We've Done It!

I am happy to report that the home schooling has begun.  Rebecca was pulled from Timber Point last Wednesday so we have been hard at work for a week now.  I am a bit overwhelmed, but it's getting easier each day.  Rebecca LOVES learning at home.  She is ready for each new task and I hear very few complaints.  However, the excitement has gotten the best of her and she has been early to rise each morning which means we are seeing lots of yawns throughout the day. I will be finalizing our curriculum plan next Monday in hopes that all of the materials will arrive during the winter break so that we can start a regular routine in January.  In the meantime we have been trying a variety of things - some we like and some we don't.  I suppose there will be a lot of trial and error as we go.

It's Almost Official

Our school change is becoming more real by the day!  I informed the principal today who was very supportive and shared ideas of his own to help make the process more successful.   I will be informing Rebecca's teacher this afternoon at her parent teacher conference, and then will send the letter below to our friends.  We are on the road to a new beginning...


Hi friends,

I wanted to let you all know of a big change in the Morganstein family.  After much thought, we have decided to pull Rebecca from Timber Point and have her do Independent Study (AKA home school).  As you are some of the important people in her life (and mine :)), it was important to us that we fill you in on what we are doing.  Our hope is that some of you can help your children understand what Rebecca's going through so that this transition will be easier for her.  Her biggest concern with this change is not loosing touch with her friends.

A little history on Rebecca (for those of you that don't know):  Rebecca was diagnosed as severely dyslexic and moderately dysgraphic (difficulty with handwriting) 3 years ago.  What this means is that Rebecca is a very typical, smart 9 year old little girl that has some learning differences.  Reading, writing, and spelling are difficult for her.   We've been working closely with the school and her teachers to find the appropriate accommodations to help her with her learning difference.  ALL of her teachers have been wonderful!  Unfortunately, though, Rebecca continues to struggle and is falling farther and farther behind.  Her brain works differently than the average student and she can not easily learn using traditional teaching methods.  She requires a multi sensory approach to learning in a more individualized setting of which our school can not provide.  We are sad to leave, but we need to do what is best for her so that she can be a successful student.  There is no doubt in my mind that she WILL succeed!  

Our goal is to try a new approach and teach Rebecca the skills she needs so that she can be re-enrolled in public school - hopefully in middle school.  We have enrolled in an Independent Study program through FAME Charter School.  They are based in Fremont, but have recently opened a learning center in Brentwood.  We will have a credentialed teacher visit us monthly to make sure we are staying on track.  Rebecca will be working on her studies at home with me, but will have an opportunity to take classes such as art, writing, science, etc. through the learning center starting in the spring.  Rebecca is VERY excited to start our new adventure.  We have spoken at great length about it.  Rebecca and I have weighed the pros and cons of home school and we agree that this is the best option for her right now.  As I said before, her biggest concern is her friends.  She is already asking about setting up regular play dates :).

Our new adventure will start soon, though we don't have a firm date yet.  Once enrollment process is done with FAME, Rebecca will be pulled from Timber Point.  It sounds like this may happen in the next 2 weeks.  Rebecca is very open to discussing her learning difference and home school.  In fact, she's been having a hard time keeping it to herself over the last few weeks that we've been discussing it.  We both believe that dyslexia not something that should be kept a secret or that she should be ashamed of.  Her dyslexia doesn't make her any less of a FANTASTIC kid, but it is a part of who she is - a part that will be with her forever.  Thanks for being there to support her (and I) in this journey.

Change is in the Air

I was feeling pretty good about school...in the beginning.  Things have changed.  Rebecca brought home a story she had written a couple weeks ago.  It was a FANTASTIC story.  Rebecca's creativity oozed from the page.  She was so proud; jumping all around the room in anticipation of me reading it.  Her first question was "What is my grade?"  I looked at the page and saw 1.5 out of 4.  I couldn't squash her excitement, so I told her she had received a good mark.  Before we started reading the 2 page story, I glanced at the grading rubric in which the teacher had highlighted areas that needed improvement.  Neatness and spelling/punctuation errors were noted.  Yes, we struggle with that.  Then I saw that the grading teacher couldn't find a clear beginning, middle, and end of the story.  It also apparently lacked creative details. This is what caused the 1.5 mark.  I then had Rebecca read me the story.  She had some difficulty recognizing some of her writing, but the smile on her face never faded.  It was by far the most creative, unique story she had ever written and was filled with amazing details.  It did indeed have a very clear beginning, middle and end.  The only thing I can think of is that the teacher couldn't read Rebecca's handwriting.  How else could she have gotten such a low mark on this very good story?  At that moment, I realized Rebecca couldn't be in this school any longer.  


Timber Point Elementary is no longer  the correct placement for my special child, not that it ever was.  They do not have the funding nor the training to meet Rebecca's needs.  I came to the realization that she will never be successful in this setting.  She is floundering and I can not... WILL NOT sit back and watch her fail.  Therefore, change is in the air.  The only way Rebecca will be successful in school is if she is taught the appropriate learning strategies to her special learning style.  I've spent the last week searching for a better placement, but there is none.  Our only option is Independent Study, otherwise known as Homeschool.  I found a charter school in Newark that is opening a site in Brentwood that will support our new adventure.  They send a teacher liaison to our home each month to check our progress.  They also pay for our curriculum and offer some extra curricular classes on site such as art, writing, and science.  


Rebecca and I have talked at great length about homeschool.  She was a on the fence in the beginning, but has sense become excited about the idea.  A few days ago, I knew I was on the right track.  We were driving to tutoring when Rebecca said to me "Mommy, I want to be homeschooled because I want to learn.  I am not learning in school.  I want to learn more."  There is something wrong with the public school system if a 9 year old doesn't feel as if she is learning in school.  There is no doubt in my mind that Rebecca will be incredibly successful in homeschool and in life.  Let the adventure begin!

Finally seeing progress

It's been a long road, but we are starting to see improvements in Rebecca's writing.  I believe writing to be Rebecca's biggest struggle.  She can read.  She is almost at grade level with reading.  Her reading doesn't flow as much as it should, but she can read.  Writing however...  Phew!  Letter reversals, spelling, letter transposing, spacing, punctuation, and handwriting make it challenging.  She has SO much in that cute little head of hers.  She spends hours in her room writing stories and even chapter books.  She'll run down stairs with excitement oozing.  But, she can't read back what she has written.  It is frustrating for her; frustrating for me that I can't "fix" her.

Our wonderful friend has taken Rebecca under her wing and is tutoring her using the Barton Method twice a week.  This started about 4 - 5 months ago  Great news!!!  Rebecca's letter reversals are getting better!  In fact, last night she didn't make one mistake.  Now, there are a few things to take into consideration...  Last night, she was well rested and did not have the stresses of school from earlier in the day since we are on fall break.  Both of those things contributed to this break through.  However, this shows her (and I) that she CAN do this!!  We are BOTH thrilled with her progress!!!

One Lucky Girl

School has started with a BANG - the bang of fantastic fireworks!  I met with Rebecca's 4th grade teacher the second week of school.  According to Rebecca's IEP, her teacher can modify her work in the classroom and at home as she sees fit.  Unfortunately, all the teachers I've spoken to so far have very little if any knowledge of how to teach a dyslexic child.  But as luck would have it, Mrs. Chavez was completely open to learning about how she can help our Rebecca.  She listened to all of my suggestions with her pencil and paper ready and as a team we planned all the arrangements we needed to make this a successful year for Rebecca.  Rebecca will have her own set of spelling words that use the spelling rule she is currently learning in after school tutoring.  She will also get extended time on work as needed, have handouts printed on blue paper, tests read to her when she struggles, and she can use the dragon computer software program at home that listens to her speech and puts it on paper.  In addition, she will sit in the front of the class and not be required to read allowed.  Rebecca is feeling motivated and excited by these accommodations. Rebecca is one lucky girl!!

School has Begun

We have the trendy haircut, the cute new book bag, the chic lunch box, and the environmentally friendly water bottle.  Ready or not, school has begun.  Rebecca is very positive about this year.  She has lots of friends in class and really likes her teacher.  I, on the other hand, am not so confident. Rebecca's writing has started out rough.  She has more backwards letters than normal - some are letters she has never reversed before.  She is also changing letter order which she doesn't do often.  I learned that fourth grade is a heavy writing grade.  Rebecca has many challenges ahead.  I have no doubt she will try her hardest. She is such a trooper!

Public School vs. Home School

To home school or not to home school?  That is the question...  I have been playing ping pong with this decision for the last year.  With fourth grade here in only days, the question consumes me.  I constantly wonder if throwing my sweet Rebecca into the public school system is the best thing for her.  They are not trained to work with her learning difference.  In fact, most of the teachers know very little about Dyslexia.  In addition, the administrators don't even accept the term Dyslexia.  It's like beating my head against a brick wall.  Rebecca started going to resource the end of last year.  I called and emailed several times to find out what methodology the resource room is using.  I never heard back from them.  Being that the school doesn't know about Dyslexia, I can only assume they aren't using a method that will help Rebecca.  She feels stressed at school.  She sees other kids finish their work before her.  She knows she is behind the other students.  Am I making a mistake having her go to school everyday?

So then I start to think about homeschooling.  Rebecca loves to learn.  As much as she and I butt heads at times, she is a dream when one on one.  If she had individual attention working in the style that works for her, would she make better progress?  Most likely, yes!  Home school is a perfect fit for her.  BUT...  What about socially? Sure, I could plan play dates with her friends.  But is that enough?  Rebecca is the type of 9 year old that socializes better with adults and younger children.  She struggles to fit in with kids her own age.  She needs that social interaction that a school provides - drama and all.  

There needs to be a happy medium.  But I can't find it.  I don't have a clue what to do.  So, my plan is to sit in on resource early in the year.  I want to see first hand how they are helping her.  I don't want that time to be solely catch up from the classroom.  Adjustments can be made within the classroom for that. I want to see some individual work with her on reading, spelling, and writing.  I also plan to meet with her teacher and see if we can come up with some kind of plan that will work for Rebecca.  We need to keep her self esteem up.  I want her to like school again.  At the same time I will be researching home school curriculum.  I will be talking to some friends who do home school and see how they deal with the socialization with their children.  I will then re-evaluate.  This year will work for Rebecca - one way or another.

School Starts in 4 Days

I can't believe the school bell will ring in only 4 days.  My oldest will start middle school. I'm not worried about him.  He is a good kid and is very smart.  The adjustment will be a little rough for both of us, but he'll be okay.  I am sure of that.  My youngest will be starting the first grade.  She got the very best teacher and I have no doubt she will have a successful year.  Rebecca will be starting the fourth grade.  I am scared to death!  I remember the fourth grade from a few years ago.  My son had the same teacher Rebecca has.  She is great!  But, it's a tough year.  Lots of homework.  Lots of reports.  Lots of projects.  Lots of reading.  Rebecca is bright and loves to learn.  I hope this year won't squash that.  I worry about her.  She already doesn't like school much.  She doesn't think she is smart.  She doesn't have many friends.  I can only hope we start this year strong.  I have new organizational ideas to help keep her on track.  And I have considered requesting little or no homework to help her through.  We'll see how it goes.  I know I need to take a step back and just see how it goes...  At least for a few days.

Fantastic Article

I saw a link to this article the other day and I just loved it.  I have read the third paragraph more times that I can count.  It just makes Dyslexia feel more normal.  So, I decided to add the link here so I can pull it up and read it whenever my little heart desires...

link  http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/office-diaries/201007/new-kind-literacy-lines-links

I Need an Outlet

I need an outlet.  My beautiful almost 9 year old daughter is dyslexic.  I knew this as soon as she started to talk.  Call it mothers' intuition.  After years of hearing from our school district that her issues were developmental, my husband and I chose to take her to an outside testing facility.  The summer after first grade, I finally learned it wasn't in my head after all.  Rebecca is severely Dyslexic and moderately Dysgraphic.  However, the district continues not to recognize her learning difference.  The testing results have been added to her file several times, but our school doesn't recognize Dyslexia as a specific learning disorder.  So, the fight continues.  After not seeing much improvement in Rebecca over the period of 5 Student Study Team meetings (SST) in a year and a half, the district agreed do their own tests with her.  The results were that she qualified for special education because of "reading problems".  Really?  Isn't that Dyslexia?  Funny thing is that reading isn't her weakest subject - spelling and writing are far more difficult for her.  This is no surprise for me since I already know Dyslexia encompasses far more than just reading.  But I will take what I can get.  Rebecca started going to resource during the last couple months of her third grade year.  I am not convinced it is the correct placement, but I will stick with it into the fourth grade and see where it takes us.  Fortunately for Rebecca, we have a wonderful friend who offered to tutor her twice a week.  They are working on the Barton Method.  Fourth grade will be tough.  It is a whole new world academically and there is no doubt Rebecca will struggle.  I often wonder how we will both get through.

I have set goals for myself this year.  I want to bring more awareness to Rebecca's special learning difference.  She is not alone in this and neither am I.  So why am I writing a blog?  I need an outlet. I have to believe that writing what Rebecca and I are going through will help me somehow get through our everyday struggles.  So many people don't understand.  I can't keep it bottled up...