love to paint

I understood a little more, but I was still faced with the question of how does one help a child who is struggling to learn to read? I found this document online:   http://www.carlscorner.us.com/intervention/interventions.pdf   that gives all sorts of ideas for different reading struggles.  The strategies there are for struggling readers that don't have diagnosed learning disabilities. My suspicion is that reading disabilities run a wide gamut--from very mild to profound.  Students with very mild disabilities would likely be able to "get by" in class and find strategies to cover up or cope with their difficulties.  I'm learning that it is difficult to get a child tested early.  One mom told me last week that she had to pay independently to have her first grader tested.  I know that if you are a homeschooler where I live, the county will test your child, but you have to go through a ton (!) of red tape to get it done.  This mom's story agreed w...

A public school perspective... Last fall, I had a chance to go visit my friend's second grade classroom in a nearby public school.  It was very interesting to me.  My friend had asked me to come observe and see if there were any helpful suggestions I could give her.  One thing I noted in my conversation with her afterwards was how rigid the curriculum demands of our county are on what she teaches.  She has to teach to the standardized tests.    But, kids are better off long term if they have skills to problem solve, to think critically about a test question, and can answer questions in complete sentences.  Right now they are being taught to answer a question with yes/no or two to three word answers.  But, my friend loves her kids and wants what is best for their education short-term... and long-term.  So, what are her options? A homeschool perspective... I focus on the basics--reading, writing, and arithmetic.  We also study health, ...