Homeschooling with Special Needs, Choices, Turn-Taking, Writing, and eBay

Do you homeschool a child with special needs? (Yes, I know, all kids have special needs--that's the beauty of homeschooling--everyone can have an individualized education!) I'd like to share one way that helps me find a balance with teaching our littlest homeschooler, age 6. She is a "late talker" with medical and visual challenges. It may not work well for all families, but it is working well for us.

We use turn-taking with first grade workbooks. Susie picks from several workbooks. I read the directions, and then we take turns doing whatever the directions say. We also pick whatever color we want for the pens or pencils we use. Offering choices and taking turns with school sounds like it would take longer than a more directive approach, but trust me, it doesn't. It takes far less time, and is much more fun. Also, I find that my child imitates me more, and her speech continues to improve. For more information, see Dr. MacDonald Communicating Partners Website:http://www.jamesdmacdonald.org/

My oldest daughter has been working hard, helping me set up our eBay business. She is getting valuable real world business, writing and editing experience, and I sure appreciate her help. I couldn't have gotten it all done without her. We finally got our listings up this weekend, and now the truth is out--yes, we are closet Star Trek fans! You'll also find homeschool, educational, travel, and collectible items. Check out all my new stuff on eBay-- http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQfgtpZ1QQfrppZ25QQsassZwisestew . All sales help support our educational blog, website and homeschool.

Okay, fellow writers, here's a useful freebie: Find fantastic information about writing and the law at Susan Spann's great blog, http://www.HomeschoolBlogger.com/SusanSpann.