t hear any complaints from the back seat. In fact, I heard silence until we got back into the car to return home from our visit. “Turn it back on!” my 14-year-old insisted. We didn’t finish In Freedom’s Cause in one trip, so when only my 14-year-old was going to be traveling with us two days later, he insisted on finishing it, even though my youngest would have to listen separately. For his part, my 10-year-old told me, “You need to give it a good review. It’s great!”
After our first trip listening, I told the boys that their father would enjoy the CD. I didn’t think about it again until my husband returned from an all-day trip in the car the CD was in. He told me he had turned on the radio and the William Wallace audio had come on. Even though he was in the middle of the story, he told me he was hooked. He listened to the rest. He was thrilled when I told him I had more. “I can’t wait to listen to With Lee in Virginia,” he told me. I agree. If my kids didn’t like these audios, I would listen to them myself.
Why Heirloom Audios are Better Than Audiobooks
So you’ve gotten the idea that we like Heirloom Audio’s dramas. But why do I say they are better than audiobooks?
#1 They are more engaging
The music, the multiple actors, and the quality sound effects capture kids’ attention better than standard audiobooks. Kids who don’t like traditional audiobooks are likely to love these audios. They appeal to a wider age range. The company says they’re appropriate for ages 6 to adult and I agree. I think they will especially appeal to boys, who can be much harder to engage with audiobooks. When you hear the sword being drawn and men in battle, boys in particular will stay with the story.
#2 They teach history
You can certainly find audiobooks that teach history, but I haven’t found any of this quality that teach children. I love learning history through biographical stories. That’s exactly how Heirloom Audio teaches. The Dragon and the Raven teaches about King Alfred of Wessex. I don’t remember who he is, so I need to listen! Under Drake’s Flag is about Sir Frances Drake. The Spanish Inquisition will come to life for you and your children.
#3 They inspire faith
Most audiobooks do not have a Christian worldview. Those that do usually don’t go beyond “God loves you.” In Freedom’s Cause dealt with the importance of God’s Word in a believer’s life, why we shouldn’t take revenge, and why bad things happen to good people. I know many adults who could benefit from these lessons. The most powerful way of teaching our children the faith after our own example is through story.
#4 They include study guides
Each audio drama includes a study guide. It was from the study guide for In Freedom’s Cause that I learned more about G.A. Henty, who wrote the book about Wallace and Bruce. I also got to see a statue of William Wallace. And I was very impressed with the guide itself. Questions to help your child listen and understand are included. You could take breaks on a long trip to discuss what you’ve heard or after lunchtime listening session. Excellent discussion questions about faith and character are also included. Even more impressive are the vocabulary word lists, maps, and research assignments that take the learning deeper.
I always think we will do school in the car, especially when we are on a big road trip. These dramas make that possible and without complaints!
Now You Can Save Big on Heirloom Audio
You’re going to want to get a copy of all these CDs that are also downloadable, especially with the special offer that’s available to my readers. You will get 67% off retail. That’s amazing, considering that they are worth every penny of the retail price. I hope you’ll order today.
I can’t wait to get started on another audio in the car tonight!
People have mixed reactions to my blog name (and social media handle). Some people think I’m a scary person. When I comment on Periscope, people don’t want to refer to me as Psycho. That’s understandable. Many people laugh. Today I want to tell you the story behind the name.
Years ago I had mom friends who chatted online using instant messenger. Can you tell how long ago that was? I wanted to come up with a funny handle for myself.
Psycho
I tried to incorporate the fact that I am a psychologist. I’m a clinical psychologist who started practicing in a Christian practice. As the only female psychologist, I saw every kind of client. I really enjoyed working as part of a team when we had an inpatient unit. I enjoyed outpatient less because there was so little time for professional interaction. It made this sanguine lady lonely.
When I was pregnant with my first, I asked to go part-time, which my supervisor was glad to accommodate. I thought that would be the perfect situation. But then my baby kept getting ear infections from being in daycare, even part-time. I constantly had to cancel appointments. So I decided to work just two evenings a week. When my second son was born, I quit completely.
People often tell me that I can go back to counseling when I’m done homeschooling. But I don’t see myself doing that. When I was pregnant with my first baby, I taught psychology at the university and I absolutely loved it. Teaching is my first love: teaching my own children and now teaching through this blog, my podcast, social media, and conferences.
With 6
I had just had my sixth baby when I created the handle. The truth is I wasn’t nearly as psycho with six as I had been with three. I had three children ages three and under, one of which had a difficult temperament. I had no older children to help me.
The fourth, fifth, and sixth babies were relatively easy. But I’ve had my share of challenging times. You may want to read why I’ll never be a perfect homeschooler. After prayer, my coping strategy of choice for dealing with the demands of parenting and homeschooling a large family is humor. So many of the things I thought were disastrous when the kids were little now just seem funny. I wish I hadn’t wasted so much anxiety on them.
Now I hope to bring that perspective to moms in the trenches. I share from a psychologist’s, veteran homeschooling mom’s perspective. But I also share from my heart. I would love to have you subscribe so you won’t miss a post.
I love this guest post by Amy Michaels. Amy offers a whole course on teaching reading as well as choosing curriculum, teaching gifted kids, and much more as part of her THRIVE Homeschooling Academy. If you are a new homeschooler or need help creating a homeschool that works for your family, I highly recommend it.
When teaching your child to read, do you know that one of the most important components of reading is often overlooked?
Yes, phonics are important.
Decoding unknown words is absolutely a valuable set of skills.
Reading fluently can boost someone’s confidence.
However, there is something that is even more important when teaching your child to read.
Know what it is?
It is simply this: discussing what you think and learn from a book can make all the difference between a mediocre reader and a reading enthusiast.
Why Conversational Reading is So Important
When we take the time to talk about what we read with our children, powerful thinking and learning happens.
As adults, we know this. We start conversations with, “I am reading the BEST book!” and we share what great insights have inspired us. We have book clubs to expand our knowledge and discussion our “ah-HA!” moments with our friends. We highlight our favorite passages, dog-ear pages, and swap books with friends who share our interests.
Why?
When we share our thinking about what we read, we engage the brain to exchange information with others.
As homeschoolers, the most important part of teaching your child to read is sharing the meaning of what is being read!
You instinctively knew this even when your child was a baby. You didn’t start by teaching your child to sound out each letter in a word when your child was 9 months old. Instead, you pointed to the pictures and named what you saw. If you saw a dog, you would say, “See the doggie? Dogs say, “Woof, woof.” You helped your child make connections from the books to what they could understand.
Conversations are the best and most simple way to do this!
How to Engage Kids in Conversation While Reading
My kids and I just started reading Grammar Galaxy, and it is a terrific example of how important it is to have conversations after reading. After we read a chapter, we make predictions about what we think is going to happen next. We talk about new vocabulary words that we learned, and we think about how we can use those words to something in our lives now. We make connections about how what the characters are doing reminds us of something we did (or wouldn’t do).
All of these discussions ensure that the kids are actively engaged in thinking about what they are reading. This makes reading a valued experience for a child. By investing our time and attention in our child’s thoughts about reading, we give them an opportunity to share part of their learning experience with us. What they share sometimes surprises me (like how my daughter was pronouncing “Penelope” as “pineapple,” which made us both giggle). Sometimes, what they share is profound (like the time my child decided that she wasn’t letting a friend’s criticism bother her b/c she was reminded of ourconversation after reading in a book that she has a choice about whether to believe others’ words).
Having conversations about books your child reads or that you read to them is the single BEST thing that you can do to help your child be a successful reading enthusiast.
This isn’t a list of specific skills to check off. You won’t find this in a curriculum. It is just about you taking just a few minutes to ask your child their thoughts about what they reading. Their responses are powerful and priceless, and it can make a world of difference in your child’s reading success.
Amy Michaels is a former classroom teacher and Gifted Educational Specialist turned homeschooler. She is the founder of ThriveHomeschooling.com and Thrive Homeschooling Academy. She works as an Educational Consultant to homeschooling parents by sharing systems to simplify and customize their homeschooling to see their kids THRIVE.
The first Friday in May is National Space Day. Actually, it’s an international celebration. I thought I’d join the fun by sharing six spectacular resources for making the most of this day in your homeschool.
#1 Grammar Galaxy
Grammar Galaxy: Nebula is a complete language arts curriculum for beginning readers that is perfect for National Space Day.
Read the first lesson for free to your kids to get them motivated to read. The first fun mission that follows the lesson has young guardians of the galaxy heading to the library–a perfect time to pick up other space-related books and videos. While you’re checking out Grammar Galaxy, be sure to download your free space-themed Reading for Treasure map by clicking on it.
Even though these ideas are designed for a space-themed birthday party, what a delightful surprise they would make for your kids this first Friday in May. I’m most crazy about the moon rock craft and the snack ideas!
#6 Space-Themed Movies for Kids
What would National Space Day be without a good movie? This list of 12 space-themed movies for kids doesn’t include Star Wars. There are so many good options that you can turn National Space Day into National Space month!
I was given access to this course for free and was compensated for my time. I was not required to give a positive review.
After training our children in the faith and teaching them to love learning, preparing our children to do well on the ACT is a top priority for me and my husband. We have six children to put through college and a high ACT score opens the door to significant scholarship money. (For more on preparing your child for college scholarships, be sure to listen to my interview with Lee Binz on The Homeschool Sanity Show).
Our third son will be taking the ACT for the first time this summer, so I was delighted to have the opportunity to enroll him in the six-week ACT Math Boot Camp from Mr. D Math.
Math makes up a significant portion of the ACT score. Mr. D. of Mr. D Math claims that he can raise your child’s ACT Math score 5 points. That’s significant! That’s taking the math score from average to above average, for example.
I honestly wasn’t sure what I would think of this online interactive course. My first two sons had only prepared for the test using ACT prep books. I am also very picky about teaching style.
What the Mr. D Math ACT Boot Camp Includes
The boot camp is an online course taught live by Mr. D. himself. It is scheduled for Monday evenings in our time zone, which is challenging for my son because he has drum lessons at that time. Attending live allows students to ask and answer questions. However, replays are available, allowing viewers to hear Mr. D’s responses to questions. The interactive course includes teaching of test-taking strategies, help converting word problems to equations, and review of math formulas needed for the ACT. Students look over problems prior to class that Mr. D. then solves with students in class. Students work to solve the same problems on their own between classes, promoting mastery.
The online course is not the only part of the boot camp, however. The course fee also includes the Test Prep Portal. Inside the portal are numerous videos teaching skills such as how to use your calculator during the exam. There are also ACT practice questions for math, links to math games, and even practice questions for the other subjects comprising the ACT. My son characterizes it as “a ton of stuff.”
What We Think of the Mr. D Math ACT Boot Camp
I wasn’t sure if my son would like the boot camp. He is very picky, too! But he was quite complimentary of Mr. D’s teaching style. “He makes things very easy to understand,” he said.
My son is strong in math, but even he can benefit from this boot camp. I think students who are weaker in math would absolutely love this, as would students who learn best through audio and hands-on teaching.
My son hasn’t yet taken the ACT, but I do believe Mr. D.’s claim that he can raise my child’s math score by 5 points. Since 5 points can be the difference between a scholarship and no scholarship, the cost for this boot camp ($197) is a real bargain in my opinion. It’s like having a top-notch math tutor in your home.
How to Get Started With the MrD Math ACT Boot Camp
If you’d like to enroll your child in the boot camp to prepare him or her for the June ACT, go to the Mr. D Math site today. The session just started this week, so your child can still fully participate in this boot camp. Click the same link to enroll in future boot camps. You should also follow Mr. D Math on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, especially if your child isn’t quite ready for the ACT. Then you won’t forgot this amazing resource for ACT preparation!
I’m a Christian psychologist turned homeschooling mother of six. My life can be a little crazy, so I look for sanity-saving ideas to use and share. I hope you’ll read my About page to learn more.
