Mathematical Mondays are back!

Over the summer I have played with routines, schedules, new habits, expectations, and goals, in all areas of life, from chores, to therapy, to family life. I have developed some areas I have to work on myself to make sure I can really do this. I am not just saying hello to homeschooling, but also good bye to public school ways of teaching, at least with regards to 'D', who has moved on entirely from his interest in playing school, and is now concentrated on learning, for the sake of learning and growing. Because he wants to again!!!

Choiceworks App - Schedule board

Mondays I focus all therapy on math skills. I take a therapy and skill building format to push ahead academic growth. I follow this to-do list for both kids regardless of ability or age. I aim for 'A's cognitive strengths, 'D's verbal strengths, and paired with my enthusiasm, we get-er done! I often finish it off with testing the waters out on other activities I hope to try the following week, to gauge their impression and reaction to the material, task, and medium.

'D' likes to be guided, and when it comes to math and language, prefers social interaction as a means to learn and practice. Here we used math charts for pre-algebra, played some games of ring-toss and catch outside, prepared some vegetables for dinner, and used puzzles that were appropriately challenging and not intimidating. Both kids have mastered the <2 year old puzzles, of any kind. 'A' works on his math and language skills through ipad apps, and hands-on support, meanwhile in cooking he helps prepare simple drinks, and picking out the right dishes and utensils. When he plays outside he loves to be in the sand and feel the wind through his hair.

Puzzles are a big hit. Here's why: 

- I use any kind they are interested in interacting with, and mix it up at the time. The idea is to keep them trying to sort out the pieces and putting them together, regardless the level of difficulty, and as they are comfortable, present the more challenging ones. 'A' is working on 3-piece puzzles. He is a very 'outside-the-box' type of personality, so puzzles also serve that role of teaching that some natural laws or common sense rules are a good thing!

Today's little successes: Learned that 'D' has a good grasp of how to tell time, he corrected me in my explanation of minutes and hours on the clock face! -- 'A' let me put my hand over his while using the ipad, first time in months!