Now that we are nearly ending our first month of school, I figured it was time for an update:
Caleb is slowly transitioning to middle school. The first few weeks were a big adjustment, because lockers, combinations, dressing out for PE, navigating hallways, and an open lunch time are all very new and different. After a few before and after school practice sessions for his locker, he is feeling good about it. (Good thing for him that his school is one of my schools, so I could help him out before and after!)
He has at least one friend in every class, which isn't always the case in middle school. He is happy about that and really likes several of his teachers. He is enjoying "Nest," as they call it, which is where students can eat lunch anytime during this one block of time and can also go to various clubs and activities around the school. He is able to hang out with his cousin during Nest and has already joined the Aquarium Club and Best Buddies.
Best Buddies is a wonderful organization that partners up children with special needs with a typical peer. On the first day of the club, Caleb was able to meet with guy who is typically not one to socialize. They hung out in the quiet room and played Uno. The teacher said she was thrilled that Caleb was able to bring him out of his shell a bit. Caleb is really excited to be part of this club, and his heart for kids with special needs is shining through!
The most challenging subject seems to be math, for a variety of reasons. We are plugging away at it and trying to get him to see the importance of daily practice--even when you don't have homework to do! Matt and I weren't big fans of math growing up either, so I'm not surprised that this is tough for Caleb. I think a tutor will be in his future, because he is already testing my math skills here!
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Abby is loving second grade! We are thrilled with how well she is doing right now (when you have a medically fragile kid, you learn to live in the "right now") and many people have commented on her energy and spunk! Her teacher is great and she has the same wonderful one-on-one, so life is good.
She was a little upset in the beginning that none of her friends from past years were in her class this year, but she has quickly made some new friends. There are some really sweet girls with her and I think it's great for Abby to be pushed out of her comfort zone a bit. She tends to rely on what she knows and is sometimes reluctant to step out (with the life she has had, I can't say that I blame her), so it's great that she has some new buddies.
Abby got bit by the reading bug this summer, and she has found several series of chapter books she likes. She has been reading a lot of Captain Underpants and Ivy and Bean books. I'm thankful to have another reader in the family, because it makes weekly book logs painless!
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I am continuing with my part time position with the ESOL department. I spent a good portion of the summer working with a group of classroom teachers to develop SIOP lessons to improve the academic language of all students through listening, speaking, reading, and writing. I hit the ground running when school started by working to get the lessons distributed and aligning what we did with a county-wide program called Learning-Focused. I will continue to provide staff development for classroom teachers at the county and school level, as well as teaching SIOP classes throughout the year and continuing to create SIOP lessons to be used in the classroom. Oh, and I have 6 schools where I monitor students who do not receive ESOL services! Do I sound busy? Yes I am! :)
I am also thrilled to be able to finally volunteer in Abby's class on Wednesday afternoons. The past few years, Abby's health has kept me from committing to volunteer, but her current stability is allowing it! Yay! I will be working with small groups of students on various skills, based on what her teacher needs. It is very helpful to be a teacher, because I am much more familiar with the curriculum and standards than your typical volunteer! I am also hoping to be able to help out with special events at Caleb's school this year as well.
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Matt is over halfway done with seminary now! He is pursuing a master's of religion and pastoral counseling, which extended his degree timeline a bit from his original master's of pastoral counseling. He takes 8 week modules, which allows him to do 2 classes a semester. For the most part, he is enjoying his classes--despite the many late nights of reading and writing papers!
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We are all in school in one way or another, and we are all back in the groove of getting up early and going to bed early. We are enjoying the start of fall and are ready for cooler days and sweatshirts!
Caleb is slowly transitioning to middle school. The first few weeks were a big adjustment, because lockers, combinations, dressing out for PE, navigating hallways, and an open lunch time are all very new and different. After a few before and after school practice sessions for his locker, he is feeling good about it. (Good thing for him that his school is one of my schools, so I could help him out before and after!)
He has at least one friend in every class, which isn't always the case in middle school. He is happy about that and really likes several of his teachers. He is enjoying "Nest," as they call it, which is where students can eat lunch anytime during this one block of time and can also go to various clubs and activities around the school. He is able to hang out with his cousin during Nest and has already joined the Aquarium Club and Best Buddies.
Best Buddies is a wonderful organization that partners up children with special needs with a typical peer. On the first day of the club, Caleb was able to meet with guy who is typically not one to socialize. They hung out in the quiet room and played Uno. The teacher said she was thrilled that Caleb was able to bring him out of his shell a bit. Caleb is really excited to be part of this club, and his heart for kids with special needs is shining through!
The most challenging subject seems to be math, for a variety of reasons. We are plugging away at it and trying to get him to see the importance of daily practice--even when you don't have homework to do! Matt and I weren't big fans of math growing up either, so I'm not surprised that this is tough for Caleb. I think a tutor will be in his future, because he is already testing my math skills here!
--------
Abby is loving second grade! We are thrilled with how well she is doing right now (when you have a medically fragile kid, you learn to live in the "right now") and many people have commented on her energy and spunk! Her teacher is great and she has the same wonderful one-on-one, so life is good.
She was a little upset in the beginning that none of her friends from past years were in her class this year, but she has quickly made some new friends. There are some really sweet girls with her and I think it's great for Abby to be pushed out of her comfort zone a bit. She tends to rely on what she knows and is sometimes reluctant to step out (with the life she has had, I can't say that I blame her), so it's great that she has some new buddies.
Abby got bit by the reading bug this summer, and she has found several series of chapter books she likes. She has been reading a lot of Captain Underpants and Ivy and Bean books. I'm thankful to have another reader in the family, because it makes weekly book logs painless!
---------
I am continuing with my part time position with the ESOL department. I spent a good portion of the summer working with a group of classroom teachers to develop SIOP lessons to improve the academic language of all students through listening, speaking, reading, and writing. I hit the ground running when school started by working to get the lessons distributed and aligning what we did with a county-wide program called Learning-Focused. I will continue to provide staff development for classroom teachers at the county and school level, as well as teaching SIOP classes throughout the year and continuing to create SIOP lessons to be used in the classroom. Oh, and I have 6 schools where I monitor students who do not receive ESOL services! Do I sound busy? Yes I am! :)
I am also thrilled to be able to finally volunteer in Abby's class on Wednesday afternoons. The past few years, Abby's health has kept me from committing to volunteer, but her current stability is allowing it! Yay! I will be working with small groups of students on various skills, based on what her teacher needs. It is very helpful to be a teacher, because I am much more familiar with the curriculum and standards than your typical volunteer! I am also hoping to be able to help out with special events at Caleb's school this year as well.
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Matt is over halfway done with seminary now! He is pursuing a master's of religion and pastoral counseling, which extended his degree timeline a bit from his original master's of pastoral counseling. He takes 8 week modules, which allows him to do 2 classes a semester. For the most part, he is enjoying his classes--despite the many late nights of reading and writing papers!
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We are all in school in one way or another, and we are all back in the groove of getting up early and going to bed early. We are enjoying the start of fall and are ready for cooler days and sweatshirts!
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