My own son, who is eight years old, was recently diagnosed with auditory processing disorder. He is a bright, yet very reluctant, beginning reader. Despite his struggles with reading, he has been enthralled with BookShark literature selections, such as Winter Danger, Om-Kas-Toe, and Meet George Washington from Level D Reading with History. Every night, when I read aloud with him, he begs me to keep reading. Better yet, the books are motivating him to learn to read. As he follows along while I read aloud, he is now picking out words he recognizes.

The engaging literature selections have also stirred my son’s natural curiosity and served as springboards for further exploration, such as learning about various Native American tribes, hunting and survival skills, and geography. Recently, while hiking in the woods in Blackwater Falls State Park in West Virginia, my son made a text-to-world connection. He said hiking in the rugged, wooded area made him feel like Cage, the main character in the book Winter Danger.  We have spent many moments discussing how the characters did not give up in the face of extreme challenges; they kept trying until they succeeded. Even though reading is hard work for him, my son is encouraged to persevere because he wants to be able to read his BookShark books on his own.

As an educational consultant with the Home School Legal Defense Association, I serve homeschooling families impacted by special needs and disabilities. I am perpetually on the lookout for solid curricula that is not only engaging but also effective for students ranging from gifted or twice-exceptional learners to children with developmental delays, autism, and dyslexia.  

One of the most frequently asked questions from homeschooling parents is “What is the best curriculum for a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit, dyslexia, or dysgraphia?”  

I always tell parents that there is no single best curriculum, but rather the best curriculum is the one that will engage your child.

If a program does these for your child, it’s a winner:

• sparks a love of learning
• is easily adaptable
• is at or just slightly above your child’s functioning level

In our experience, BookShark curriculum definitely ticks all these boxes!

Decades of research in the field of reading has shown that students learn best when provided with explicit, direct instruction and when instruction is within their zone of proximal development (idea developed by Vygotsky). Additionally, we know that gains in language and vocabulary are made when learning is social/interactive, allowing students to take part in rich conversations around authentic text.

Struggling readers make strides in reading when given extended periods of time to read (or be read to) and when fluent and phrased reading is modeled. Students who struggle with reading, such as those with dyslexia, particularly benefit from multi-sensory learning that taps into auditory, visual, tactile, and kinesthetic methods which increase retention.  

BookShark hits the mark with its literature-based approach, doing all of these :

• Selects rich literature and living books to be read and discussed
• Allows the student to participate within his optimal learning zone
• Uses visuals, such as colorful maps, charts, and graphic organizers
• Provides hands-on, multi-sensory learning experiences
• Integrates meaningful and connected learning across subjects and topics
• Allows students to process what they are learning via their preferred methods

For Students With Attention and Memory Issues

 
Many students (mine included), particularly those with attentional issues like ADD/ADHD, find that frequent breaks and movement help with attention, learning, and memory. Research in the fields of education and neuroscience has shown that incorporating songs, chants, movement, and rhythm increases attention and retention.

Because both of my children are wiggly learners and enjoy auditory learning, I was pleasantly surprised that BookShark incorporates Lyrical Life Science music CDs into Science Levels D and F. Lyrical Learning uses songs to teach science content. Not only is integrating music into teaching a research-based method, it’s a downright fun way to ingrain concepts into a student’s memory!

For Students with Dysgraphia

BookShark curriculum incorporates the Handwriting Without Tears program. This solid program is often used by occupational therapists, and is one that I frequently recommend for children who are struggling with fine motor/visual-motor integration.

For Students with Spelling Struggles and Auditory Processing/Auditory Discrimination Difficulties

BookShark curriculum incorporates the Spelling You See program which was developed by Dr. Karen Holinga. It is multi-sensory in its approach in that the program is auditory, visual, and tactile. The first level of the Spelling You See program is spent on developing phonological processing skills, specifically the skill of sound sequencing. The child is explicitly and systematically taught to isolate and hear sounds through the use of Elkonin (sound/letter) Boxes.

Often homeschooling parents are unsure of how to assess or grade their child’s performance or progress, particularly if the child is not on grade level. I like that BookShark has built-in checklists for parents to monitor progress. For instance, there are Practical Life Skills Check Off Lists and Gross Motor Development Check Off Lists which can be copied and kept in your homeschool file. If assessment is required in your state for yearly progress monitoring, these checklists can be used as part of your child’s report card or portfolio.

I am pleased that BookShark Language Arts incorporates rubrics (which are basically rating scales) for assessing writing. Rubrics provide an alternative assessment that is performance-based but different than a typical test or quiz. Rubrics can be particularly helpful for struggling students, such as those with anxiety or slow processing speed who often do not perform well on tests or within timed situations.  For students who may not generalize information and skills well or who are very literal, such as those on the autism spectrum, checklists and rubrics offer a detailed framework of expectations up front.

BookShark Curriculum is Easily Adaptable For Various Special Needs