"With the motto, "Shining a Light on Exemplary Christian Books," the Illumination Book Awards are designed to honor the year’s best new titles written and published with a Christian worldview."
Thursday, January 9, 2014
Hope Is My Anchor: Illumination Award Winner! Invisible Illness, Visi...
Hope Is My Anchor: Illumination Award Winner! Invisible Illness, Visi...: The results of the 2013 Illumination Awards have been posted, and Invisible Illness, Visible God has won a bronze medal in the Devotional category!
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Hope Is My Anchor: Hope Is My Anchor: The Spatula Thief Strikes Again...
Hope Is My Anchor: Hope Is My Anchor: The Spatula Thief Strikes Again...: Hope Is My Anchor: The Spatula Thief Strikes Again! Merry Christmas K... : Two years ago, my daughter wanted a detective-themed party for he...
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Forgetting Plates and Auditory Processing
Conversation with my daughter this morning....
Me: how are you doing this morning?
Anna: Fine...forgetting a plate.
Me: forgetting a plate?
I'm wondering...what bearing does this have on how she's doing? Where is the plate--in her room? I've told the kids not to keep dishes in their rooms. What's so important about this plate?
Anna: For. Getting. Up. Late!
Yes, I'm auditorily challenged this morning!
I often have a similar glitch--the spaces between words disappear and my mind has to tease out the sounds and decide which ones form words. When I was 7, I asked "what?" whenever my mother spoke to me...so often that she had my hearing tested! What I heard was...
somethingakintotryingtoreadasentencewithnospacesbetweenthewords.
My hearing tested fine, and I learned to stop saying "what?" all the time, to pause, and to wait for the sounds to separate into meaningful words in my mind. And it works...most of the time.
There is that line in Jingle Bells that puzzled me for years. It made sense to me that they were "making spare-ribs bright." That meant they were putting lots of barbecue sauce on them--one of my favorite meals! It would be warm and cozy after a breezy sleigh-ride. But why they took soap with them was just beyond me. ("a one-horse soap and sleigh.")
And then there was that country song..."You picked a fine time to leave me, Lucille." I could never figure out why he was so worried about his crop in the field, since he had 400 children. My mother would have put those children to work in that field, and they'd get the job done! Years later I laughed when I realized...it was "four hungry children."
Enunciation. It's a good thing!
When I started homeschooling, I learned about Central Auditory Processing Disorder, and my glitches started making sense to me!
If you've ever questioned your child's hearing and not found anything wrong...this may be what's going on.
Some things that help:
Slow down just a bit when you read aloud. Pause just slightly more between sentences and paragraphs.
Have your child sit where he or she can watch your mouth so that the sounds will be crisper. For example, letters like M and N can be very difficult to distinguish, but it's easy to see the difference in how we form these sounds.
Do school work in a quiet room with few distractions--your child will be using a lot of energy trying to focus on what you say. This is especially important for reading and spelling work.
Use multi-sensory methods to reinforce your teaching, rather than relying on one method (this has been found helpful for all kids, actually, but is even more important when a child has a struggle with one particular method). Don't attempt to explain things all orally--use manipulatives to "show" what you are saying in math, or letter tiles for reading or spelling. (Programs like Math-U-See, All About Reading, and All About Spelling integrate manipulatives.)
Shorten explanations and directions. (Remember the teacher on the Peanuts cartoons?! That's what our children hear when we talk too long or too quickly!) wah-wa-wah-wah-wahhhhhh....
Don't avoid reading aloud--my daughter sometimes has similar missteps in her hearing, and when she was young, she often didn't enjoy our read-aloud time. I think continuing with read-alouds strengthened this mode of learning for her though, and she came to enjoy read-alouds a lot (still one of the favorite parts of our day--here's one of her favorite ways to listen!)
Allow for “lag time” while your child processes what you just said--they need time to let all the sounds become (hopefully meaningful!) words.
Don't take it personally if your child becomes frustrated or argumentative during a lesson--that may be a sign you need to back up a bit, review something easier, and try the new concept again in a bit or even on a new day.
And...laugh. After all...forgetting a plate IS pretty funny!
Me: how are you doing this morning?
Anna: Fine...forgetting a plate.
Me: forgetting a plate?
I'm wondering...what bearing does this have on how she's doing? Where is the plate--in her room? I've told the kids not to keep dishes in their rooms. What's so important about this plate?
Anna: For. Getting. Up. Late!
Yes, I'm auditorily challenged this morning!
I often have a similar glitch--the spaces between words disappear and my mind has to tease out the sounds and decide which ones form words. When I was 7, I asked "what?" whenever my mother spoke to me...so often that she had my hearing tested! What I heard was...
somethingakintotryingtoreadasentencewithnospacesbetweenthewords.
My hearing tested fine, and I learned to stop saying "what?" all the time, to pause, and to wait for the sounds to separate into meaningful words in my mind. And it works...most of the time.
There is that line in Jingle Bells that puzzled me for years. It made sense to me that they were "making spare-ribs bright." That meant they were putting lots of barbecue sauce on them--one of my favorite meals! It would be warm and cozy after a breezy sleigh-ride. But why they took soap with them was just beyond me. ("a one-horse soap and sleigh.")
And then there was that country song..."You picked a fine time to leave me, Lucille." I could never figure out why he was so worried about his crop in the field, since he had 400 children. My mother would have put those children to work in that field, and they'd get the job done! Years later I laughed when I realized...it was "four hungry children."
Enunciation. It's a good thing!
When I started homeschooling, I learned about Central Auditory Processing Disorder, and my glitches started making sense to me!
If you've ever questioned your child's hearing and not found anything wrong...this may be what's going on.
Some things that help:
Slow down just a bit when you read aloud. Pause just slightly more between sentences and paragraphs.
Have your child sit where he or she can watch your mouth so that the sounds will be crisper. For example, letters like M and N can be very difficult to distinguish, but it's easy to see the difference in how we form these sounds.
Do school work in a quiet room with few distractions--your child will be using a lot of energy trying to focus on what you say. This is especially important for reading and spelling work.
Use multi-sensory methods to reinforce your teaching, rather than relying on one method (this has been found helpful for all kids, actually, but is even more important when a child has a struggle with one particular method). Don't attempt to explain things all orally--use manipulatives to "show" what you are saying in math, or letter tiles for reading or spelling. (Programs like Math-U-See, All About Reading, and All About Spelling integrate manipulatives.)
Shorten explanations and directions. (Remember the teacher on the Peanuts cartoons?! That's what our children hear when we talk too long or too quickly!) wah-wa-wah-wah-wahhhhhh....
Don't avoid reading aloud--my daughter sometimes has similar missteps in her hearing, and when she was young, she often didn't enjoy our read-aloud time. I think continuing with read-alouds strengthened this mode of learning for her though, and she came to enjoy read-alouds a lot (still one of the favorite parts of our day--here's one of her favorite ways to listen!)
Allow for “lag time” while your child processes what you just said--they need time to let all the sounds become (hopefully meaningful!) words.
Don't take it personally if your child becomes frustrated or argumentative during a lesson--that may be a sign you need to back up a bit, review something easier, and try the new concept again in a bit or even on a new day.
And...laugh. After all...forgetting a plate IS pretty funny!
Friday, September 27, 2013
Petrifying Purple Pajama Incident
I think it's been long enough that I can share this story safely. I have a confession. I'm responsible for spreading a stereotype all over town here.
Oh the shame!
It was a cold day in February about 2.5 years ago...
I went to the doctor's office to pick up some paperwork, took my son to guitar, went INTO the bank (not just the drive-thru, noooo...), went into the library, and helped my son get his "adult" library card (where we freely admitted he has no picture ID because we homeschool). As we turned to leave the library, I realized that I still had on my purple nightgown!!!
I had been cold when I woke up, so I threw on some pants and a big warm sweater over top, thinking I'd get dressed later. We got busy with school, I did some work, and then it was time to go to guitar so we left...and my then 14 year-old, dearly beloved son said nary a word to me about my snowflake-bedecked nightgown sticking at least a foot below my sweater!
While I was driving to his guitar lesson, we saw a guy who was sagging almost to the knees! We had such a hoot--really, I don't know how the guy could walk, he looked so ridiculous--but there I was not even realizing I was in my PJ's and making my own fashion statement, LOL!
And WHY didn't said dearly beloved son say anything? He just didn't think about it. Boys! I told him he should be embarrassed to be seen in public with his mother in a night gown and should tell me next time!
Oh the shame!
It was a cold day in February about 2.5 years ago...
I went to the doctor's office to pick up some paperwork, took my son to guitar, went INTO the bank (not just the drive-thru, noooo...), went into the library, and helped my son get his "adult" library card (where we freely admitted he has no picture ID because we homeschool). As we turned to leave the library, I realized that I still had on my purple nightgown!!!
I had been cold when I woke up, so I threw on some pants and a big warm sweater over top, thinking I'd get dressed later. We got busy with school, I did some work, and then it was time to go to guitar so we left...and my then 14 year-old, dearly beloved son said nary a word to me about my snowflake-bedecked nightgown sticking at least a foot below my sweater!
While I was driving to his guitar lesson, we saw a guy who was sagging almost to the knees! We had such a hoot--really, I don't know how the guy could walk, he looked so ridiculous--but there I was not even realizing I was in my PJ's and making my own fashion statement, LOL!
And WHY didn't said dearly beloved son say anything? He just didn't think about it. Boys! I told him he should be embarrassed to be seen in public with his mother in a night gown and should tell me next time!
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Homeschooling with chronic illness or pain?
Great new review for Invisible Illness, Visible God on Amazon today! Minnie writes:
Amazon is sold out right now, but Barnes & Noble online has it in stock and they also do free shipping on orders $25 and up.
I can't say enough about this devotional. It is so comforting to read, especially if you yourself are going through any kind of trial: illness, job loss, relationship problem, etc. It is filled with God's word and promises but also filled with very real emotions that we all experience at different times of our lives. It is hard to use as a daily devotional because I want to read it all at once (it's that good!).
Amazon is sold out right now, but Barnes & Noble online has it in stock and they also do free shipping on orders $25 and up.
I have it in stock here on Hope Is My Anchor too, if you would like a signed copy. I talk with so many homeschoolers who are caring for loved ones that have chronic illness or pain. I hope you will check it out!
Monday, September 9, 2013
Friday, August 23, 2013
SNEAK PEEK! All About Reading 3
I JUST had a sneak peek at the "Chasing Henry" story--so adorable! Some friends help this charming little lizard hatch out of a friend, and then try to raise him--and he gets into mischief as only he can! But I don't want to give away the ending...
And what kid doesn't like the thought of finding lost treasure? The illustrations, as always are enthralling to kids of many ages.
One more sneak peak at some of the fun activities...My kids would have had so much fun with this when they were learning to read!
See all of the online samples here:
Thursday, August 22, 2013
All About Reading 3 Samples!
If you have been waiting for All About Reading 3, the samples are available online now! (I love the story in Shipwreck about Cedric the Brave Knight...who's afraid of cats!)
You can see samples of the Teacher's Manual, Activity Book, and both readers. Also, here's a placement test to see if your child is ready for Level 3. Enjoy!
You can see samples of the Teacher's Manual, Activity Book, and both readers. Also, here's a placement test to see if your child is ready for Level 3. Enjoy!
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Hope Is My Anchor: Radio Interview Link
Hope Is My Anchor: Radio Interview Link: If you missed my inteview on Katherine Albrecht's show, here's a direct link . Katherine has lived through breast cancer and really ...
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Hope Is My Anchor: Radio Interview...Take 2!
Hope Is My Anchor: Radio Interview...Take 2!: My interview has been rescheduled! On Monday, August 5th, 5-6 Eastern (4-5 Central), you can hear me on the Dr. Katherine Albrecht show. We'll be discussing chronic illness and my recent devotional book, Invisible Illness, Visible God: When Pain Meets the Power of an Indestructible Life.
Click here to find out how you can tune in or listen later. Hope you'll be able to catch the show! Merry :-)
Click here to find out how you can tune in or listen later. Hope you'll be able to catch the show! Merry :-)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)