Hello,
We are in week 3 of first grade with my oldest daughter, who turned 6 at the beginning of August. Last year, we completed All About Reading level 1, but I felt that she wasn't retaining it all even though she could read the words during the lessons. We got MP K around November of last year, and she also did the majority of First Start Reading but not exactly as written and not in its entirety. I tried to keep her K year relaxed as she was a young 5, but now I'm wondering if she is ready for all of MP 1st.
She gets very stressed when she comes to a word she doesn't know in the Primary Phonics readers. Some days, it seems she will do great with them, and others, I realize that I'm helping her start multiple words and maybe she just guesses what they are through context clues. We started At the Fair With Cecil and Alice yesterday, and she was in tears before the end of the book. My husband has observed and feels that she has a lot of heart issues right now, with just learning that homeschooling is structured, is not "do whatever you want because Mommy is my teacher," and requires concentrated focus more now that she's a big girl. She seems to do okay with Rod and Staff math, but will balk at a page of facts, even if she knows them. She usually doesn't mind the phonics workbooks as much, and I feel I do have to help her a lot with Spelling Workout because it's a new subject to her.
I guess I'm asking if I need to stop where we are, and do nothing but phonics review? Spend more time with the lists in Classical Phonics? We do read those lists before each reader, and she gets it. After a few words, she sees the pattern and can read face, place, space, etc. But when all those words end up in a story together, she forgets that a few days ago we learned two sounds for -ow, or that -ay makes a sound, or that y can be an e. I have never taught phonics before and taught myself how to read at a very young age, so this is all new to me! I don't want to give her a negative view of reading when it is the key to everything she'll do in school.
Thank you for any advice you might have, and confirmation that mine isn't the only six-year-old girl who already says she doesn't like school.
In Christ,
Jessica
We are in week 3 of first grade with my oldest daughter, who turned 6 at the beginning of August. Last year, we completed All About Reading level 1, but I felt that she wasn't retaining it all even though she could read the words during the lessons. We got MP K around November of last year, and she also did the majority of First Start Reading but not exactly as written and not in its entirety. I tried to keep her K year relaxed as she was a young 5, but now I'm wondering if she is ready for all of MP 1st.
She gets very stressed when she comes to a word she doesn't know in the Primary Phonics readers. Some days, it seems she will do great with them, and others, I realize that I'm helping her start multiple words and maybe she just guesses what they are through context clues. We started At the Fair With Cecil and Alice yesterday, and she was in tears before the end of the book. My husband has observed and feels that she has a lot of heart issues right now, with just learning that homeschooling is structured, is not "do whatever you want because Mommy is my teacher," and requires concentrated focus more now that she's a big girl. She seems to do okay with Rod and Staff math, but will balk at a page of facts, even if she knows them. She usually doesn't mind the phonics workbooks as much, and I feel I do have to help her a lot with Spelling Workout because it's a new subject to her.
I guess I'm asking if I need to stop where we are, and do nothing but phonics review? Spend more time with the lists in Classical Phonics? We do read those lists before each reader, and she gets it. After a few words, she sees the pattern and can read face, place, space, etc. But when all those words end up in a story together, she forgets that a few days ago we learned two sounds for -ow, or that -ay makes a sound, or that y can be an e. I have never taught phonics before and taught myself how to read at a very young age, so this is all new to me! I don't want to give her a negative view of reading when it is the key to everything she'll do in school.
Thank you for any advice you might have, and confirmation that mine isn't the only six-year-old girl who already says she doesn't like school.
In Christ,
Jessica
It is so easy to overthink these things, or worry that we are "behind," but behind whom? I think going back makes the most sense, especially if we are committed to moving forward with MP.
Also, I have two older children who just began MP this year as well. They too are not thrilled about the work load and have made clear that they "hate school". First, I correct their bad attitude. Then, I check my attitude. I have found that if I am getting grumpy about the workload or feeling pulled in too many directions, it shows. My kids pick up on it and reflect it back to me. Lastly, I offer a quick water break or give the child a chore to complete in less five mins. Just walking away from the work seems to help reset their minds and give them the "oooommph" they need to complete the task. One more golden nugget, this was possibly the most freeing thing I Learned this summer. School doesn't have to be fun. Learning is Hard. The JOY of learning comes in knowing the answer. Every time I relay that info I think I sigh a breath of relief. I have seen it firsthand now too. My older children are taking weekly quizzes and tests and getting every answer correct, they are thrilled and impressed with themselves! Even my first grader lights up when he recalls the phonics sounds and rules from a previous lesson. :0) 
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