Where is my son's memory?

Question

I have been homeschooling my 9 yr old son since October of 2007. I can't figure out why he can't remember things he has been taught. As in spelling. He will spell a word and do that just fine and then you ask him how to spell that again on another day and he doesn't remember.

One of the reasons I took him out of public school is that he was falling farther and farther behind. He does have an IEP. We have been told that our son is very visual and extremely bright and has the capability to figure things out that most 3rd graders in his class would not be able to. He just doesn't grasp concepts well.

I'm so frustrated with the homeschooling because it seems everything we study and learn goes out the window the next day. Anyone have any ideas or suggestions? Thanks

Answer 1

I would suggest that you discuss this with your pediatrician. See if you can get them to do some psychological tests on your son. The tests are not invasive medical type tests. They play games with the children and record the child's responses to things. You would probably have to fill out a somewhat lengthy questionnaire. This might identify any neurological problems he's having that are keeping him from processing information like other children do. If there is something there, the earlier you can identify it, the better it will be for your son.

Answer 2

It is possible that he has something that is pervasive - what was the category that he had the IEP in? Pervasive meaning that there are many facets of learning that are impacted - In those situations the student needs some direct instruction in a mode that fits their learning style and then practice applying it accross settings.  If you are homeschooling there are minimal services that you child can get typically - mostly consultive or of short duration - he likely needs more intensive intervention.

I believe you need to do a full medical work up with a neurologist to see what else may be happening that may have a physical cause.

I applaud your concern and interest in homeschooling but I don't believe in the long run you will be doing your child any favors.  The world when he is an adult will not exist in isolation.

If you are going to continue - stop talking and start showing.  using written word, teach words in context of something interesting, use pictures - it is likely that your son is not processing verbally only visually so you need to present materials visually as well.

It is likely that it's not grasping concepts but applying new knowledge to existing information.

Answer 3

Your son needs to be in a classroom where the teacher is able to teach him based on his needs.  Someone who is qualified to work with someone who has any form of a special need is a must.

Answer 4

Maybe you should get a teaching certificate before you take over your son's education./ The special ed teachers at his school could help him with issues you are describing.

Answer 5

I had the same exact problem when i was younger, get him back in public school, and enroll him in special needs programs like title one. He will be just fine.

Answer 6

teach him sign language - especially the manual alphabet - my son (who hears just fine) learned it using public tv show for kids (Signing time) - once he knew the alphabet in sign language, we used it for learning spelling words. Something really good happens when the kids can see the letters on paper, feel them in their hands (the asl alphabet) and hear them out loud - it hits all the primarly learning modes at one time - tell him he's learning a "secret" language and have fun with it - it makes a huge difference. Now whenever he has trouble remembering how to spell something, he does it many times in sign language and for whatever reason the word "sticks" in his brain and he can do it.