Homeschooling Sam and Other Adventures...: November 2011

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

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Big Number Talking Calculator

I recently added the use of a Big Number Talking Calculator to Sam's tool box for math. It allows him to be more independent when completing addition and subtraction problems. Without the talking calculator, Sam requires frequent verbal cueing from me to complete math problems. The verbal feedback the calculator provides is clear and consistent allowing Sam to correct any entry error he has made on his own. Also, it makes completing problems like 4+4= easier because he gets immediate verbal feedback that he has actually entered the number 4 twice. Calculators that provide visual feedback only, do not do this, and often Sam will enter the 4 only once, thus resulting in an error in his calculations. Sam enjoys working math problems on the talking calculator and beams with pride upon his success. I ordered from http://www.parentgiving.com/ and the cost was $34.95 with free shipping. While calculator math does not replace continued work teaching addition and subtraction without the use of such an aid(one does not replace the other). This kind of funcional learning is beneficial because some day Sam may need to carry a calculator to complete his grocery shopping, etc. Anything that helps him to function more independently at home(where support is always available)will help him to be more independent in his living when he is moving into a work and leisure environment on his own.

Just in Time for Christmas-Toy Awards

Just in time for Christmas, http://www.playonwords.com/ has announced their Top 10 PAL(Play Advances Language)Awards. See what play can do to promote language development in your child.

Special Needs Homeschooling Website

I came across a website that promotes and provides information regarding homeschooling children with special needs. The site is not specific to students who have Ds, but there might be wisdom to glean. Go to http://www.specialneedshomeschooling.com/

Writing Practice