Today

Copywork:
Ethan's handwriting isn't really getting any better. I really think now that there is *something* going on.

History: They sat while I read. We watched a short movie on the internet and called it a day.

Literature:
Christian is working on The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood. I know he is a little old for Robin Hood to be a lit choice but he is reading it to compare/contrast it to a few movies we will watch when he is done.

Ethan and I were going to read the Velveteen Rabbit today, but didn't get a chance. (He is going to be my "helper" for the pre-school lit club and that is the book I picked.)

Alex is still waiting to hear what the middle older kid selection is for Lit club, so he can decide if he wants to be in the older or middle kid group. He is passing the time reading a book about Astronomy, one about lasers and of course in true uber geek fashion, "A Guide to the Star Wars Universe."

Math:
Christian- Did his first lesson in BCM and loved it! Stupid me didn't realize that I only have the answers to the odd numbered problems, so until the other solutions manual comes in he only has half the work. He was quite happy about that.

Alex- Took forever to do a few problems. It is so hard to do math when there is goofing off that needs to be done.

Ethan- Still struggling with borrowing. I really don't want to spend another month on borrowing with him. I don't know what to do. I have tried every way I know how to get it to "click" and yet it doesn't.

After being frustrated with Ethan taking two hours to do 3 lines of math problems (and get 1/3 of them wrong) I decide that is enough for our first day back and send them out to play. While they are out there I sit down at the computer to try to find something to help Ethan. I don't know what is wrong, but I know *something* is.

I have thought for a while that he might be dyslexic. We decided to have him evaluated, but first wanted to finish up his current ETC book, continue reading non-stop with and to him and try an online reading game.

I happened upon a link today that changed my mind.

At the top of the page was a paragraph that would blur, and then go back to normal. It said that 20% of all kids have undiagnosed vision problems. I had him come to the computer and asked him if this is what it was like when he tried to read. He said "Sort of, but there is two of everything." HUH??? Two of everything. Why hasn't he told me this before? He said that when he blinks a lot or squints it is clear enough for him to see for a second. I feel like such a crap mom.

Ok... so I read on. It turns out that the vision problems they are talking about are not just the normal "he needs glasses" kind, but something that usually involves eye muscle control, and requires vision therapy.

They recommend that your first stop be a regular optometrist to first see if he does need glasses. If that clears it up, great. If not, your next step should be a developmental optometrist who runs a vision therapy program. It is a good thing our first stop needs to be a regular O.D., because our super expensive health insurance doesn't cover vision therapy, or even the evaluation.

I also read that the Spalding method of teaching reading is highly recommended for people with dyslexia. I am going to pick up a copy from the library tomorrow and try it for the 9 weeks I can keep a book out. If it works, I will buy it.

On a brighter note we are all looking forward to the Renaissance Festival Friday. Marty took the day off so he can go and be silly with us.

Tomorrow we are off to the library to get Spalding and books for the reports on an astronomer of their choice. Marty is off so I think I might do a picnic in the park for lunch. We will have to see how the day goes.