Writing Practice

Writing Practice
The Schoolroom

Welcome to Homeschooling Sam and other adventures...

Hello friends, fellow homeschooling parents, and prospective homeschooling parents, this blog is for you!

My hope is that this blog will bless you as you create your own adventure homeschooling your child who has Down syndrome. My plan is to provide you with information that has helped me successfully homeschool my son, Sam. Every child is unique, so you will need to discover what works best for your child and situation. However, perhaps something you discover here might start you on your way or lead you in a new direction. Homeschooling a child who has Down syndrome can be a joyful adventure and one you will surely treasure.

Mother of Pearls


Curriculum, Educational Materials, And Such That I Have Used and Liked

The following is a list of some of the curriculum, materials, toys and such that I have used and liked. I have tried to place them in order from birth onward. However, there is so much overlap in teaching children with Down syndrome (because their skills tend to be scattered) that age limits that might apply for typically developing children don't tend to provide absolute guidance in selecting materials for our kids. My philosphy is to find curriculum or materials that meet the needs of a particular child's skill level no matter his/her age and move forward from there. It is important that your child have success in learning so that his/her confidence and love of learning will thrive. So choose items and curriculum that challenge your child while also allowing your child to be successful often.



Books, books, books

-books with rhyme schemes

-books that have touch & feel component



Puzzles, puzzles, puzzles

Toys that provide musical feedback

Toys that promote cause & effect

Toys that promote pretend play

Kindermusick(http://www.kindermusik.com/)

Lekotek (http://www.lekotek.com/)

Love and Learning

( www.loveandlearning.com/)

See and Learn Reading Program http://www.dseusa.org/

Preschool software computer games

Earobics (http://www.earobics.com/ )

Handheld Leapster Games(sequencing, math, alphabet, spelling practice)

Board games which promote counting, turntaking, etc. like "Sorry" or "Candyland"

Teaching Reading to Children with Down Syndome" by Patricia Oelwein

"Bob Books" phonetic readers by Scholastic

Site word reading books that provide lots of word repetition and site word flashcards

Bailey's Bookhouse reading software by Edmark

Bailey's Bookhouse math software by Edmark

Luke's Life List by Joyce Herzog //www.joyceherzog.com/ under "teacher helps"

Luke's School List by Joyce Herzong http://www.joyceherzog.com/ under "teacher helps"

"Fine Motor Skills in children with Down Syndrome" by Maryanne Bruni

Handwriting Without Tears (http://www.hwtears.com/)

Get Set for the Code, Go for the Code, Explode the Code phonetic writing series

-http://www.starfall.com/ reading website

"Teaching Math to People who have Down Syndrome," Book 1 by DeAnna Horstmeier

"What Your 1st Grader(2nd grader, etc.)Needs to Know" by E.D. Hirsch Jr.

Kumon Math (http://www.kumanbooks.com/) Mazes, Dot to Dots, puzzles, as well as number sense learning

Personal journal writing that begins with drawing, move to letters, words, etc. through the years

Magnetic letters for spelling practice and magnetic words for sentence building.

Copywork practice(many workbooks available)

Number Skills Development for Teenagers with Down syndrome(11-16 yrs) by Bird & Buckley

Reading and Writing Development for Teenagers with Down syndrome(11-16 yrs)by Bird & Buckley

Kumon Math Addition and Subtraction Workbooks-great to use with number line addition and subtraction and/or with calculator math addition and subtraction.

A talking calculator is great for the older child who is struggling with adding and subtracting. (see blog post on the subject 11-17-11)

*Explode the Code Online www.explodethecodeonline.com is fantastic! (Read blog post on this curriculum)

Bob Books App for IPAD



Sunday, December 20, 2009

Recommended Curriculum, Materials, Items, Toys, and Such: A Work in Progress

Hello Friends,
The List of Curriculum, Materials, and such at the top of this blog is not a complete one. I will be adding to it as time will allow. This is not an exhaustive list but highlights materials that I have used and liked. As you may have surmised, "liked" means that Sam has been successful in reaching goals I have set for him through the use of materials listed and said materials and activities have positively promoted his development either cognitively, educationally, socially, spiritually, and/or physically.

Again, this list is to serve as a guide for those of you who are looking for ideas and is simply formed based upon my personal likes and dislikes and Sam's personal success. Your success with a particular curriculum, material, activity, etc. or your opinion may vary or differ from mine. Futhermore, there may be aspects of a particular curriculum that has worked for us and another aspect of it that has not. Homeschooling allows us to be flexible and to adapt curriculum as needed. Hooray, nothing is cookie-cutter when it comes to educating our children at home. We are truly developing and "Individualized Education Plan" that provides lots of one on one attention, time, and encouragement. This is what our kids need!!! Just remember homeschooling is an adventure, give yourself and you child alot of grace. You can homeschool your child and you both will succeed. Have fun and enjoy your time together; it is precious.