Homeschooling...?

Question

I have two kids 4 and 5 years old I took them out of public school, because I did not feel they were getting all they needed from it, and turns out I was right,anyhow to my question what is the best books or way to get there writing skills up they do pretty well but dont follow all the lines on the page if I am over reacting you can tell me so, and If you are a mom who homeschools, or a student that is homeschooled ,or if you know someone who homeschools if there are any good resources to helping them please let me know, and feel free to share your story anything will help.
Thanks:)

Answer 1

they are four and five?
the fact that they are giving you anything remotely close to following the lines is pretty darn good in my opinion!
Don't worry, they'll get it, just don't give up.
Donnayoung.org has lots of printables on handwriting, I used them with my now 2nd grader.
I also used A Reason for Writing, it was nice.
But you know, nothing replaces good, old fashioned practice. Lots and lots of practice, much to a student's dismay, lol!
My son's writing leaves a bit to be desired, but we practice all the time. writing spelling words (start at once each, work your way up), dictation, copy work, rewriting sloppy work (not lack of expertise, just underpar work, you know the difference) At that age, Practice writing letters they struggle with (like making those silly letters sit on the line)
practice, practice, practice with some paper that has the divided lines is the best thing out there.
I'm Christian, so we write memory verses a lot, but you can use whatever you want. I also read simple sentences to him that he has to write down(dictation) and sometimes I write sentences for him to copy (copy work)

Answer 2

If it is just handwriting and in everything else they were ok, you might have over reacted, but since I pulled my son in the 7th week of kindergarten and have not regretted it since, I think you will be ok.

Handwriting can be the most challenging thing for many kids. My son is 8 and we are still trying to overcome the preschool and kindergarten teachers who taught him to draw the letter rather than the correct way to write it. The BEST handwriting program out there is Handwriting Without Tears. Here is the website. http://www.hwtears.com/

Some children will have letter reversal until age 7 or 8 and that is totally normal, not dyslexia, so just kindly correct it and move on.

If you need help finding anything else or help with other subjects feel free to email. Good luck,

Answer 3

Four and five are still VERY young and often aren't developmentally ready to be writing. At this age, they should be coloring a lot, doing connect-the-dots, even making up their own writing. I'm going to very nicely say you're overreacting ;-) I understand your concern that the kids' learning be ongoing, but maybe accessing your local districts PASS goals will give you an idea of where they should be. Also, look at the 'What your X Grader should Know" series. It's a little more classical than I care for, but it was nice to have as a resource.

I'm homeschooling six kids, 12, 9, 8, 7, 5 and three (the baby is only one, but she hangs out with us!) Some of the things by five yo and three yo are doing include cutting out pictures from magazines (yes, that helps handwriting by working on fine motor skills), and they glue them onto paper and make up menu's for a pretend restaurant. We make birthday cards for all of our friends and family. We also have little workbooks from walmart that they can just play with, no stress or me pointing out errors. They figure it out on their own, when they are ready. My seven year old just when from scribble writing to fairly neat handwriting in less than a week, halfway through the six year old year. Now she's working on cursive because it's pretty!

Answer 4

I'm sorry, I don't understand what you mean by the schools not giving what your kids need at ages 4 and 5. That's still preschool/kindergarten age. They should be doing basic things like learning colours, reading their names, counting, etc. The 5yo more so than the 4yo. They are working on their skills, not supposed to have wonderful skills. Go into a grade 1 classroom and check out the kids' writing when it's not good copy stuff! Your kids are probably doing fine.

Answer 5

4 and 5 years of age is fairly young to be expecting them to write on or between the lines...however, I have a just 4 yo daughter who can...so it is possible.
This year we've done "preschool" using the Handwriting Without Tears preschool program http://www.hwtears.com because of all the multi-sensory things it includes. However the preK program only teaches capital letters.
Next year, I plan to start her in Kindergarten, and we will be using the Getty-Dubay Italic Handwriting Series program http://www.cep.pdx.edu/titles/italic_series/
I've used this program in the past quite successfully, and would recommend it to everyone.
I guess I would say don't stress at this point, as your children are still young. Good luck in your homeschooling adventure!

Answer 6

I don't have any specific resources, but I know for sure that if you do some homeschooling research on the net there's lots great resources and groups to share info.

I tutor SATs and my second highest scorer over the years was homeschooled. Great kid too. Go for it and good luck.

Answer 7

there 4 and 5 years old, yeah you are over reacting( especialy if they are boys, they dont learn to write very well, in general, or reading for that matter). there are special shops you can go to for homeschooling books and they can answer your questions. i think some of them might even have a online site you can look up on google.

Answer 8

You should be commended for your time homeschooling the kiddies.... I am a mother of twin 9 year olds. Yesterday, we had a metting at school due to some major problems that are occuring.... Race gangs are prevalent at the school ( This is elementary school!) also, 2 days ago, a boy threatened that he was going to bring a gun to school and shoot a teacher's aid in my one son's class........ I am beside myself!!!! I think public schools are a waste of tax dollars......... Besides, everything they know, I end up having to teach to them.......... all they are conserned with is how fast they kids can read..... not even can they understand what they read...... try looking up a local teachers' store,,,, most cities have these......... They are very helpful and can lead you in the right direction. It is a shame that we have to protect our children from their own peers, and teachers.....good luck!

Answer 9

www.homeschoolingreviews.com...A Beka has a great program for the younger children. I applaud you for taking them out of school. Great! I know the conditions of public schools these days are just horrible. I am so glad I am not stuck in one. I go to a private school, but have already felt a calling fo my life, a calling to homeschool my future children. I know it has been done, and I am not worried about it.

Answer 10

I would go to

www.singaporemath.com

and

www.sonlight.com

and also

www.rainbowresource.com

for some ideas, to start out with.