Special Needs Homeschooling: Resources to Guide You
September 2, 2020
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Deborah Wuehler
The Inadequate Special Needs Teacher
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Todd Wilson
No Matter What!
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Diane Heeney
Your Special Needs Toolbox
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Trim Healthy Mama
Clever Sandwiches!
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Be sure to scroll to the bottom to enter the contest! |
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The Inadequate Special Needs Teacher
Having a child with special needs can take all of our energy, creativity, and patience to train, nurture, and educate. It can be exhausting! There are rare breaks due to the constant dependence and oversight; so we find ourselves on our knees for guidance and wisdom—and especially help with resources. Often, we find help in the form of special teachers, teaching methods, or products for these kids. And there are plenty!
Even with that, there were many years I was convinced of my own inadequacy for this task of home educating. Not many of us think we are getting this 100% right as we meet so many different needs. But, I have found in teaching my special learners that I need and am given special grace. God’s grace is what covers all my inadequacies.
In the past, I wrote this about our special kids, and it is still true:
Whatever the needs of your child, they are made uniquely by the hand of God to be used by Him for His purposes. If they are fighters, they can be trained to be warriors in God’s army. If they are quiet and compassionate, they can show forth the mercy and love of God. If they are very childlike and innocent, they may be those who are “pure in heart” and will help us see God. If they are extremely intelligent or extremely talkative, they can be useful movers and shakers and orators for the Kingdom of God. Each one is God’s workmanship created for good works. God desires to use us and our children and all of our special needs for His Glory!
When I feel I am an inadequate teacher, I remember God’s grace—His free and unmerited favor—it is what He pours out on this struggling, special, and different teacher. His grace is also the treasure we offer our struggling learners as we keep them Home Where They Belong.
“In the house of the righteous there is much treasure.” Proverbs 15:6
~Deborah
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Have you checked out SchoolhouseReport.com yet? It’s a daily news aggregator having to do with EDUCATION IN THE NEWS. Lots of stories about homeschooling and its recent growth. Sign up for the daily digest so you never miss the news. This is a product of The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine.
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Let’s Make a Memory!
“Ethan said he doesn’t want to graduate! He says he can’t remember anything!” a nervous dad called our office one spring night. How can we keep those memories alive? What bits, pieces, and gems do we want our children to carry with them into their adult lives after homeschooling?
We fill our days with texts, figures, and test results, as well as great stories, trips, and adventures. Isn’t it great that we can record our education experiences with a simple snapshot? We can record every excellent achievement, amazing experiment, beautiful project, and presentation through photos and videos taken right on our phones. Then those wonderful photos can become a photo book. Voila’! Homeschool memories forever! (Make your own digital photo books through various online services.)
But what if your child has a memory challenge? To increase your child’s memory and retention, we recommend that you teach to their whole brain by using stories, vivid colors, rhythm, and humor to help the information to stick. We probably all learned our ABC’s through a rhythm song. We recommend collecting charts practicing chants to increase memory and retention.
If grammar is a challenge, try "Preposition Mountain." Draw a mountain or two and start adding prepositions in various places . . . to the mountain, on the mountain, over the mountain, etc. You can remember multiplication tables with mini math-circles. Place ten random digits around a circle. Put a number in the circle, (+ 2 or x 2) add or multiply your answers around the outside. (<15 sec. Wins!)
Make a memory book: Collect charts and forms that you discover online to create your own book for time management, life skills, Bible reading, grammar rules, geography maps, timelines, science diagrams, and math operations. Keep it handy for life!
At Christian Cottage Schools, we developed our own memory notebook called My Everything Book. It’s a personal memory center which helps all levels of learners to retain important facts and ideas from kindergarten to old age.
She is also the lead author of the Christian Cottage Unit Studies, Learning Rivers Reading and Writing Program, and the Easy English Program which is currently used to teach English to the poor in over 20 nations.
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No Matter What!
Hey, Mom, I don’t really have much expertise in very many things, especially special needs kids. I don’t have a lot to say about this week’s topic . . . except . . . love that child.
I know the temptation for any parent of any child is to love the easy-to-love, the easy-to-teach, the smart, the happy, the good student . . . the (fill in the blank). Sometimes the ones that don’t fit those categories are harder to love or like, especially if you listen to the lies of the “achievers.”
They’re always saying how children should be doing this or that . . . by now or then, and sometimes special needs kids (and other kids for that matter) don’t, and so we begin to see our kids through the opposite of rose-colored glasses.
So let me encourage you, parents of ALL children, to love your children just the way they are . . . and stop wishing they’d be something else. On our podcast, The Smiling Homeschooler, we interviewed special needs expert Diane Craft. It's an amazing interview and sure to make you smile.
Be real,
Todd
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Your Special Needs Toolbox
Parents of children with special needs can feel particularly vulnerable. I understand. Not only were we the only homeschooling family in our small, rural community for a number of years, but I was also trying to homeschool with the added hurdles of a son with dyslexia, our oldest daughter with Information Processing Disorder, and our youngest who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Diverse challenges! I needed a safe place to ask questions and find reliable resources. That’s what I’m here to do for you today.
My husband is an auto technician, and he has a huge, rolling toolbox. On top, there is a lid that lifts up for easy access to items that are used frequently. The quick access area in your toolbox has to do with self-care.
Special needs parenting, while full of many joys and triumphs, can also be frustrating and exhausting. Make sure you always have a journal, your Bible, a list of specific and encouraging scriptures, and devotionals that will refresh you at your fingertips.
In the drawers below your quick-access area, you need some trustworthy places where you can glean advice and direction. Here is a brief list for your consideration:
In the compartments underneath these general resources, you’ll want to add books, magazines, social media groups and pages, local support groups, etc., having to do more specifically with the particular needs of your family.
Community is vitally important for special needs parents. It can be a relief to have the support of others who understand your path, require no backstory, and can offer compassion and wisdom as you navigate all the instructive valleys and exciting peaks your homeschooling journey has in store. You can do this, Mama! We are here for you!
Diane Heeney is a graduate of Bob Jones University, where she served on faculty for ten years. She has been Assistant to the Director of Advertisng Sales at The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine since 2016. She’s homeschooled her three children over the course of the past 18 years, having graduated their two oldest. Diane, her husband Patrick, and their youngest child, Katie, reside in eastern Wyoming.
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Clever Sandwiches!
Sandwiches can either be clever and kind to your blood sugar, or they can be very cruel, sending you out of the safe zone and harming your body. Perhaps you are only used to sandwiches made with white bread?
Being willing to try new foods (ones that you know will HELP your body), and telling yourself you can learn to love them, is an important part to making these changes of being the healthiest you!
Sandwiches made with whole grain breads that also contain protein are clever. The gentlest of breads on your blood sugar are either sprouted or sourdough, but you may not always have a chance to eat those. You usually will have the chance to choose whole grain bread over white bread though. So that’s what you should do when you can.
Whole grain means the fiber from the husk of the grain is still in the flour. White flours remove this husk, but the husk helps your blood sugar remain stable and provides your body with more nutrients. Think of a turkey sandwich with a juicy tomato or some fresh lettuce, flavorful cheese, crisp sliced pickle, and creamy mayo on some whole grain bread.
Now, that is a clever sandwich!
The Trim Healthy story started with sisters Serene Allison & Pearl Barrett who wrote a self-published book about food freedom and called it Trim Healthy Mama.
The message caught on as people shared their health transformations with others, and now millions have reclaimed their health and slimmed down living the family-friendly Trim Healhy Mama lifestyle. Serene and Pearl have 19 kids between them and have homeschooled all of them.
The sisters, their husbands, and families all work together to run the Trim Healthy Mama company, turning a lifetime of experiences into a movement that is transforming lives every day.
Trim Healthy Mama is produced by Trim Healthy Mama LLC. This company is not owned by The Old Schoolhouse, LLC (TOS), and TOS is not responsible for the content produced by Trim Healthy Mama. TOS may not approve of or endorse all content, resources, and other companies promoted by Trim Healthy Mama in its columns. The views and opinions expressed in this column or newsletter are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of TOS on any subject matter. The nutritional, health, and exercise advice and recommendations promoted by Trim Healthy Mama are not a substitute for medical advice. You should consult qualified health professionals for health, nutritional, and exercise guidance tailored to your individual needs.
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Encouragement, Reviews, Resources - Sally Matheny, 20+ years homeschool veteran, offers all of this plus giveaways to help you tell the next generation wondrous things https://www.sallymatheny.com
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SchoolhouseTeachers.com is rolling out the best of 2020—and you won’t be disappointed! Choose from the four best deals of the year including an option where you pay less than $10/month for an online education for the entire family!
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FALL in love with the NEW edition of The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine! US $15; Canada/Int. $25. Careers in Cooking, Transcripts, History of Chocolate/Bubble Gum, and more! www.GrabIssue.com
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Now is your time to shine! Parents all over the world are considering homeschooling and we are asking YOU to share your experience with them—this is YOUR chance to be a light in a dark hour!
Why did you begin homeschooling? How did your children feel about it in the beginning? What have you learned over the years?
Whether your children have already graduated or they are learning their ABCs, if you have homeschooled your children, we want to hear your story. Simply share an encouraging video about your homeschooling experience, with The Old Schoolhouse® to inspire families considering home education. All approved entrants will receive a $20 Amazon gift card or $25 gift card to the Schoolhouse Store (winner’s choice and not applicable on magazine subscriptions)! Judges will also choose ONE winning video each month through the end of 2020! Each winner will receive a Best of Video Award and a $150 Amazon gift card or cash (winner’s choice) and will be featured in The Homeschool Minute.
RULES:
- Create a video about your homeschooling experience being mindful of background noise and the setting.
- Maximum length: seven minutes.
- REQUIRED: Begin the video by using the most appropriate statement:
- Hello, I'm a homeschool Mom. Let me tell you my story.
- Hello, I'm a homeschool Dad. Let me tell you my story.
- Hello, I'm a homeschool Graduate. Let me tell you my story.
- Hello, I'm a homeschool Grandparent. Let me tell you my story.
- Hello, I’m a former homeschool (fill in the blank Mom, Dad, etc.) and have graduated (#) children. Let me tell you my story.
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Hello, I'm a homeschool SchoolhouseTeachers.com Lesson Designer. Let me tell you my story.
- Hello, I’m a homeschool Ambassador for TOS. Let me tell you my story.
- Hello, I’m a homeschool Mom and TOS staff member. Let me tell you my story.
- Hello, I’m a homeschool Dad and TOS staff member. Let me tell you my story.
4. Include three or more of the following talking points in your video:
- Why I began homeschooling
- What my kids thought about homeschooling at first
- What has helped me along the way
- How my kids have grown through homeschooling
- Here is a success story
- This is why I didn't give up
- How I teach/taught multiple ages
- How I deal with or dealt with socialization
- Teaching is easier than I thought! Here's why
- What I have learned in my homeschooling experience
- Why I believe my family is tighter because of homeschooling
- How I’ve seen the love of Christ manifested in our homeschool
5. Please do not include the following in your submitted video:
- Why you gave up homeschooling
- Why you put your kids back into public/private school
- Political rants
- Bashing any curriculum
- Profanity, complaining, murmuring of any kind
- Copyrighted music in the background (feel free to include your child’s original music)
6. Email your name, email address, video title, short video description, and video link to [email protected]. Include 2020 CONTEST SUBMISSION in the subject line. Please do NOT send the actual video but only the link to the video. Simply upload the video to Dropbox or WeTransfer (both have free options). By submitting your content you are giving TOS ownership of the video and the permission to use your video for promotional purposes. Changes may be made to the titles and descriptions to meet our SEO criteria. Winners will be chosen and contacted by email after the judges have reviewed the videos received during the submission period.
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Are you looking for more weekly encouragement and ideas? We have a team of homeschool moms who share their heart on a wide variety of topics. Some write about fun ideas of things to do, food to make, and places to go. Others tell of obstacles, struggles, milestones, and everyday life while going through this homeschooling journey. By receiving our weekly e-mail, you will not miss out on any of the great articles that are shared on our blog. Head over to receive your first e-mail on Saturday.
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Look What’s Happening!
College Bound is an ONLINE EVENT being held on Tuesday, September 15, hosted by the Christian Home Educators Association of California (CHEA of CA). To learn more, visit the website or contact [email protected].
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Did you know?
Every class is INCLUDED for ultimate members!
No limits.
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Need some help learning how to teach your one-of-a-kind student? SchoolhouseTeachers.com offers Special Needs Parenting, a nineteen-part course developed by special needs educational consultant Judi Munday. This program is especially appropriate for parents of children with dyslexia and other language-based learning challenges. We also offer many hands-on and video-based courses for your uniquely designed children. SchoolhouseTeachers.com is for every subject, every grade, every student.
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in the summer issue of
The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine.
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Congratulations to Jennifer Chandler from Alabama who won our June giveaway!
Contest Corner
for the month of September
The Hidden Message of the Great Seal
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Michael Kanis
The Hidden Message of the Great Seal is a well-researched historical book about the United States’ great seal. The author, Michael Kanis, goes through each image and word within the seal and explains the meaning behind it all. Through the author’s explanations, he seeks to show how significant the great seal is and the implications it has today.
This soft-covered book is just over 250 pages. It contains numerous images of historical documents, paintings, and drawings. Various charts and graphs scattered throughout the book help organize information nicely.
As you read The Hidden Message of the Great Seal: How Foundational Truth from the Dawn of Liberty May Rescue a Republic in Peril, you will see there is a trust every one of us has inherited as a keeper of this great republic. What a journey we can go on, with our children, as we explore different places, uncover the meaning behind historical symbols, and find the message hidden within.
See how Jefferson, Adams, and Franklin not only designed these symbols for a seal but also used allegory to place a hidden message within them. As each page is turned, find clues to piece this puzzle together and find a powerful truth.
The message of freedom expands as we go back to see how it relates to the covenant God established with Abraham. Learn about the roots of democracy and how they draw us ever nearer to the love of God.
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This is a shortened description of The Hidden Message of the Great Seal. You can see the whole description and 53 reviews from homeschool moms describing their families’ experience with this book on the Homeschool Review Crew site.
Go to the contest page of our site where you can ENTER TO WIN this engaging historical book.
Enter the contest for your chance to win The Hidden Message of the Great Seal. You can enter several times!
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