Explode the Code

[lisaann]

Has anyone here used it? What did you think?

My dd is struggling with a pretty intense audio processing disorder (she registers in the 1st % with receptive language :() The people that did her testing recommended that I use Orton Gillingham materials for reading and spelling skills. I saw Explode the Code listed on their website and thought I remembered hearing good about it. She is extremely visual, to the point dh and I think we are going to all learn sign language just to help her out when she is confused or not getting something. I think this will really help me with teaching her as well. She's not deaf, she just can barely process audio information at all.

I'm open to other suggestions if you have them.

[WalkTheLine]

Bless you your heart the sign language comment is priceless.

While I have not heard of the Explode the Code this, I have four of the most dyslexic kids you could ever meet. My daughter is in college and has a better than 3.0 GPA, my son is entering college and yet has worked as apprentice electrician for 3 years. Not an easy task, the younger ones do well. It has take time an patience with their reading, one thing we did find is they push themselves when the subject of the book is of high interest. Think about books you read to them when they were younger, start getting them to read them the memory of you reading it may be a strong influence to have her stick to it.

All of my kids are home schooled, K-12. The one benefit that is lost in homeschooling is how close a family gets. The kids relate better to generation groups outside of their own peer group better. Sorry I don't have any info on the Explode thing but I wanted to encourage you! :thumb

[lisaann]

:D Thank you for the encouragement, I really need it right now. This testing has made dd very "aware" of her problem now and she is really struggling. She's only 8. :(

[NewWorldOrder]

Explode the Code is good, though when you look at it it seems very simplistic. You may try one book and see how she does. You can buy Explode the Code at Mardel and other Christian book stores that carry homeschool curriculum.

Another thing you may want to try, since she is a visual learner, is use movies for learning in the areas of literature, history, and maybe science. There is a curriculum I just heard about called Movies in Literature , and it's just what it sounds like. It takes classic books that have been made into movies, and utilizes them for learningbut it's a highschool curriculum. I found this instead http://teachwithmovies.org/. There is something similar for history called Drive thru History. http://www.drivethruhistory.com/

[lisaann]

I'm glad to hear it's simplistic NWO. That's exactly what she needs at this point. :thumb

[Mommytoa3rdgradeboy]

Hi, Lisaann--although I know NOTHING about home schooling, I too just wanted to give you some encouragement...looks like you are doing a wonderful job with your daughter--one thing I do know is that kids DO learn better in DIFFERENT ways. My son, is a hand on learner--and the school system isn't a hand-on learning system too much. So, hand in there--don't be too discouraged over the "test" scores. Just keep working with her.

Proverbs 22
On Life and Conduct

1 A good name is to be more desired than great wealth, Favor is better than silver and gold.
2 The rich and the poor have a common bond, The LORD is the maker of them all.
3 The prudent sees the evil and hides himself, But the naive go on, and are punished for it.
4 The reward of humility and the fear of the LORD Are riches, honor and life.
5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse; He who guards himself will be far from them.
6 Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it.

I used to really stress about my son's grades in school, but I have learned that he is not me and he's not a "mini-me". I was a very good student, loved to study and loved school, in general. My son, on the other hand, struggles. He really tries very hard and it takes him 2-3 times longer to do something than his peers. I've tried to encourage him by explaining that he is to do HIS best, and I will be very pleased with his work. I have finally come to the conclusion that he will not be the best student in his class, nor will be be the star quarterback--and that's ok, because I want him to be a "good" Christian and be able to share his Christian qualities with others as he gets older. So to me, yes, school and grades are important to an extent, but I'd rather focus on helping my child grow as a Christian, and be a good example to him.

Will say a prayer for your situation. Hope you are having a good day.

[lisaann]

:hug

[MidwestMama]

We aren't officially homeschooling but supplement a lot at home. We've used several of the Explode the Code books and I really like them. They usually have 8-10 pages per concept/lesson... it's easy to start out with 2-3 pages and decide if you need to do more. They also have "in between" workbooks, like 1 1/2, 2 1/2, etc. for if your child needs more practice before moving onto the next level. Definitely get one and give it a try.

Good luck... it looks like you may not have an easy time of it, but it sounds like your daughter will be well off in your hands!! :)

Cris