/

4 Ways To Supplement An Online Reading Program

A typical day in our homeschool almost always involves a lesson or two online.

Why?

My youngest son struggles with reading. He is profoundly dyslexic, and his learning differences affect every aspect of learning to read proficiently.

In order to best help him, we work consistently and in a systematic way. He practices every single day, in one way or another. One of the easiest and most effective ways for him to learn is online.

It complements his learning style. It adds in a variety of learning modalities – increased visual, auditory and tactile input helps the learning really “stick.” It has been a wonderful way to engage him in practicing a subject that is extremely difficult for him.

Online learning has been a game changer for us

4 Ways To Supplement An Online Reading Program

As our school year has progressed, I have been looking for ways to supplement what he is learning online. I want him to take the progress he’s making in the lessons and apply them in ways that don’t always involve a screen.

He loves being able to show what he is learning. He likes the praise from me, but more importantly, he loves feeling like he is finally making some progress. With this in mind, I wanted to find ways to supplement what he is learning online and give him an opportunity to show how much he has learned.

 

I received a copy of the brand new Reading Eggs workbooks and was compensated for my time in writing this post. Please know, I only share products that I have found to be beneficial for my family, in the hopes they might work for yours as well. 

Our Online Reading Program

A few weeks ago I shared why we are using Reading Eggs as our online reading program.

Reading Eggs is the multi-award winning online reading program for children aged 2–13.

With hundreds of reading lessons, thousands of interactive activities and over 2500 e-books, the program provides a safe online learning environment where children build essential early literacy skills while having fun.

Reading Eggs is designed to progress at the child’s pace, with an understanding that every child learns differently. This has certainly been our experience and the reason why we have returned to this online reading program.

It’s working well, but again, I find myself looking for ways for him to take the progress he’s making in the online lessons and apply them in ways that don’t always involve a screen.

The following are four ways I am currently supplementing his online learning.

4 Ways To Supplement An Online Reading Program

1. Teach Back

After my son completes an online lesson, I ask him to show me what he learned, away from the computer. Sometimes he simply tells me all about it (complete with how many eggs he earned and all the games he played). Other times, he will grab our large sketch pad and show me. Either way, it helps him retain what he has learned.

2. Screen Free Fridays

Because we devote Fridays to hands-on learning, my son does not complete any online programs. A screen-free day works well for my son. It allows him to actually use what he has learned throughout the week in ways that are more natural and a part of daily life. Plus, sometimes the break makes him that much more excited to get to his “reading game” on Monday.

3. Hands-On Projects

Our Friday FunDays are all about special projects, so I try to find hands-on projects and activities that will incorporate what he has learned online. Sometimes, it’s as simple as practicing the words he learned using chalk markers on the windows. On other occasions, it’s reading aloud and looking for examples of the “reading rules” he learned throughout the week.

4. Workbooks That Work

This is a brand new option that has been a great way to supplement what my son is learning. Reading Eggs now has workbooks available that correspond to what he is already learning online.  Easy to follow and accommodate for learning differences, a single workbooks represents an entire year’s worth of supplemental learning. 4 Ways To Supplement An Online Reading Program

My son usually resists workbooks of any kind, especially language arts and reading related ones. This has been a welcome exception. He likes that they are not “babyish” and have information that is relevant to his interests.

More than anything else, I think he likes that he can do one page a day in about 10 minutes or less.

4 Ways To Supplement An Online Reading Program

 

If you are interested in trying either the Reading Eggs and/or Math Express online program, or would like to take a look at the workbooks themselves, I have two helpful offers for Not The Former Things’ readers:

4 Week FREE Trial Offer To Reading Eggs

This 4 week FREE trial offers access to everything in the Reading Eggs Suite (Reading Eggs Junior, Reading Eggs, Reading Eggspress and Mathseeds). This generous trial covers all of the following age levels and subjects:

Reading Eggs Junior: 2 – 4 years

Reading Eggs: 4 – 7 years

Reading Eggspress: 7 – 13 years

Mathseeds: 3 – 9 years

4 Ways To Supplement An Online Reading Program

Reading Eggs And Mathseeds Essential Skills workbooks:

You will also receive 10% off Reading Eggs and Mathseeds Essential Skills Workbooks using this code (only for Not The Former Things’ readers): WK10VJKEK79

Similar Posts