Reading & Writing With Phonics

August 30, 2022

As a homeschooling parent, are your worries focused on your children learning to read? Are you unsure where to start? What to do? Or how can to make it fun and engaging, instead of difficult drudgery?

I get a lot of questions from homeschooling and unschooling parents about learning to read. Every one wants the magic bullet.

But I want to tell you- every child and family is different. However, instead of being fearful, look at the advantage that home education offers. You have the time and opportunity to support your unique child and learning style. You are not bound by school bells, curriculum deadlines or 45 other children and staff members. So that’s why, through this podcast, I offer different ideas, perspectives and research. I want to offer you a chance to hear and learn about your options and the tools out there. You can then choose, try, keep, let go of or adapt different tools and ideas to your child’s needs.

This episode continues with our discussion on literacy and focuses on reading tools: Phonics. Specifically, I chat with Carina Powers, the CEO of Phonics in Motion. We talk about using phonics in the reading process and the importance of multi-sensory support when learning to read.

Phonics in Motion- Seeing it, Hearing it, Feeling it, Moving it

Phonics in Motion was created by Dr. Terry Kindervater, an educator and literacy expert. Dr Kindervater knows her program well, because she has used it for herself. Years ago, Terry suffered a significant stroke that left her unable to read and speak. In fact, she lost the entire language centre of her brain.

It took Dr. Kindervater one year to go from being non-verbal to communicating again. The progress was slow and frustrating. It became clear that the clinical remediation plan was not resulting in the gains she needed. The remediation she was receiving from expert clinical professionals felt so similar to what she had seen had failed struggling learners time and time again throughout her teaching career. That was why she had created Phonics in Motion in the first place; and now it was her turn to walk the path of learning to read and write as a struggler. She now knows just how hard it is to learn to read and write as a learner with processing challenges.

In this episode Carina and I talk about learning to read using phonics and what that means.

We explore the importance of incorporating strategies that are fun and connecting.
The negative connotation that phonics carries and the real, applicable meaning
Why their program works so well for homeschoolers, hearing impaired learners, English language learners, as well as fluent, verbal speakers.
Why a learner must “see it, hear it, feel it and move with it.” (The multi-sensory approach)
The difference between teaching learning to read at home vs in school. (The time, expectations and strict lines that school requires)
Why parents know their child best

Resources

Phonics in Motion is offering 15% off of their homeschool membership for Honey! I’m Homeschooling The Kids listeners with the code teachwithmotion15. Go to~ https://phonicsinmotion.com/product/complete-homeschool-literacy-program/

If you would like to learn more about Phonics In Motion check out their website https://phonicsinmotion.com/pim-for-homeschool/

Social Media

Twitter-https://twitter.com/PhonicsInMotion

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/phonicsinmotion/

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/phonicsinmotion/

Or contact Carina directly- carina@phonicsinmotion.com

If you would like to hear more check out these episodes with former teachers turned Homeschoolers-

Former school principal turned Unschooler Golda David https://imhomeschooling.com/education-demystified-lessons-from-a-principal-teacher-homeschooler/

Leah McDermott-https://imhomeschooling.com/natural-learning-leah-mcdermott/

Looking for more support in your homeschool and unschooling journey? I’ve got you! Check out my Patreon Community where I offer monthly Live Q&A on all your homeschool, unschool and self directed learning questions. For the summer of 2022- this live support is open to ALL Patron levels. You also have access to my downloads, special videos, insights and interviews with my family! https://www.patreon.com/honeyimhomeschoolingthekids

Honey! I’m Homeschooling Club on Clubhouse App offer free weekly discussion groups and support.

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Sponsor Shout Outs

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Night Zookeeper

Is your child a reluctant writer? Do they struggle with reading? If your answer to either of these questions is YES, then Night Zookeeper may be just what you’ve been looking for.

Night Zookeeper is an online learning program for children aged 6 to 12 years old and uses a gamified approach to help to keep kids engaged and focused on developing awesome reading and writing skills, all while having fun at the same time!

Some of the features we love include the educational games, the fun challenges, the personalized feedback and the super safe community pages, where children can work with each other and learn together.

You can try it for free by clicking on the link in the bio! When you register, you’ll get a 7-day, risk-free trial, as well as a huge 50% off your annual subscription, that’s a great deal if you ask me!

If you are in the US, Australia, Canada or the UK, look for the special links below for your country:

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