son only likes FIAR

[DebbieD]

My 6 year old only wants to do FIAR, and of course, all the exploring, hiking fishing and free time that home schooling allows. He is really frustrated with phonics (HOP). He has learned a lot, but doesn't enjoy it at all anymore. Same with math (Primary Math). Do we just do the "fun" stuff for now or should I continue "torturing" him? :unsure:

[laurie in ok]

How much time are you spending on math and phonics? I don't see a problem with taking a break for a little while - you could start up again after the first of the year. But, if your lessons are more than 15 minutes, I think I would try shortening them to see if that works better.

[Julie in AZ]

I wish I had waited to start math and phonics lessons with my ds. :sad:

I say go with FIAR and drop everything else for the rest of year! :)

[DebbieD]

Thanks for the input. I do think we will take a break, I do not want him to get tired of home school!! He loves the books we read and the fun things we do with FIAR. In theory, I know that is what we should just do and enjoy, but I in real life, backing off the basics really scares me!

[Jane Claire]

Debbie,

Just remember that there are numbers in almost everything you do...take the stairs by two's, play games that add and subtract, talk about numbers when you cook, etc. I've long be convinced that you can teach early elementary math without ever touching a worksheet or even looking at a book. There are hot wheels cars to group, and home made clocks, and real money to learn with. Cutting pizzas and apples take care of more...basically you need a list of concepts to introduce and master and the creativity to find a way to make the concepts relevant for your student.

And for phonics read parts of billboards, and signs and talk about the phonics blends as you drive around. Ask your son to watch for "..." blend, or whatever you need to begin with. Make cards with blends, lay them on the floor, and then when you call out one, your son throws a ball or bean bag at the correct one. Or he jumps from one to another.

That way you can focus on FIAR but keep making some progress in the basics...through a different doorway! :)

[DeniseR]

My mindset is that I don't want to turn dd6 off of learning but I also beleive that you have to learn that there are things in life that you have to do even if you don't like them.

We do two pages of MUS Mon-Thurs which takes 5-10 miutes, On Friday I pull out pattern cards, tanagrams, make up a math game, etc.

We don't use a formal reading program. I mix in www.starfall.com, Dick and Jane, phonics readers, early readers, word cards, using the whiteboard, etc.

I would ask your son what he doesn't like about the math and reading programs. If he's getting stuck with the phonics program, put it aside and do things that reinforce what he already knows to build up his confidence. Same thing with math (My dd thinks math is boring and that is where I say "oh too bad)

[TonyaP]

We try to strike a balance as well. I don't believe that I have to make everything fun. It doesn't have to be horrid, but it also doesn't have to be fun all the time. DS doesn't want to do any seat work and he is old enough to learn to write- can't do that on the move. So he is learning that there will be some things he just has to do.

I try to make things short and enjoyable where possible but I can't let him completely lead the show or I'd have to run a circus just to teach. :lol:

Now, my DS is a year older so we've been working on it for a year now. I guess I am looking back at "fun" meaning that now I have a child who thinks it's a major imposition if I ask him to work 9 simple math problems. When you feel the time is right, make sure your child understands that not everything he does in a day is going to be what he considers fun. ;)

[Nedra in So. CA]

My now 9 year old (4th grade) truly did not start any formal learning until last year (grade 3). We were blessed with twin daughters the end of the summer right before her 2nd grade year. We got nothing done in the academic sense that year. Looking back it was an amazing year with much learning about family, twins, babies, patience, ministering to mom, etc......

I do not see any difference this year in what she is doing academically compared to what my 2 olders did at this age (they started at age 5). She just learned much quicker at the later age. She also has a love of learning that is different. I do think it was a gift to her to be able to learn through play, and cooking, and counting household items, and lots of outdoor play and nature study; real learning the natural way. Jane Claire's advice was beautiful.

[Pat in MB]

Debbie,

That way you can focus on FIAR but keep making some progress in the basics...through a different doorway! :)

I agree with Jane Claire wholeheartedly and want to add the difference I have seen in what the 2 different styles teach. When your children grow up with math and phonics being part of life they "get" math and phonics. The concepts make sense in the real world. When I taught math (especially math) through workbooks I saw that my children had a harder time seeing how that fit into real life. I had to work through that in my head - what do I want to accomplish? Do I want my children to understand math or be able to work math problems on a piece of paper. Sure it takes more thinking on Mom's part (at the beginning) to incorporate math into the day than it does to assign X# of pages but my goal isn't to finish a book - it is to make math a meaningful part of their lives.

She just learned much quicker at the later age. She also has a love of learning that is different. I do think it was a gift to her to be able to learn through play, and cooking, and counting household items, and lots of outdoor play and nature study; real learning the natural way. Jane Claire's advice was beautiful.
What a beautiful "reality" testimony!!:clap: When I was trying to make the decision that this was enough I needed to know that it truly worked. Take heart, Debbie - your child's delight in learning should be a high priority! I've had to learn in all my years that there are certain things I cannot afford to make a battle. I cannot afford to battle over food, toilet training, and education. ;) That's our story.

You will know what's right for your family as you seek for your answers.
Love Pat

[Wendyt]

My 6 yr old dd doesn't like anything but FIAR either. She hates any formal schooling, and I have been just giving her a break and letting her play. She is learning, just not with a pencil in her hand. I live in NY though, and I am concerned about the paperwork for the school district.

[DebbieD]

I appreciate all the feed back! I agree wholeheartedly and am inspired to relax and let him enjoy a little more! I really like what Nedra said (I tried to quote her but am not that advanced on the computer!) She said, "She just learned much quicker at the later age", that is what I have always said, in relation to potty training! My boys were all "late" (3 years 2 months), but once they decided to learn, it was a breeze, no accidents!! That is what I want to believe about learning the basics too, when he is ready, he will learn it, especially, if the information is all around him and meaningful to him, in the real life ways you all mentioned. That is my opinion of education too, I just sometimes revert to my former public school teacher ways and desire a way to measure his progress. Or, when I hear a friend whose kids are public schooled, talk about how her son is doing, I sometimes panic and torture him for a while, thinking he needs to catch up and forgetting the ways in which he is advanced. (not to say that pen and paper are torture for all kids at all stages, just for my son, right now, it does feel like torture!) Thanks for all the feed back! We are going sledding!

[Darcy]

Hi, DebbieD.

Have you ever checked out the Math curriculum "Making Math Meaningful?" It has lots of ideas for incorporating math into everday life. You use lots of things around the house to learn concepts. I haven't used it as an exclusive math program, but I pull ideas from it. It was reasonably priced as well.

http://www.cornerstonecurriculum.com/Curriculum/MMM/MMM.htm

HTH,
Darcy

ETA: I wanted to add, too, that I read something inspiring in a homeschooling resource awhile back. The homeschooling family featured in the article dilligently tried to provide a balance in their children's education. They did not put "book smart" upon a pedastal as many do today. They structured their homeschool in this fashion: 1/3 academics, 1/3 service, 1/3 entrepreneurialism. Within that structure the children were educated and trained to be well prepared for the real world. It helped us (DH and I) keep a "big picture" approach to our homeschool and re-evaluate where we put "book smart" on our priority list. Of course math, reading, and writing skills are very integral and important when it comes to functioning in the real world, but sometimes we get caught up in the rat race of academia when instead we could be providing a more well-rounded, real life experience/education for our kids. It sounds like you are doing a great job! Enjoy your sledding.