The big, yellow book was also used for the reading comprehension section. W read some passages and answered questions. This is keeping him on his toes and is a nice break from narrating. The other thing we focused on this week was reading aloud. Since his acting class started in full force this past weekend, he wants to be confident in his reading skills - especially in front of others. So, we found the old Aesop's Fables book (Milo Winter) and he read to me. The trick was to use a story-telling tone and create the voices and personalities for each character. His first attempt was choppy - he skipped words, stumbled through it, and nothing made sense. Then I remembered the blue overlay. Once he read the words through the blue colored plastic, it was close to perfect. He only hesitated at 1 or 2 large, unfamiliar words. He decided to bring it to the acting class and use it with his scripts. Thankfully, he's not shy about things like that.
The acting class was fantastic. He got there a little early and decided to go up to the instructor he had for the past trial four weeks to tell her he has dyslexia. I guess he just wanted to get it out in the open so no one would wonder why he reads so stumbly for his age. She listened to him and then told him she had dyslexia too. She said that words get all mixed up and she reads slowly. W was so happy someone actually understood. I got all teary-eyed when I heard this. He'll be fine.
We got Sequential Spelling the other day. We're starting with the first book like the website says since it doesn't correspond with grade level. I like the multi-sensory way it's done. I might go pick up another dry erase board and markers - but crayons/colored pencils/markers and white looseleaf work fine, too. It looks like a good program and I've heard a lot of great things about it. He seems to like it so far, too. The daily spelling tests and various writing assignments in the Student Workbook are just what he needs.
I keep reading and researching everything I can about dyslexia and visual processing disorder and one thing that stood out to me was that these kids need a break every 15 minutes or so while doing academic work. I haven't been doing that, so I guess it explains W's eye-rubbing and yawning and glazed look sometimes. I certainly will be taking short breaks with him from now on, though. The article suggest he get up and walk around during the break. This is another reason I believe homeschooling through high school would be so much better for him. I keep going back and forth. He still has no idea what he'd rather do. Like I said, I'll go through the motions of applying to everything and whatever he's accepted to, he can decide then.
The acting class was fantastic. He got there a little early and decided to go up to the instructor he had for the past trial four weeks to tell her he has dyslexia. I guess he just wanted to get it out in the open so no one would wonder why he reads so stumbly for his age. She listened to him and then told him she had dyslexia too. She said that words get all mixed up and she reads slowly. W was so happy someone actually understood. I got all teary-eyed when I heard this. He'll be fine.
We got Sequential Spelling the other day. We're starting with the first book like the website says since it doesn't correspond with grade level. I like the multi-sensory way it's done. I might go pick up another dry erase board and markers - but crayons/colored pencils/markers and white looseleaf work fine, too. It looks like a good program and I've heard a lot of great things about it. He seems to like it so far, too. The daily spelling tests and various writing assignments in the Student Workbook are just what he needs.
I keep reading and researching everything I can about dyslexia and visual processing disorder and one thing that stood out to me was that these kids need a break every 15 minutes or so while doing academic work. I haven't been doing that, so I guess it explains W's eye-rubbing and yawning and glazed look sometimes. I certainly will be taking short breaks with him from now on, though. The article suggest he get up and walk around during the break. This is another reason I believe homeschooling through high school would be so much better for him. I keep going back and forth. He still has no idea what he'd rather do. Like I said, I'll go through the motions of applying to everything and whatever he's accepted to, he can decide then.
J started tap classes at her high school and is in the advanced group. Yay! Being in advanced anything in this school means a lot. She's also in a choreography class this semester. Soon they start their Junior Projects. These are student choreographed numbers that the kids perform and count as a huge part of their grade. I can't wait to see these. At the dance studio, she is still teaching and keeping busy getting ready for all the competitions coming up. As one of the teachers, she went with the studio owner to another dance teacher convention. She spent a whole day at various classes that teach how to teach.
K's internship is more than she could have imagined it would be. It's a small office and she fits right in. They even invited her out with them for after-work drinks (no she won't be drinking, lol). She is already corresponding with clients, tagging along on face-to-face meetings, writing dozens of promo spots for social media sites, and she landed 3 new clients for them on her first attempt! Needless to say they are impressed with her - she got claps and congratulations from everyone there. She loves being in Manhattan 3 days a week, too.
K's internship is more than she could have imagined it would be. It's a small office and she fits right in. They even invited her out with them for after-work drinks (no she won't be drinking, lol). She is already corresponding with clients, tagging along on face-to-face meetings, writing dozens of promo spots for social media sites, and she landed 3 new clients for them on her first attempt! Needless to say they are impressed with her - she got claps and congratulations from everyone there. She loves being in Manhattan 3 days a week, too.
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