Autumn is here. The Swallows and Swifts have left for warmer climes. Today felt cold even under a thick hoody.
Hawklad is making great strides on the dyslexia front. His reading is really good, now able to read History Textbooks. It’s hard to believe that back in 2020 he struggled to read books aimed at 6 and 7 year olds and school had decided that he would never read, so there was no point trying anymore. Sadly I realise they never really started trying in the first place. I had even gone out and bought a reading pen. He can now accurately read maybe 80% of the words then he can make educated guesses on most of the other ones. It works for him and that’s all that matters.
What is still very much a work in progress is his number dyslexia. He has finally conquered his difficultly with 4 and 7’s. Getting the two mixed up and often writing the two numbers back to front. But he just can’t break the roadblocks that are decimal points, fractions and minuses. Today he was easily expanding out complex equations, yet he would immediately grind to a halt when faced with something like +5-7. He just can’t visualise that. The problem is at home I can gently help with that, but in an exam there is no help.
This week has also highlighted another school stumbling block with reading. SHAKESPEARE. Hawklad’s way of reading just can’t cope with Shakespearean language and spellings.
And I will take thy word: yet if thou swear’st,
An open et caetera, thou a poperin pear!
I did try to read the sonnets to him but I struggle with Shakespeare as well. Plus according to Hawklad when I read, my character voice sounds like I’m reading parts from a SpongeBob cartoon. My Romeo apparently is a dead ringer for Patrick. But at least we have a solution to this one. Just watch the play on thou swear’st Netflix.
A Dad trying to cope with the loss of his Partner and becoming a single parent. 
I always love reading your posts about Hawked because you are so patient with him and it clearly pays off!! I have very strong feelings about individualized education and the importance of creating individualized plans to ensure that students are provided resources that align with their learning style. I would have to agree with you guys on Shakespeare though. He is difficult to read. 😦 I am glad you are finding a way to make his writing more enjoyable! Blessings
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Apparently a lot of Shakespeare was longer and more boring:
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That’s a chuckle, so true.
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Thank you ❤️. That’s the problem with school today. It’s become like a factory production line. All pupils are forced down the same lines regardless of if it suits the child. That’s never going to work. 🙏
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I am not sure if this will help or not but I taught T to count back from the number to 0 So it became 0 and going the other way to count up. Or take the -7 and count five upwards to 0. I know it seems really easy for us. And I am not trying to be patronizing in the least, it was how I learned it myself. Teaching myself. Hugs to both of you. 🙂
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Will try that. We have tried drawing arrows fir the direction but he still so struggles to visualise it. ❤️
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I used 0 as the starting point it seemed to make things easier. Mind I never figured math put til I was in my 20’s and long out of school.
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It throws him so much and it comes up so much in the exams. It’s worrying.
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Hugs to both of you 🤗🤗🤗
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These are all wonderful successes to celebrate, Gary. He is moving at his own pace and guided thanks to you. The exams piece for sure will be more stressful without your guidance but you will no doubt figure out a way for him to succeed. 🙏
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The question might arrive if we decide the exams are not going to work out for him.
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🤞🏻🙏
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Reading, mastered (to the exclusion of the Bard, oh well), maths next…
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Let’s hope that part of maths is next
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Gary you are doing excellent parenting. The school can never match your level of dedication
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Too many kids are let down by the school system. Too many great teachers are not allowed to teach.
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Very very tragic
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Definitely is
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🥲
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❤️
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Forget reading the part of Romeo, let Stephen have a go at reading about true love, for he has the knack:
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I could listen to his voice all day.
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Really interesting on the maths. Is it the concept of say -5 + 7, or the computation. What happens, for example if you meet this on a calculator (paper). Anyway, as said already, interesting challenge…am off to see what I can find on this
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It’s the concept. He just can’t visualise what a minus is.
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OK…that is trickier. Did read an interesting article on a dyslexia site you are doubtless familiar with about a US student allowed to use a calculator on all maths assessments. Buy this, I appreciate, is not helping you! x
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There is one paper you can use a calculator but the others it’s banned. x
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In UK GCSE, its 3 maths papers now, 2 calculator, one not calculator. However, if your son is struggling with the concept, I’m not sure the calculator helps.
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The frustration is that he gets the principles behind all the mathematical stuff, they just fall down when a couple of things are introduced.
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Such good news on the reading front
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It really is. Made such a difference to his quality of life and self esteem
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I’m sure
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Shakespeare can be a challenge for everyone but even more for people with dyslexia. I think it is really cool that you got a reading pen for Hawklad. I did not even know they exist. What a great way to guide him better.
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They can really help but I suspect if he had started using it, he wouldn’t have made so much reading progress.
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He definitely learns more when making the big effort and does it all by himself. But sometimes, it may be very supportive.
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He does.
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I hadn’t heard of a reading pen before now. I’ll have to research that for some young people that I know who might benefit.
Thanks for sharing!
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They are great. Can help people read but can’t handle handwriting.
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It is always good to visit Gary. He often comes up with things I have not heard before 😊
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Every day should be a school day for everyone 😊
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You are such a good dad!
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That’s very kind of you 🙏
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With Shakespeare we used graphic novels or Shakespeare for kids books to find out the gist, then watched a movie of it (The Globe online is awesome) then close-read the famous bits. Worked for us.
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Yes that sounds like a plan
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You always make me laugh even when you’re post are serious you always find away to lighten it up. Your son is in such great hands.i wouldn’t worry too much he will make it work with you beside him.❤️
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I wish I could hear your Patrick voice reading Shakespeare!
You sound like a very supportive Father. He’s a fortunate child.
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That would liven up Shakespeare. Thank you 🙏
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Glad Hawklad’s reading has come on so much! To think the school said he’d never read! Go Hawklad! Xx
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If we had listened then he might never have found out that he could. How many other kids does this happen to. x
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You’re a great dad and doing such a fantastic job with your son.
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Thank you 🙏
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You’re welcome!
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