Lira truly loves her reading journal. Do you know why this makes me happy? Because this time last year, she hated to write. HATED. We would fight. Lots of yelling. Doors slamming. Me crying. Her crying. Bad stuff.
I turned to a lot of veteran homeschoolers and asked for help. What I learned from my conversations with them and with the time that followed with Lira is that writing does not have to happen with only a pencil. We use dry erase boards, sidewalk chalk, shaving cream… you name it.
Obviously, the stress-less fun way of writing helped because now if I do not put her reading journal in her workboxes, she demands it.
So, I am more than happy to oblige. I put the reading journal with one book and a sticky-note with a question on it. Some of the questions I ask are:
- What was your favorite part of the book?
- Who is your favorite character?
- What happened at the end?
- What surprised you the most?
- Was there something silly in the book?
Another thing I like to put in Lira’s workbox is her Leapster. She loves it and I do too because she is learning while having fun!
Hi Penny,
I’m visiting from your link at…ABC’s of Homeschooling(?). I can’t remember now because I kept clicking all over the place! Anyway, I was interested in reading about homeschooling your daughter with autism. I was, previously, an autism teacher–before I quit teaching to stay home with my own children. I was reading about your work boxes and it seems quite similar to the TEACCH system we used to use with our students. Have your work boxes any relation to that system, or are they a result of a homeschool method? Just curious.
I can imagine, from my own experience, although you must have some unique educational challenges to navigate with your daughter, that by opting out of the public school system, you are avoiding a whole lot of other complicating and stressing factors–difficult for parents and children sometimes. I don’t miss my teaching job, but I do miss working with many of the students. It was the job that wore me out, more than the kids.
Blessings to you and your family on your educational (life) journey!
Hi Michelle! Actually, our workboxes are based on Sue Patrick’s Workbox System. I have never heard of the TEACCH system but now I am intrigued and will have to go check it out.
Our decision to leave the public school system was met by much resistance at first, but now, even Lira’s doctors say that we made the right decision.
I am so glad you found me and I hope to get to know you better. I would love to know your opinions on the different special needs posts that I write. Thanks again!