In attendance: Cher Silva, Charlene Clegg, Becky Rasmussen, Julie Koester, Melinda Cox, and another whose handwriting I can't read.
 

Here are some of the things we came up with when analyzing the draft instructions for English/Language Arts.

  1. We like the General Interventions/Activity Suggestions.  Agree with Limit television and recreational/computer time to rewards; suggest that these be replaced with books on tape as often as possible (for the reward of the "movie in your head")
  2. We suggest a reading inventory be provided so parent can assess child's reading level.
  3. We suggest someone like Dr. Rosenow give Vision Therapy after a vision and hearing check.
  4. Other checks: allergies, medications.

 Activity suggestions

  1. We suggest under activity suggestions that listening to books on tape be closer to top of activity suggestions (below Read to and with your child).  We would like to add that the library has suggestions and other links.  The vendor, Educational Record Center www.erckids.com has books on tape. 
  2. Students could play "parts of speech" BINGO
 

Book suggestions

  1. We suggest that child-friendly books and magazines be kept in baskets or on shelves at home at level for children to reach.  We suggest reading recognition programs such as Pizza Hut's BookIt program http://www.bookitprogram.com/default.asp of rewards; also check with the local libraries and other fast foods and ice cream parlors. 
  2. We suggest parents sharing the 50's era series to get children interested in using their imaginations: Boxcar Children, Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys (even some Star Wars).  These go a long way in unlocking the child's interest and making learning to read a delight.
Along with the 100 Greatest Books, many website lists, such as as
  1. http://www.teachersfirst.com/100books.htm, 
  2. http://www.nea.org/readacross/resources/catalist.html
  3. New book by Silvey, 100 Best Books for Children at Borders/Amazon and:
  4. http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/booksellers/press_release/100best/questions.shtml
  5. See Jim Trelease's home page http://www.trelease-on-reading.com/ for ideas about reading (books also available from Borders/Amazon
  6. Dover Publications http://store.doverpublications.com/by-subject-holidays-easter-shop-classics-for-children.html
  7. Classics lists http://www.gti.net/rocktwp/classics.html#children
  8. Modern classics list http://www.weberpl.lib.ut.us/booklists/books.php?BookListID=10&SortOrder=Author

Classics on-line such as

  1. Spectrum Phonics by McGraw Hill is one way to support phonics for beginning readers; there are other favorites (we are looking for good, basic support and will share your ideas). 
  2. Once the student is up and reading, something like Megawords may be all that is necessary. 
  3. Zaner Bloser has a good phonics program (as well as handwriting).
  4. Phonics Pathways has proven successful for guiding struggling readers http://www.dorbooks.com/
 

Grammar

  1. Easy Grammar http://www.easygrammar.com/ with Daily Grams or
  2. Daily Language Review http://www.evan-moor.com/store.asp,
  3. Grammar with a Giggle will be the answer for those in high school (some may find the story inappropriate or offensive in places--see reviews on Borders/Amazon http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0929895045/104-8365604-0158326?v=glance)
  4. G.U.M. is not the most helpful as students must know and practice the rules before they can apply them as they are expected to do in G.U.M. 
  5. Editor-In-Chief by Block  ISBN 0894555154 at Borders/Amazon (this is a series from A1 - upwards) starting at about grade 4.  Students actually practice editing written material.
 . 
 

Spelling suggestions:

  1. Spelling Power is available through http://www.thehomelearnerscatalog.com/  Students take a placement test and work with rules, no workbooks, for 15 min. a day (2nd grade +)
  2. Spelling Connections has also been recommended as research-based,  developmental http://www.zaner-bloser.com/html/SPsample.html
  3. MegaWords from Educators Publishing Service: Multisyllabic Words for Reading, Spelling, and Vocabulary, with spelling rules and much practice (also assists with reading) http://www.epsbooks.com/
  4. Phonics Pathways can also assist with spelling (see above source).
  5. Institute for Excellence in Writing Spelling Program comes highly recommended by those who have tried it (and there are sample videos on the website) http://www.writing-edu.com/index.phtml
  6. Spelling Workout got mixed reviews on http://homeschoolreviews.com/reviews/spellworkout.html
  7. Spellbound from EPS earned a good review for having the rules in short lessons (7th gr. +)
  8. JumpStart from www.greatsource.com is a popular CD series from K-5 (also with spelling bee)
  9. http://homeschoolreviews.com/resources/diy/spelling.html (bookmark this page for ideas) has links to inspire.
 

Writing  ideas in addition to those given: 

  1. we should have a monthy essay contest for prizes.  Students need to write for finish, for publication, to be read.
  2. Under on-line writing program-_Stanford's EPGY doesn't appear to be for intervention or for any but gifted and those with plenty of budget (maybe should be left out of this consideration).