Lesson 3: Catching Up and Moving On
A Plan for Catching Up
Frequently, previously schooled children are behind in important areas before the parents choose homeschooling. It is up to the parent to figure out how to help the child catch up again. Often, this challenge frightens parents, especially if their state holds them accountable. Remember that if you have test results showing where your child was the previous year in public or private school, you need only show that he has made acceptable progress. His previous history will help you decide what is reasonable, and you can point this out to any examiner. After all, it is hardly your fault that the previous school failed to teach your child.
Begin with a clear understanding of your child’s capabilities. You probably did this before removing him from school, and the process was covered in an earlier lesson. Now you want to figure out what you should teach next. If your child is behind in most or all of his subjects, you will not want to catch up in everything right away. Absolutely nothing is more important than reading, so plan to spend as much time on this subject as possible. Once he can read, he can learn any other subject. You don’t need to spend all your time staring at the same reading book. There are many ways to teach a child to read. This topic is covered in an upcoming lesson. However, try to put reading into everything you do, and try to incorporate what your child is interested in. One dyslexic traditionally schooled boy, who had managed to resist every reading program presented to him, was in danger of being permanently illiterate. Finally his father asked, “Isn’t there anything you wish you could read?” The boy spoke up promptly, making it clear he had thought of this in the past. “I want to be able to read the television guide and car magazines.” His father went to a thrift store and found a box of automotive magazines and bought an extra copy of the current television guide. Together, they went to work, mastering the words needed to read these materials. Of course, the skills he needed to do this applied to other types of reading as well, and soon the boy was reading.
Your plan for catching up must include a realistic look at what your child will do the rest of his life. This does not mean that you need to limit what he can learn; only that you should have an idea about his potential. Remember, though, that children sometimes surprise us, especially after they begin to homeschool. For this reason, while you will be aware of his potential, you won’t try to limit him to what you believe he can do.
You will want to begin your instruction by first getting him interested in reading, and then by helping him to become functionally literate. Teach him the words he needs to get through a day and to read instructions. Then worry about reading for pleasure and learning.
Writing can be approached the same way. First he must know how to print the letters of the alphabet. When he can do this without a great deal of thought, you might try teaching him cursive writing. Focus on what he has to be able to write, and then see if he is able to go further. When you first introduce compositions, reports and creative writing, allow him to write about anything he wants. First aim for joy, then for need, and finally for practicality.
Your plan for math will be slow and long-term. Trying to set a schedule is nearly always impossible. Start all the way back at the very beginning to be sure there aren’t any gaps. Make sure he can count--and this means counting objects, not reciting numbers, although he needs to be able to do that, too. Then give him a few simple addition problems. If he can do them, and perhaps demonstrate that he understands why he is doing it this way, move on to the next step. When you reach what he does not know, stop. Break the work down into the smallest steps and stay there until he has completely mastered the material.
Setting goals is an important part of homeschooling, but it is very possible that you will not be able to list completion dates for these goals. Instead, in each subject, write each step he needs to complete in order to catch up. Depending on his disability and how far behind he is, these goals may be completed in a year, or they may take several years. Some children may never catch up, but will reach their full potential, whatever it might be. As your child completes each step, put a checkmark by it. Regularly go back and find out if he can still do the previous steps. I have learned that learning disabled children can know something perfectly one day, and be completely lost the next. Physically challenged children may need to review the skills often in order to train their muscles to perform accurately.
If you are not sure what your child ought to be capable of, or what he needs to know, ask a friend whose children are attending public school to let you look at her child’s textbooks. If possible, photocopy the table of contents and then work to that level. While the school may not have the best program, it is the standard you will be held to if questioned.
During the catching up period, keep history, science and other subjects to a minimum. Mix them into the more essential courses and move some of the activities into your family time. You can read a book about dinosaurs together before bedtime, and your child may not realize he is still having school. Crafts, music, gym and other subjects can be integrated into normal life.
Don’t demand three hours of solid work, however. You want your child to enjoy his new school, so put some fun into the schedule. Reading, math and writing all have play elements to them. Give your child a break and enjoy learning.
