Curriculum

A Few of My Favorite Homeschool Curricula for Students With Dyslexia 

Best Math Programs for Teaching Kids With Dyslexia

Math-U-See:  An uncomplicated, hands-on, time-tested program for teaching math.  Children learn each mathematical concept by building it, writing it and saying it. Used with base 10 math manipulatives, many dyslexic children find success with Math U See. Our family uses Math-U-See in grades K-2 and then switch to Teaching Textbooks. If you have a child who needs a more hands on approach to learning math, stick with Math-U-See a bit longer. MUS teaches Algebra completely differently than the way most of us learned in school. I definitely recommend switching curricula at Algebra.

Teaching Textbooks: (beginning in 3rd grade)  Like having the ‘good’ math teacher year after year.  Teaching Textbooks is computer based (no Internet required) although the latest version has an option to be completed online.  Each lesson is taught and followed by 5 practice problems.  Kids then work each lesson right on the computer.  Immediate feedback allows students to watch the solution to any incorrect answers – after 2 tries.  Read my complete review of Teaching Textbooks here.

Best Reading Programs for Teaching Kids With Dyslexia

There are several affordable, effective, research-based programs that can be used at home without becoming a certified dyslexia tutor.  Here are our top picks:

All About Reading: All About Reading and their spelling program All About Spelling are hands on, simultaneously multisensory introduction into the written word. Every lesson comes with an engaging phonemic awareness activity that is so fun, your kids won’t know they are learning one of the most foundational skills of reading success. Lessons are completely scripted so there is little prep time for mom. The customer service at All About Learning Press is top notch. Specifically designed for the homeschooled student that struggles with reading. This program has all of the elements of an Orton-Gillingham research-based reading program. For more information, click the image below.  Read my review of All About Reading here.

Barton Reading:  Another one-on-one reading tutoring system, completely scripted for easy parent use and Orton-Gillingham based.

Logic of English:  A comprehensive, completely scripted reading, spelling and grammar program based on the Orton-Gillingham approach. Read my review of Logic of English here.

For the Older Struggling Learner

Older struggling readers have the same problems as younger readers and need to learn and master the same skills. The good news is that all kids {and adults} can learn to read. The key is to find a program that is not ‘babyish’ and that systematically teaches at an intense enough pace to keep progress steady thus motivating the student. Reading Horizonsis all of these things. Click here for more information, my review and purchase options.

The Wilson Program: Not as user friendly as All About Reading/Spelling or Barton but an affordable, evidence-based program that really works.

 

Spelling

All About Spelling

Sequential Spelling

Handwriting

Handwriting Without Tears: (check out their iPad app!)

Italic Series

The Rhythm of Handwriting from Logic of English. Read my review of the Rhythm of Handwriting and why I teach cursive to my kids with dysgraphia.

Writing

Write Shop

Fortuigence:  Essay Rock Star

Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW)

Essentials in Writing

Grammar

The Shape Coding System:  This is a highly visual system for teaching grammar developed by Speech and Language therapist Susan Ebbels. Excellent for struggling learners.

 

History 


(both of these curricula have read alouds and hands-on resources)

Story of the World

Beautiful Feet

Science

Apologia:  Exploring Creation With Series

Science Shepherd


Science Fusion Homeschool:  From Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and includes interactive features, embedded video, clickable write-in responses, and more. A full online science curriculum, including digital lessons, virtual labs, Video-based Projects, animations, simulations, and access to science eTextbooks.

 

Foreign Language

Rosetta Stone: Our kids have done well with this highly visual, immersion method of learning foreign language.

Duolingo: A free online foreign language program.  Includes Android or IOS app as well!