Barton Questions

[happygrrl]

Hi All-

I have spent all day on these boards and the Barton website. My brain is a bit boggled, but at the moment I can say that it looks like this would really (reallyreally) benefit my youngest. (I am so thankful I clicked on K.A.A.'s thread that led me to dyslexia, and everything fell into place).

My questions:
1) Is there anyone for whom this is *not* appropriate? There is no local testing available (that I can find), and I am thinking I'd rather put the $ and time I'd take finding a dx into Barton, if it is *general* enough (hope that makes sense).

2) Is this really open and go? I like the flow of the demo (I learned some things myself!) so would I like the scripted lessons? I am confident in my abilities to learn new material and teach, it is just that I am dealing with some intensive learning issues with my oldest (aspie) and I am concerned about time management.

In fact... I am reeling at the thought of this new (to me) issue... and also wondering if I would have been more aggressive with this had I not been so focused on the older (guilty feelings). OK- enough of that! I just need to get on the horse and ride. Any thoughts are appreciated :) TIA!

[MariannNOVA]

Hi All-

I have spent all day on these boards and the Barton website. My brain is a bit boggled, but at the moment I can say that it looks like this would really (reallyreally) benefit my youngest. (I am so thankful I clicked on K.A.A.'s thread that led me to dyslexia, and everything fell into place).

My questions:
1) Is there anyone for whom this is *not* appropriate? There is no local testing available (that I can find), and I am thinking I'd rather put the $ and time I'd take finding a dx into Barton, if it is *general* enough (hope that makes sense). I've tutored kids using Barton - kids whose parents 'suspected' dyslexia b/c of reading/school issues but who didn't have a formal dx. All of them did fine - most of them were first, second, third graders. Actually, better than fine -- the parents and I were very satisfied with their progress. I would say that it is 'general' enough - I do understand what you mean.

2) Is this really open and go? Absolutely. I like the flow of the demo (I learned some things myself!) so would I like the scripted lessons? YES. I liked the scripted lessons -- the scripting reassured me that I was covering what needed to be covered. I am confident in my abilities to learn new material and teach, it is just that I am dealing with some intensive learning issues with my oldest (aspie) and I am concerned about time management. It is an incredibly teacher/student friendly method.

In fact... I am reeling at the thought of this new (to me) issue... and also wondering if I would have been more aggressive with this had I not been so focused on the older (guilty feelings). OK- enough of that! I just need to get on the horse and ride. Any thoughts are appreciated :) TIA!


I think that every family I've tutored has said the same thing. Don't beat yourself up. In fact, one little boy had been in my class for four year old pre-school and again in first grade, and it wasn't till after first grade when the parents and I were trying to decide what to do next regarding the reading issues, that I discovered Barton. Definitely, get on the horse and ride - it's an excellent system.

Now, that being said, if there are 'other' issues that are co-morbid with dyslexia, those issues also must be addressed. One of the families that I tutored, refused to acknowledge anything other than dyslexia - and I know there are other things going on. Barton worked very well for that child, but he ended up being held back from 3rd grade to 4th grade - the mom doesn't speak to me anymore (I tutored him in between 1st and 2nd grade and then the school he attended took over tutoring him with Barton) - but what I find interesting is that his reading has improved and he is still doing Barton through his private school, BUT he was still held back which tells me that there are academic issues besides reading. Does that make sense?

There is a Yahoo Barton group - you might want to join and lurk. Let me know if you have any other questions.:)

[happygrrl]

Definitely, get on the horse and ride - it's an excellent system.





Mariann- Thank you thank you! Little one is such a monkey; he loves school and in so bright that he flew under my radar. Doesn't help that oldest has aspie issues and dd is very bright/ perhaps gifted- and both are squeaky wheels! I have been folding Nature Boy into all our subjects and his comprehension is excellent. I just rearranged our schedule to include more one on one time and this is when the issues became apparent.

I am going to look more into the co-morbidity issues ( i am done with being sidelined by this stuff! ha!), and have joined the reading Yahoo group (heart something-or-other.. yes, my brain is fried today!) is that the one you mean?

Agian- thank you for your encouragement, and I am sure I will have more questions :).

[MariannNOVA]

Mariann- Thank you thank you! Little one is such a monkey; he loves school and in so bright that he flew under my radar. Doesn't help that oldest has aspie issues and dd is very bright/ perhaps gifted- and both are squeaky wheels! I have been folding Nature Boy into all our subjects and his comprehension is excellent. I just rearranged our schedule to include more one on one time and this is when the issues became apparent.

I am going to look more into the co-morbidity issues ( i am done with being sidelined by this stuff! ha!), and have joined the reading Yahoo group (heart something-or-other.. yes, my brain is fried today!) is that the one you mean?

Agian- thank you for your encouragement, and I am sure I will have more questions :).

I'm glad you are encouraged and I'm happy to answer any questions. I don't remember the name of the yahoo group - I thought it was a Barton Yahoo group but it was three years ago and I could very definitely be mistaken. It also could have been a dyslexia Yahoo group; just lurk, you'll know soon enough if it's the correct group or not.

[happygrrl]

I'm glad you are encouraged and I'm happy to answer any questions. I don't remember the name of the yahoo group - I thought it was a Barton Yahoo group but it was three years ago and I could very definitely be mistaken. It also could have been a dyslexia Yahoo group; just lurk, you'll know soon enough if it's the correct group or not.


Again- Thank you! :):):)

[siloam]

Mariann- Thank you thank you! Little one is such a monkey; he loves school and in so bright that he flew under my radar. Doesn't help that oldest has aspie issues and dd is very bright/ perhaps gifted- and both are squeaky wheels! I have been folding Nature Boy into all our subjects and his comprehension is excellent. I just rearranged our schedule to include more one on one time and this is when the issues became apparent.

I am going to look more into the co-morbidity issues ( i am done with being sidelined by this stuff! ha!), and have joined the reading Yahoo group (heart something-or-other.. yes, my brain is fried today!) is that the one you mean?

Agian- thank you for your encouragement, and I am sure I will have more questions :).

There is the Heart of Reading group and a Barton Tutors group, but Betsy is moderator on the first and owner of the second, so either will probably get you the same result. :D

Heather

[happygrrl]

There is the Heart of Reading group and a Barton Tutors group, but Betsy is moderator on the first and owner of the second, so either will probably get you the same result. :D

Heather



Thanks, Heather! Your posts on this issue have helped me tremendously (I have been spending a *lot* of time with the search function lately :)).

[merry gardens]

My questions:
1) Is there anyone for whom this is *not* appropriate? There is no local testing available (that I can find), and I am thinking I'd rather put the $ and time I'd take finding a dx into Barton, if it is *general* enough (hope that makes sense).

2) Is this really open and go? I like the flow of the demo (I learned some things myself!) so would I like the scripted lessons? I am confident in my abilities to learn new material and teach, it is just that I am dealing with some intensive learning issues with my oldest (aspie) and I am concerned about time management.
I see your son is 9. Mine son will be nine this summer. I opted not to have him tested but we work with Barton's and some Lindamood products too. I teach him as though he had a diagnosis of dyslexia. Yes, I also noticed that the cost of testing for dyslexia can pay for a level or two of Bartons, (maybe more.)

1)To answer your question, if an older child truly has no reading or spelling problems whatsoever, Barton's might be a bit of overkill. (If that were the case, you probably wouldn't be looking into the program.) On the other hand, Barton says their program is for people with IQ's above 70 and over age 5. Barton's is very systematic, taking things step-by-step with the notion that people who struggle with reading have some gaps in their knowledge, often in unexpected places. I will warn you that the first Barton's level looks very small for the cost of the program. If your son has good phonemic awareness, you might sail through that level quickly. If that's the case, I think they allow you to trade it up for the next level.

2) Open, watch the DVD, practice a little, and then go. Relatively easy. Time management wise, Barton's recommends not working on the program more than a half-hour to an hour per day for the child.

I love the scripted lessons and the training! It gives me confidence and I have learned new teaching techniques that work for subjects beyond reading. For instance, the Barton's method teaches the child to self correct, with the tutor helping guide the child. I use this technique now in other subjects, inviting and guiding my children to take a closer look at their math answers, etc. before I tell them if something is right or wrong. You wrote you have other children with some other learning issues, so I wanted to mention that added bonus of my Barton's training.

[happygrrl]

I see your son is 9. Mine son will be nine this summer. I opted not to have him tested but we work with Barton's and some Lindamood products too. I teach him as though he had a diagnosis of dyslexia. Yes, I also noticed that the cost of testing for dyslexia can pay for a level or two of Bartons, (maybe more.)

1)To answer your question, if an older child truly has no reading or spelling problems whatsoever, Barton's might be a bit of overkill. (If that were the case, you probably wouldn't be looking into the program.) On the other hand, Barton says their program is for people with IQ's above 70 and over age 5. Barton's is very systematic, taking things step-by-step with the notion that people who struggle with reading have some gaps in their knowledge, often in unexpected places. I will warn you that the first Barton's level looks very small for the cost of the program. If your son has good phonemic awareness, you might sail through that level quickly. If that's the case, I think they allow you to trade it up for the next level.

2) Open, watch the DVD, practice a little, and then go. Relatively easy. Time management wise, Barton's recommends not working on the program more than a half-hour to an hour per day for the child.

I love the scripted lessons and the training! It gives me confidence and I have learned new teaching techniques that work for subjects beyond reading. For instance, the Barton's method teaches the child to self correct, with the tutor helping guide the child. I use this technique now in other subjects, inviting and guiding my children to take a closer look at their math answers, etc. before I tell them if something is right or wrong. You wrote you have other children with some other learning issues, so I wanted to mention that added bonus of my Barton's training.

Thank you so much for this! I have bombed my brain with so much info about all of this that I find your encouragement and clarifications very helpful.