I have bilingual children and one long-term educational goal for them is to be able to function in both English-speaking and German-speaking worlds. My son attends a German public school and my daughter is in a private parent-run kindergarten (meaning that we parents do the admin stuff and handiwork, but not the actual teaching). While I do not homeschool, I put a lot of effort into "after-schooling", because of the bilingual aspect.
When my son was still very young, I was advised by several people including a linguist (who also happened to be the parent of trilingual children) to teach my children to read the most difficult language first. While German grammar is definitely more difficult than English grammar, German is a phonetic language and quite easy to read. English, on the other hand, is not phonetic and filled with exceptions to rules.
I successfully taught my son to read using a textbook called Teach your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons. It was a great tool for my son and he enjoyed the progression of the book. At age seven, he is now reading beyond his grade level in English, even though the rest of his education is entirely in German.
Then, after my daughter started showing all the indications that she was ready to learn to read, I began attempting to teach her with the same book. As any mother of more than one child will tell you, each one is different.: ) It didn't take long to figure out that the book was not going to work with her! It was absolute torture for her and she needed something much more tactile to motivate her.
Fortunately for her (and me!), the year before I had begun to take an interest in the Montessori method through my experience with Godly Play. Taking Karen Tyler's on-line Montessori Training has put some practicals tools in my hand to give her a much more holistic way of learning. (It has also helped me in teaching English at our local elementary school.)
Below is a photo of one of our recent lessons where she is learning to match sounds with letters. She is in the Pink Series, the first level of Montessori reading. Here she is matching the beginning sound in the picture cards (free downloads from Montessori for Everyone and Montessori Materials ) with letter cards. Then, she draws the letter itself in a tray filled with a thin layer of cornmeal. (I have yet to find a child that can resist playing with cornmeal!)
One thing that I have learned from Karen is how to "improvise" with materials so that I am not spending exorbitant amounts on pricy materials. Sandpaper letters are a basic in Montessori reading and writing, but I chose to spend the money on other things and make textured letter cards myself. The letter cards that you see in the picture are textured letter stickers made from corrugated cardboard that I have attached to index cards. I spent the money saved on sandpaper cursive letters which I hope will serve her well in the future.
When my son was still very young, I was advised by several people including a linguist (who also happened to be the parent of trilingual children) to teach my children to read the most difficult language first. While German grammar is definitely more difficult than English grammar, German is a phonetic language and quite easy to read. English, on the other hand, is not phonetic and filled with exceptions to rules.
I successfully taught my son to read using a textbook called Teach your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons. It was a great tool for my son and he enjoyed the progression of the book. At age seven, he is now reading beyond his grade level in English, even though the rest of his education is entirely in German.
Then, after my daughter started showing all the indications that she was ready to learn to read, I began attempting to teach her with the same book. As any mother of more than one child will tell you, each one is different.: ) It didn't take long to figure out that the book was not going to work with her! It was absolute torture for her and she needed something much more tactile to motivate her.
Fortunately for her (and me!), the year before I had begun to take an interest in the Montessori method through my experience with Godly Play. Taking Karen Tyler's on-line Montessori Training has put some practicals tools in my hand to give her a much more holistic way of learning. (It has also helped me in teaching English at our local elementary school.)
Below is a photo of one of our recent lessons where she is learning to match sounds with letters. She is in the Pink Series, the first level of Montessori reading. Here she is matching the beginning sound in the picture cards (free downloads from Montessori for Everyone and Montessori Materials ) with letter cards. Then, she draws the letter itself in a tray filled with a thin layer of cornmeal. (I have yet to find a child that can resist playing with cornmeal!)
In the Montessori method, subjects and skills overlap so that the child can learn several things in one activity. Here she is working on phonetics, writing and sorting/classifying (a math skill) all in one lesson.
One thing that I have learned from Karen is how to "improvise" with materials so that I am not spending exorbitant amounts on pricy materials. Sandpaper letters are a basic in Montessori reading and writing, but I chose to spend the money on other things and make textured letter cards myself. The letter cards that you see in the picture are textured letter stickers made from corrugated cardboard that I have attached to index cards. I spent the money saved on sandpaper cursive letters which I hope will serve her well in the future.
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| This is my daughter's "surprise box". She picks a letter and I fill the box with objects that begin with that letter. Here you can also see my alternative to the sandpaper letters a little better. |
So far, we are doing well and and enjoying learning. I'll let you know how things progress!
Linked to Montessori Monday at One Hook Wonder.
Linked to Montessori Monday at One Hook Wonder.
