Most homeschool parents have experienced seeing their children hit a wall during a lesson or learning activity. These four words can be accompanied by so many emotions: frustration, fear, anxiety, anger, sadness. It’s so difficult to watch your child struggle, and when you know that he or she has a learning challenge like dyslexia or dysgraphia, it can be absolutely heartbreaking.
Having dyslexia, dysgraphia, or another learning challenge can chip away at children’s self esteem.
They work so hard, day after day, but the progress they make doesn’t seem to match their effort. The rigor and pacing of a traditional school model can leave learning challenged children feeling crushed, overwhelmed, and hopeless. Learning to write is especially difficult and can lead to tears and even tantrums in otherwise mild-mannered kids. It’s no wonder that more and more parents are taking matters into their own hands and choosing to educate their children at home. Many parents are seeking a curriculum they can use at home to help their child succeed.
We at Essentials in Writing want to help!
Whether you purchase our curriculum, create your own, or buy from one of our competitors, we want you to know what approach works best for dyslexic and other learning challenged students. Matthew Stephens, our founder and lead teacher, recently sat down with educator and dyslexia specialist Nelda Reyes to talk more about how to best teach struggling students to write.
“It’s like making a cake – you need a step by step approach,” said Ms. Reyes.
Some people are gifted bakers, but most of us need a recipe to make something edible. It’s the same with writing. It makes perfect sense that students need more than just paper, pen, and a topic to be successful. The EIW writing curriculum gives students the “recipe” for success by laying out the writing process in a series of bite-sized steps that can be done over several days. This way the student can bite off one manageable piece at a time and avoid becoming overwhelmed.
Why does Essentials in Writing work so well for dyslexic students?
- EIW uses a step by step approach so that students know exactly what to do at each stage of the writing process.
- Mr. Stephens models every step in a video lesson so that students know exactly what to do.
- The student applies the skill immediately following the lesson before he or she has time to forget what has been learned.
- The student works at one piece at a time to avoid becoming overwhelmed, but over several days, each of the pieces add up to a successful composition.
- EIW includes graphic organizers that help the student to create and execute a writing plan.
- The repetition of the process reinforces the steps until the student eventually internalizes them.
How does Essentials in Writing support parents and teachers?
At Essentials in Writing, we know that it’s not just the students who need a little extra support. We’re here for parents and teachers, too! We want to empower you to be the best homeschool teacher you can be. When you choose EIW, you are getting a lot more than just the curriculum. We want to partner with you to provide the best homeschool writing experience for you and your learners. When you pick up the phone to call us, we will drop everything to help you.
It’s no secret that our customer service team delivers top-notch parent and teacher support.
Every week we get messages from homeschool parents raving about the excellent care Randa and Karissa provide. They are experts at helping you find the right level for your child. Patient and knowledgeable, our team takes great pleasure in answering any questions you may have about our curriculum. Not only do we have a fantastic customer service team, but we are also in the process of building a team of veteran classroom teachers to support you in your endeavors.
Starting in June, our team of educators will be available to answer your questions at no extra charge.
- Questions about the answer key?
- Worried that your child isn’t progressing quickly enough?
- Wondering how much help to give your struggling writer so that you support them without stifling their growth?
- Need some fresh ideas to keep your students engaged in their learning?
- Seeking tips about how to design activities that appeal to your child’s unique learning style?
Many questions arise during the school year, and we’ll be here to help you at every step of the way. We know that homeschool teachers do their best work when they feel supported. At EIW, we’ve got your back!
Exciting opportunities are on the horizon!
Coming this summer, our new Education Department will also be sharing ideas and finding ways to connect through webinars and social media. If you’re not already a member of the EIW Facebook group, be sure to join now! You don’t want to miss out!
We care deeply about our homeschool families and take great pride in going above and beyond in delivering the support you need to be successful in giving your child a first-rate education. Whether your child has learning challenges or you’re just looking for fresh ideas to try in your home classroom, we at EIW are here for you!
Try our Level Wizard, or make a call to our excellent customer service team today! Nothing would please us more than to partner with your family on this most important journey.
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