One is outspoken, and one never speaks

Ok, homeschool preschool has gone marvelously for us so far. My little girls have learned their numbers and letters, a good deal of phonics, and are learning simple addition now. I'm thrilled with the progress
but
Hannah has always lagged behind Sarah. While Sarah really seems to pay attention and "get it" when we talk about something, Hannah often has a faraway look in her eyes and just can't seem to focus. And I'm not talking about the hard stuff... I totally understand why she'd have that look for things that are above her level- she's just a little slower to pick up letters, numbers, etc., but even for simple stuff that any kid could do, like listening to a 5 page (one sentence per page) story about baby birds and answering a simple question about what I said for each page ("i.e. what did the baby bird hatch out of?".
soooo
I find that when I'm reviewing or asking questions, Sarah ALWAYS answers first before Hannah can even have a chance, and even if Hannah gets a chance, she's often looking to Sarah for some hint or for her to answer first. She's becoming dependant on Sarah for her participation.
I have a little guy (1 and a half) running around during all this tearing my house apart during lessons, so taking extra time to do each lesson individually with each child really isn't an option (and besides, they'd never stand for being left out).
So, what do you do with one MOUTH and one quiet one who needs a little extra help? Any suggestions?

 

I have a similar split in eagerness to answer questions. If I let her, Anna would answer everything before Ian. For the lessons we do together, I make sure to single out one of them to answer a question. For example, "Ian, can you tell me how many books are in the Old Testament?" I also make sure to have them take turns answering. So, Anna doesn't get the chance to hog the lesson.

But, for some things, I do split them up for individual lessons. Reading is the big one. I am using "Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons" (I HIGHLY recommend it!). It is set up for being very one-on-one. I can't imagine how it could work with more than one child at a time. So, when it is time for reading lesson, I have one go play on Starfall on the computer that is in the same room and use headphones. Starfall's games compliment the reading lessons, keep them occupied, and, with headphones, keep them from hearing the other doing their lesson. So, there is no competition because they don't know how the other is doing and they don't overhear stories and memorize them. Then, when the first kid is done with their lesson, they switch. They take turns on who goes first every day. It took a while to figure this system out, but it works really well for us.

For some other lessons, I'll have one do a coloring page while I do flash cards with the other and then switch. Or I'll have one do a math worksheet while the other uses manipulatives with me. They both know they will get a turn next, so they never raise a fuss about working with me one-on-one. The only time there is a problem is when they argue over who goes first. But, I nip that in the bud as soon as I hear the first complaint.

 

I have to separate my two for reading as well. Otherwise Nathan turns to William for words he doesn't know. I would also address them by name to make sure they know it is their turn to answer. I am glad to hear that it is going well for you.

 

Thanks... I ordered the "how to teach your child to read in 100 easy lessons" this morning. Did you buy any of the associated stuff, Stacey? I just ordered the book. Did your kids know all their letters and their associated sounds beforehand? Mine know their letters, but are still working on the sounds (we're up to f).

 

No, I didn't buy any of the extras. Just the book. I have made some extras of my own, though. I made some worksheets that I printed out, put them in clear sheet protectors, and we use dry erase markers on them, so they can use them over and over. I also made flash cards. I'd be happy to share them if you want to PM me with your email address. They were easy and fun to make and I don't think we needed to buy any of the extras.

The one thing I did purchase for them, though, was a notebook for beginning writers (this is the one we have, but any type with the three lines will do). One part of the lesson each day is "sound writing" where you teach them to write the letters. The idea is that the physical act helps cement the sound in their minds. I know many people who have done 100 Easy Lessons who skip the writing part, but writing time is a favorite of my kids each day. The idea isn't to develop good handwriting, yet (which is good, especially with my lefty!), but to reinforce the sounds and how they form words.

As for the letter names and sounds, they don't need to know any of it to start the program. It goes step-by-step from the very beginning. In fact, I wish mine hadn't known the letter names and sounds when we started! They've had to re-learn much of it in a new way. Starting with a clean slate may have been much easier!

We are on lesson 36 right now and they are doing amazing! They are really staring to read! They are reading a story that goes with the lesson each day and can really comprehend what they are reading. They have also surprised me many times with their ability to sound out new words! By the end of the book, they will be reading at a second-grade level. I was a little dubious at first, but now I can really see that it is going to happen. The kids and I both get so excited when it is time for their reading lessons each day and they are so proud of themselves with each new thing they learn!

 

I also wanted to add that, with 100 Easy Lessons, I highly recommend reading the introduction (or it will be very confusing!) and following the instructions to a "T." I was sort of lazy about the wording for the first 10 lessons or so and it made it so much harder! Once I started following the script and doing everything they said to do, it started being fun and easy.

 

Sabrina is painfully shy, very quiet most of the time and happy to be babied. It is very common for me to say to one of my other kids, including her twin sister, "When you become Sabrina, you may answer for her."

I have 100 Easy Lessons and used it to varying success with my oldest 3. With Sage, she turned to me one day shortly after she turned 4 (I think we were on about lesson 10), threw her arms around my neck and said, "Thank you so much for giving me reading!" Seriously! Trey, it just didn't jive. Nothing did. He didn't really start to read until he was almost 9. But it turns out he's also dyslexic. It worked fine for Adam, but I didn't push it so much, because I didn't want him to zoom past Trey. Trey is now a better reader than Adam, but they're both doing just fine. I haven't thought about it much in a couple of years, but now I'm considering pulling it out for Sydney and Sabrina. I'm not sure how it'll work. I think Sabrina may really take to it. And it'll help that it's big print at first (she's legally blind). She's writing her name, numbers, etc. Sydney (who sees fine), doesn't write much of anything recognizable, though she will sort of trace letters. I like the idea of giving them each a separate activity to do while reading with the other. I think I'll see what I can come up with for that, and give it a go with them soon.

 

I've been doing "...100 easy lessons" for two weeks now and I LOVE it. Thanks to Stacy for the idea of doing Starfall with one while the other does their lesson because that was a GREAT idea and has worked so well. Hannah, who struggles so much with remembering letters and letter sounds, is picking it up so nicely because of the repetition and the multiple ways it attacks recall skills for the sounds. Sarah is breezing thru it like it's the easiest thing she's ever done... thanks guys for the great idea.

 

:Clap: I'm glad it is going so well! I love the book and think I am as excited as they are with each new thing they learn.