Ahhhh! Hear that? It's the sound of silence. At least from 7a-330p. The minis started school last Monday. They returned to the same Catholic school we moved them to last year and so far, so good. Ryan has to work on talking in class (shocking, I know, considering who his Mama is, hee hee) but will sail through academically. Assuming he can shut his trap. But let's be totally honest, I haven't really learned to shut mine and I'm 36.
Jack. Sweet, earnest Jack. He busted his little hump this summer with hours and hours of tutoring and school work at home and at Granny Camp. He struggles with reading and all that comes with that. Of course, throw in the added complication of 3rd grade requiring cursive handwriting and it's going to be a heck of a year for him. We spent an hour on Sunday working on the upcoming week's spelling words and reading story. It's a full time job for both of us. My hope is that one day it will click and things will get easier. In the meantime, I'm employing every strategy I know of.
Which is not to say that I am a good teacher. I am a horrible teacher. HORRIBLE. My mother? Fabulous teacher. Coach? Great teacher. Me? Notsomuch.
So he's trying. I'm trying.
We're using the hell out of some flashcards, window markers, dry erase boards, index cards, magnetic letters, practice sheets and migraine meds and Skinnygirl Margarita. Ok, the last 2 are for me. We are going to be passing the soccer ball back and forth spelling p-e-r-s-u-a-d-e-d this afternoon. Puke.
But I love him. I would do anything for that little boy.
Even play sports.
August 22, 2011
The Things We Do
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13 comments:
I thought didn't teach cursive handwriting anymore..maybe that's just in Gainesville. Small town school system :)
You're doing a great job working with you son! Keep it up! :)
You are doing awesome!!! Try writing in sand. Fill a tray or something with playground sand and write away. Or spread shaving cream on a counter and write the letters in it. Just smooth them out for the next word. Have you had him evaluated for any processing disorders? The public schools should still pay for it. It might help you by showing what his processing strengths and struggles are. Then you and his teachers will know a bit more about what/how to work with him.
@The Major's Wife. Yes, Jack has a learning disability. We did his eval last spring. le sigh...
My son, who was a third grader last year, also struggles with reading. His amazing teacher told me to get him to read anything...forget the chapter books, start with picture books. He could read those, not feeling overwhelmed with text, and felt a great sense of accomplishment when he finished, and he could read several at one setting. We spent all last year working on his reading, and he went up four reading levels. We kept a log of what he read (using www.librarything.com), and he read 100 books by Christmas. He still has difficulties, but it is much better. Good luck this year.
Here's to 3rd grade and mommies having to help with schoolwork!
You can teach all the 7 letter words to him to the tune of "c-l-e-m-s-o-n" ha! :) Seriously though, good luck! I dread when my baby is old enough for school...
he is so lucky to have a mom like you! So many parents just don't put in the work, and the kids fall behind. he'll thank you one day, and in the mean time, cheers to Skinny Girl!
Great job getting him in the private school, that will benefit him more than an IEP in a public school any day. Well, that is just my opinion...as a special educator with her own kids in private school that is.... And yes, to afford the private school... we eat hot dogs and my husband and I are driving cars 16 and 10 years old respectively ha ha. Be most proud of the values, morals, ethics, strength of faith and work ethic you are teaching him. That will serve him better than a spelling bee trophy in the long run. Plus, he will always have spell check. All kidding aside, kudos to you. All Moms need a pat on the back sometimes.
You are an awesome Mom! Lucky Ryan & Jack :) Love to read your stories!
Luckily I'm still in the stage where I just have to 'keep him alive' - easy enough - but I know it'll get much much harder and I'll be referring back to these posts.
I feel your pain Clemsongirl. My son does not have a learning disability, just takes forever to complete his work. Something that would take another child 10 minutes takes him 45. It is tiring, and like you, I hope one day it all clicks...Hang in there! xo
Sounds like you are doing a great job with your son, whom I presume has reading difficulties. All those strategies you mentioned are excellent. It's also important for struggling readers to be able to read on their independent level (reading with 98-100% accuracy). If you can find that level, let him reread those books until he is fluent and confident and move on.
I think it's wonderful that you are doing so much work with him! Being a former teacher I know that having a parent be so involved is the key! Have you heard of Orton and Gillingham? It's program that might really work for him. I have a friend who uses it when she does private tutoring (she lives in Atlanta area) If you are interested email me and I can send you her info.
Also, I wanted to let you know that I saw your pic on the Swoozies email for the Clemson frame!! :)
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