Tag: Education

Heading back to Kindergarten

Today is going to be an interesting day.  At back to school night for Madison, we were presented with a form asking if we would be available to help with several different things.  I am not the “room mom” type.  Megan was also very independent and did not want Mom hanging around school.

Now with Madison in Kindergarten, I have nothing special going on until she gets home for lunch.  With all of the surgeries that were still ongoing when school started, I could not commit to anything but said that if they needed help with things throughout the year I may be able to step in.  So I received my first request last week for today…assisting the process of “kid writing journals”.  If you do not have children, this is the beginning of the kids learning to write independently even though they can not spell.  They are charged with attempting to write as they hear it basically.  Some are really something but everyone starts somewhere.  Today I will meet with the writing specialist to make sure I know what I am doing and will assist one hour a week every other week I believe until the end of the year.  Wish me luck :-).

Then I received a phone call a few days ago from another mom.  Seems she is one of the actual room mother’s who was not expecting all of the different responsibilities.  She asked if I could fill in for her at the Holiday party Thursday.  As long as I do not have to bake anything I am in!  Madison is SOOO excited because I have to be there first thing so I will be taking her to school with me and bringing her home.

I remember my Kindergarten days, they were not happy.  Neat that I get to replace those memories with some good ones with my own baby.  And to do it this week, well I think it helps the entire family feel just a little more safe.

Shadows

Megan brought her report card home the other day and we could not be more proud.  Straight A’s, principals list.  This was the first real report card with A,B,C grades instead of developing etc.  Last night she took her report card to Karate class.  The Sensei’s like to make the connection for the kids of disciple on the mind, body soul.  They made a big production for the kids who had good reports and awarded them “awesome grade” strips for their belts.  For the kids who made honor roll they went a step further and gave honor roll medals.21716_306981012739989_1840641645_n

Now Megan and Madison are in the same Karate class and only a few months work separate their belt ranks.  Frank had taken them to karate last night and he thought everything was fine.  By the time they all walked into the house Megan came running through the door to tell me about her medal, she was so excited.  As she proudly stood showing it off, I looked over her shoulder and watched Madison melt into bawling tears. Although her young 6-year-old self was not able to express what was really bothering her, I knew.

I grew up the baby of the family, with the smart older sister who was outgoing and the older brother who everyone loved.  Then there was me, the introvert who struggled early on in school.  Many times I felt like Madison but did not show it because no one really cared.  But seeing my baby just collapse under the weight of her sisters success was almost too much for me.  I grabbed her and pulled her onto my lap and just hugged her until she calmed down.When she was finally calm enough to talk, I told her about my family and how she was just getting started and would make amazing things happen herself.  Our school district does not even do a report card for the first marking period in Kindergarten.  Then until 3rd grade we do the beginning, developing, secure and mastered.  We can discuss my thoughts on this at a later time :-).

It was not long before she remembered how much she loved her sister and they were off playing.  Today Frank worked from home in the morning and did not have appointments until late.  Just a few minutes before her bus was to drop Madi off, Frank had the great idea for the three of us to go out to lunch, something we had never done before.  She came storming off the bus like normal and I told her the plan…my baby beamed!

Sometimes the little things like grilled cheese at the diner can make anyone feel special!

Reading is fundamental

School, it was the bain of my existence as a child.  Having children made me have to come face to face with my scholastic under achievement.

From the day the girls were born I have been vigilant about reading to them.  I so hoped they would grow to love reading, to be able to imagine the words.  My mother was an avid reader as is my sister.  Me, not so much, to say the least.  I am a lover of the television.  From the time Megan was born we read to her .  As she got older she would bring a stack of books that she would want to read before bed.  She now reads several books a week and is more than happy to curl up on the sofa with a good book.

Today, Megan got the invitation for the Talented and Gifted program at school.  I was inclined to not allow it because the feedback I have received is that it is a ton of extra homework and in-depth projects.  But, she really wants to try it.  I emailed her teacher and received a wonderful response.  It seems they just test her again and she is reading on an 8th grade level.  They are very concerned that she will grow bored in the classroom and are already working to develop a plan to keep that from happening. What am I to do, the parent who hated and struggled in school needs to let the child who excels and loves it to make this decision.  If things get to be too much I can always pull her out I guess.  I am so proud of her!  Not just that she is one of ony a few invited to the program but because of her well thought out, mature pitch to her father and I to allow her to do it.  My baby is growing up!

Madison and Megan are as different as night and day.  I did the same with Madi as a baby but would have to almost force her to sit and listen.  I did not want reading to be a chore so I would not push too much.  We have tried many different things to try to make it fun.I know you are not supposed to compare children but it is hard.  Megan was reading fluently before Kindergarten.  Right now the best I can get from Madison is the  practice of a few sight words to humor me but then she is off to some pretend world that requires her undivided attention.

That is until recently.  She started Kindergarten this year.  She is loving everything about the experience!  Just this week she brought me a first reader that until now has been used for a million other things except a book and asked if we could read together.  Each night we have sat with a pre-level one reader and she reads to me then I read it her.  After, we have agreed that I will  read one chapter of a bigger book. This week was Freckle Juice by Judy Blume.  I am so proud of her!  She did a great job!  She is actually reading very well!

I guess they are right, you can not compare your kids, they are different people with different personalities, thoughts, interests and in time carve their own path.