This morning at breakfast, Z brought over a small MagnaDoodle and poised the magnetic pen to write. I love that he's suddenly decided to draw letters, and he loves that he's rather good at it.
"Mom, how do you spell 'dude?'"
"D....." I started to reply.
"Is it d-o-o-d?" he ventured.
"Wow," I thought. "Not bad for a kid who hasn't had his 4th birthday yet."
And I love his word choice. It's so him!
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Research Project
Finally, J is taking an interest in his kindergarten homework!
This month, Mrs. G didn't send home a 1st grade challenge packet. She's crazy busy incubating chicken eggs in her classroom, among other things. And something magical happened; it was J week! The regular homework assignment was to draw 5 things that started with J. Of course, J was very excited to draw himself, so he decided to actually do his homework.
Thankfully, the problem of writing has been overcome. He hated homework because he had to write. But it's easier for him now, after getting so much practice at school, and having several more months of school under his belt. Now he has no problem labeling his drawings.
That was last week. This week, it's letter E. He's supposed to draw 5 things that hatch from eggs. I said, "Oooh, I bet we can come up with a lot of weird things that hatch out of eggs, instead of easy ones like chickens." He said, "Like a peregrine falcon!" I didn't know he knew what that was! Then he suggested a red-eyed tree frog, too.
We talked about even more animals that lay eggs, then stopped by the library. He said he wants to do 10 or 15 drawings, not just 5! And he's practically turning this into a research project, checking out books about different animals. He's learning about each animal as he draws them. So far, he's drawn a secretary bird (because they stomp on their prey), a platypus (Mom! Did you know they're poisonous?) a German cockroach, an echidna, and a manta ray. Technically manta rays are ovoviviparous, which I explained to Jared, but I say close enough for kindergarten.
Tonight, he said, "this homework is fun!"
This month, Mrs. G didn't send home a 1st grade challenge packet. She's crazy busy incubating chicken eggs in her classroom, among other things. And something magical happened; it was J week! The regular homework assignment was to draw 5 things that started with J. Of course, J was very excited to draw himself, so he decided to actually do his homework.
Thankfully, the problem of writing has been overcome. He hated homework because he had to write. But it's easier for him now, after getting so much practice at school, and having several more months of school under his belt. Now he has no problem labeling his drawings.
That was last week. This week, it's letter E. He's supposed to draw 5 things that hatch from eggs. I said, "Oooh, I bet we can come up with a lot of weird things that hatch out of eggs, instead of easy ones like chickens." He said, "Like a peregrine falcon!" I didn't know he knew what that was! Then he suggested a red-eyed tree frog, too.
We talked about even more animals that lay eggs, then stopped by the library. He said he wants to do 10 or 15 drawings, not just 5! And he's practically turning this into a research project, checking out books about different animals. He's learning about each animal as he draws them. So far, he's drawn a secretary bird (because they stomp on their prey), a platypus (Mom! Did you know they're poisonous?) a German cockroach, an echidna, and a manta ray. Technically manta rays are ovoviviparous, which I explained to Jared, but I say close enough for kindergarten.
Tonight, he said, "this homework is fun!"
The "Dumb One" in the family
A while ago, I was reading on a web site devoted to giftedness and came across a shocking story. I'm sorry I don't have a link for you, but this is the gist of it:
Dad was taking some courses at the local college to keep up with his profession. Mom was getting her Master's. And their 9 year old gifted daughter was taking a college class because she was that far ahead. One night, the 6 year old daughter was sobbing. The mom asked what was wrong, and she said, "I'm the dumb one in the family. I'm the only one who isn't in college!"
Shocking and funny, huh?
Well, it happened to us. Z turns 4 in a few weeks, and has been down in the dumps because he can't read. I told him that J didn't know how to read when he was 3, either, which helped a bit. And I told him I'd teach him how to read.
He's been doing great. He knew all the letters, upper- and lower-case, and the sounds each makes before his 2nd birthday. And he's actually better at guessing a word from the individual sounds than J was. So we asked at the library (for the second time) and were pointed toward BOB books. They're simple, with just a sentence or two per page. Z loves them! He's reading words like log, Pop, Jim, swim, the, sun, land, etc.
J also brings home little Harcourt "books" from kindergarten and hands them straight to Z. If he weren't only 3, Z would ace kindergarten!
Dad was taking some courses at the local college to keep up with his profession. Mom was getting her Master's. And their 9 year old gifted daughter was taking a college class because she was that far ahead. One night, the 6 year old daughter was sobbing. The mom asked what was wrong, and she said, "I'm the dumb one in the family. I'm the only one who isn't in college!"
Shocking and funny, huh?
Well, it happened to us. Z turns 4 in a few weeks, and has been down in the dumps because he can't read. I told him that J didn't know how to read when he was 3, either, which helped a bit. And I told him I'd teach him how to read.
He's been doing great. He knew all the letters, upper- and lower-case, and the sounds each makes before his 2nd birthday. And he's actually better at guessing a word from the individual sounds than J was. So we asked at the library (for the second time) and were pointed toward BOB books. They're simple, with just a sentence or two per page. Z loves them! He's reading words like log, Pop, Jim, swim, the, sun, land, etc.
J also brings home little Harcourt "books" from kindergarten and hands them straight to Z. If he weren't only 3, Z would ace kindergarten!
Friday, April 9, 2010
Library
We just came home from the library with another stack of books. I have been learning slowly what to say to the librarians so they know what I'm looking for. I asked about the FableHaven books, and they said they're in the teen section. "Whoa!" I said. "I'm looking for something for a 6 year old!" So she looked them up for me and said that they're for 9-10 year olds, not really teens. So we decided J will be okay with them and she reserved the first one for me.
I also asked about Ribsy by Beverly Cleary. I haven't been able to find it anywhere! She found it online and reserved it for me, too.
Then I asked about books for Z, who is almost 4 and is a bit intimidated by sentences. He is just nervous, but he can do it if I can just get him to try! She asked another librarian, who found "Bob books." They have two nearly identical sentences on facing pages, and just the last word is different and easy to read. So I'll read the first part, and let Z read the last word. For example,
I really think it will help Z build confidence in his reading ability!
I've asked these very librarians almost identical questions and never gotten these recommendations, so it definitely pays to ask again and again!
I also asked about Ribsy by Beverly Cleary. I haven't been able to find it anywhere! She found it online and reserved it for me, too.
Then I asked about books for Z, who is almost 4 and is a bit intimidated by sentences. He is just nervous, but he can do it if I can just get him to try! She asked another librarian, who found "Bob books." They have two nearly identical sentences on facing pages, and just the last word is different and easy to read. So I'll read the first part, and let Z read the last word. For example,
They march with a flag.
They march in the sun.
I really think it will help Z build confidence in his reading ability!
I've asked these very librarians almost identical questions and never gotten these recommendations, so it definitely pays to ask again and again!
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Carried Away
J (6) was fake-laughing about his fake flatulence (they're smart, but they're still boys). He was really hamming it up, so Z (3) just told J, "I think you got carried away."
Parent-Teacher Conference
I talked to Mrs. G about J today. I think she was surprised that I wanted a conference with her, because she isn't having problems with J. Maybe it's because I'm a first-time parent, but I want to talk to her just so I know what's going on from the teacher's perspective.
She seemed a tiny bit defensive, probably because most of her Spring conferences are only if the parent thinks there are problems. She said that she still has to coach J on how to do things, and showed me his journal. She looked through and found the word "robot." She remembered having to help him spell that. And she shows me his handwriting, saying it still needs work. "Of course, it's way better than the other kids..." I got the feeling that she was trying to prove that she can still teach J something. Like he's not perfect yet. I hope I didn't come across as though I think he is. Of course his writing can improve. He's 6! And of course he doesn't know how to spell everything. Just because he can do a lot of things like a 2nd, 3rd, or even 5th grader doesn't mean he does everything as well as a 2nd, 3rd, or 5th grader. I think I need to show my appreciation for her more, so she'll realize I do think she's doing a great job.
I asked her about friends. She says J has lots of friends. She mentioned that he seems to be bored at times, and ends up being social because of it. It's not a big problem, though.
She says that she knows where I'm coming from, because she has seven kids who were all gifted. I asked her, "What did you do?" She said they were in the GATE program and they did lots of stuff at home. While the sound of that stresses me out, I realized on the way home that "enrichment" is a natural part of our family life. I don't even remember what our discussion was about, but both J and Z were engrossed, asking questions, and sharing their ideas. And it was rather deep, if I remember correctly.
J read a book to Z out in the hall while we were waiting for our turn. When we were leaving, Mrs. G walked us out. I turned the book to the page where he'd left off, and asked if he wanted to finish it before we went home. He did read it, but silently. Mrs. G flipped it open to a random page and asked J to read it to her, and he freaked out! His eyes got wide and he fell on the floor, the equivalent of hiding behind my skirt, I think. That surprised me, because J has no qualms about reading to our immediate family or his grandparents. He had no problem giving a short talk in church, either. And that was in front of about 50 people! I guess J really has no opportunity to show his stuff in his classroom, which I suspected was the case. How often would he have the chance to read the word "viciously" in the books his class is reading? (it was in the book he read in the hall, though) How often would he have the chance to show that he can multiply when the other kids are learning how to count past 30?
While I think he's doing fine in his class, I know that he has needs that aren't being met. He could learn so much more if he weren't the only kid like him.
She seemed a tiny bit defensive, probably because most of her Spring conferences are only if the parent thinks there are problems. She said that she still has to coach J on how to do things, and showed me his journal. She looked through and found the word "robot." She remembered having to help him spell that. And she shows me his handwriting, saying it still needs work. "Of course, it's way better than the other kids..." I got the feeling that she was trying to prove that she can still teach J something. Like he's not perfect yet. I hope I didn't come across as though I think he is. Of course his writing can improve. He's 6! And of course he doesn't know how to spell everything. Just because he can do a lot of things like a 2nd, 3rd, or even 5th grader doesn't mean he does everything as well as a 2nd, 3rd, or 5th grader. I think I need to show my appreciation for her more, so she'll realize I do think she's doing a great job.
I asked her about friends. She says J has lots of friends. She mentioned that he seems to be bored at times, and ends up being social because of it. It's not a big problem, though.
She says that she knows where I'm coming from, because she has seven kids who were all gifted. I asked her, "What did you do?" She said they were in the GATE program and they did lots of stuff at home. While the sound of that stresses me out, I realized on the way home that "enrichment" is a natural part of our family life. I don't even remember what our discussion was about, but both J and Z were engrossed, asking questions, and sharing their ideas. And it was rather deep, if I remember correctly.
J read a book to Z out in the hall while we were waiting for our turn. When we were leaving, Mrs. G walked us out. I turned the book to the page where he'd left off, and asked if he wanted to finish it before we went home. He did read it, but silently. Mrs. G flipped it open to a random page and asked J to read it to her, and he freaked out! His eyes got wide and he fell on the floor, the equivalent of hiding behind my skirt, I think. That surprised me, because J has no qualms about reading to our immediate family or his grandparents. He had no problem giving a short talk in church, either. And that was in front of about 50 people! I guess J really has no opportunity to show his stuff in his classroom, which I suspected was the case. How often would he have the chance to read the word "viciously" in the books his class is reading? (it was in the book he read in the hall, though) How often would he have the chance to show that he can multiply when the other kids are learning how to count past 30?
While I think he's doing fine in his class, I know that he has needs that aren't being met. He could learn so much more if he weren't the only kid like him.
Reconciling Science & Religion
This morning, J said, "I know that there weren't really any people alive when the dinosaurs were on the earth."
"That's right," I said. "Can you imagine what it really would be like if there were dinosaurs and people together?"
He ignored my invitation for a discussion on that topic and asked, "So when did Adam & Eve come?"
Ah, yes. Quite interesting. And while I'm no dummy, I am pretty sure I didn't start wondering about how evolution, the fossil record, and the Bible all reconcile until I was in college.
"That's right," I said. "Can you imagine what it really would be like if there were dinosaurs and people together?"
He ignored my invitation for a discussion on that topic and asked, "So when did Adam & Eve come?"
Ah, yes. Quite interesting. And while I'm no dummy, I am pretty sure I didn't start wondering about how evolution, the fossil record, and the Bible all reconcile until I was in college.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Twenty Questions.
We played Twenty Questions for the first time last week, and my boys eat it up! I started by choosing an animal for the boys to figure out. Then they wanted turns. Z chose a baby zebra (his favorite, because they have brown stripes that turn black later, he says), then J chose a kangaroo, then there was a horse and some other things. Then it was J's turn again.
I had learned that his animal had no legs, it was definitely not a pet, it had no tail, and he wasn't sure about if it had a mouth. Completely perplexed, I gave up.
"It's an ammonite. I saw it on Dinosaur Train."
And I was thinking that kangaroo was an unusual choice! J definitely stepped up the game!
I think we might have to put some restrictions on the animals, like ones that aren't extinct.
I had learned that his animal had no legs, it was definitely not a pet, it had no tail, and he wasn't sure about if it had a mouth. Completely perplexed, I gave up.
"It's an ammonite. I saw it on Dinosaur Train."
And I was thinking that kangaroo was an unusual choice! J definitely stepped up the game!
I think we might have to put some restrictions on the animals, like ones that aren't extinct.
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