Nate's first day as a 4th grader with a new teacher and a classroom full of many new-to-the-school kids. He said his first day was awesome! Thank you, Lord.
Lucy's first day as a 2nd grader, with the same sweet teacher:
Showing posts with label School. Show all posts
Showing posts with label School. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 03, 2014
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
Nate's class play
Jon and I went to the first performance of Nate's class play, "Noah's Ark," this morning. In the third grade at this school, students learn about "Hebrew Stories"--so even though this is a public school, they read about the Old Testament.
Nate was Noah in the play! Here's a video:
Nate was Noah in the play! Here's a video:
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
School update
We met with the administration team at school yesterday about Nate. It was nice to share some of the things that have been going on in the class--and it sounds like we were just confirming things they mostly already knew.
In between my request to move Nate to a different grade and yesterday's meeting, the administration announced they would be adding another 4th grade class next year (the grade Nate will/would be in if we didn't make a change). Nate's current teacher will be one of the 4th grade teachers, and a new teacher will be added to teach the second 4th grade. Some of the current 4th graders would switch to the new class, while a slew of kids on the waiting list to get into the school would complete that class (and some would be added into Nate's current class).
While I wanted to wait to see what the teachers and administration recommended regarding Nate (whether to switch grades or stay), I thought moving Nate to the new 4th grade class would be a good solution: new teacher, some of the same kids (but not all), no negative reactions about being "held back," etc. The people at yesterday's meeting seemed to agree, and so that's what will be done. Yay!
In between my request to move Nate to a different grade and yesterday's meeting, the administration announced they would be adding another 4th grade class next year (the grade Nate will/would be in if we didn't make a change). Nate's current teacher will be one of the 4th grade teachers, and a new teacher will be added to teach the second 4th grade. Some of the current 4th graders would switch to the new class, while a slew of kids on the waiting list to get into the school would complete that class (and some would be added into Nate's current class).
While I wanted to wait to see what the teachers and administration recommended regarding Nate (whether to switch grades or stay), I thought moving Nate to the new 4th grade class would be a good solution: new teacher, some of the same kids (but not all), no negative reactions about being "held back," etc. The people at yesterday's meeting seemed to agree, and so that's what will be done. Yay!
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
School update
After praying and thinking through Nate's current school situation, I kept coming back to something I had dismissed at first: keeping Nate in 3rd grade again next year (holding him back). This would mean he would be the oldest (but not by far--only 9 days!), not the youngest. It could mean he would be in his cousin, Cami's, class, which he would love. It would mean he'd have another year to catch up on the things he's behind on (fine motor and gross motor skills, music, handwriting, some math). It would mean he would have a different teacher, and both of the possible teachers (there are two classes for that grade) are more experienced and stricter than Nate's current teacher.
Jon has reminded me that this solution won't solve everything. Nate quite possibly will still be teased. Jon has rightly observed that Nate doesn't know how to react to other boys' typical teasing behavior. He reacts weakly, angrily--basically inviting more teasing. So whatever happens with his classroom situation, Jon and I need to be even more diligent in training him and talking with him about this. He can't control other boys, but he is in control of how he reacts.
I spoke to the principal last week about the situation and my idea. It was obvious he had heard from other parents about the current classroom situation and knew the teacher wasn't equipped to lead this class well. He was very open to my idea of holding Nate back; in fact, it sounds like he thinks it's a very good idea. I think there are formalities that need to take place (approvals, seeing if there is room in one of the classes as far as numbers go, etc.), but I'm pretty confident it will happen. Although I would like to move Nate now, I think I'm the only one who thinks that's a good idea. Since I've never done this before, I'm willing to agree to the timing everyone else recommends--so it will probably be over the summer. In the meantime, he's still in the same situation and will be until June. That makes me sad, but I do feel renewed energy and motivation to do better at guiding Nate in how to behave and react.
We haven't spoken about all of this with Nate, yet. Once things are more solidified, we will. I think he will think it's a good idea.
Jon has reminded me that this solution won't solve everything. Nate quite possibly will still be teased. Jon has rightly observed that Nate doesn't know how to react to other boys' typical teasing behavior. He reacts weakly, angrily--basically inviting more teasing. So whatever happens with his classroom situation, Jon and I need to be even more diligent in training him and talking with him about this. He can't control other boys, but he is in control of how he reacts.
I spoke to the principal last week about the situation and my idea. It was obvious he had heard from other parents about the current classroom situation and knew the teacher wasn't equipped to lead this class well. He was very open to my idea of holding Nate back; in fact, it sounds like he thinks it's a very good idea. I think there are formalities that need to take place (approvals, seeing if there is room in one of the classes as far as numbers go, etc.), but I'm pretty confident it will happen. Although I would like to move Nate now, I think I'm the only one who thinks that's a good idea. Since I've never done this before, I'm willing to agree to the timing everyone else recommends--so it will probably be over the summer. In the meantime, he's still in the same situation and will be until June. That makes me sad, but I do feel renewed energy and motivation to do better at guiding Nate in how to behave and react.
We haven't spoken about all of this with Nate, yet. Once things are more solidified, we will. I think he will think it's a good idea.
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
School and when to step in
I am really happy with the kids' school... for Lucy and for Levi. Lucy loves pretty much everything about 1st grade, and I love her teacher. Levi has adjusted well to his first year of kindergarten. For Nate, I am leaning toward unhappy. His class, unlike any other class I've been in/seen at school, is out of control. The boys especially are raucous, disrespectful, and defiant. I've gone on a couple of field trips with the class and am shocked at how these boys talk to adults. I'm finding that, while Nate's teacher is incredibly nice and is a good teacher as far as the subject matter she teaches and the ideas she has, she is unassertive and has no control over the class.
Most of these boys are pretty mean to Nate. Nate has mentioned little things here and there, but it is actually from other moms that I hear how mean these boys are. (These are usually moms of the girls in the class, who obviously tell their moms much more about school than Nate tells me.) I'm not sure how much the teacher sees/hears and how much the boys are able to keep their comments and behaviors toward Nate out of earshot/eyesight. Even if she does hear/see some of the things, I think the class has gotten so out of control that she is beyond being able to regain it.
My dilemma has been wondering when to step in. So far, I have been pretty "hands off." I have not requested extra meetings with the teacher; I haven't contacted the moms of the biggest offenders. But from what I can tell, Nate is being targeted--daily, consistently, pointedly--by multiple boys. Other moms have definitely used the words "being bullied" to me about Nate. Of course I've talked with Nate about how he should act. I know he plays at recess with Lucy, Cami, and boys/kids from other classes, so he isn't by himself during recess. I do think he reacts meanly/negatively to the boys in his class, which probably eggs them on and might also invite more meanness.
So... Do I wait out the school year in hopes they replace the current teacher (I've heard whispers here and there that this might happen)? Do I speak to the principal? At this point, I really don't see talking to the teacher doing much good; she and I have spoken on occasion, and I don't see her being able to change anything going on in the class. Do I take Nate out of school altogether and homeschool him? Do I have him repeat 3rd grade so he could be in a different class next year (I know that's really not an option, but it has crossed my mind)? I really don't know where I stand right now! I want to keep Nate at school because I value consistency and I do like this school, but I don't want to ignore an issue that has become bigger than a "hardship he can use as a growing opportunity."
Most of these boys are pretty mean to Nate. Nate has mentioned little things here and there, but it is actually from other moms that I hear how mean these boys are. (These are usually moms of the girls in the class, who obviously tell their moms much more about school than Nate tells me.) I'm not sure how much the teacher sees/hears and how much the boys are able to keep their comments and behaviors toward Nate out of earshot/eyesight. Even if she does hear/see some of the things, I think the class has gotten so out of control that she is beyond being able to regain it.
My dilemma has been wondering when to step in. So far, I have been pretty "hands off." I have not requested extra meetings with the teacher; I haven't contacted the moms of the biggest offenders. But from what I can tell, Nate is being targeted--daily, consistently, pointedly--by multiple boys. Other moms have definitely used the words "being bullied" to me about Nate. Of course I've talked with Nate about how he should act. I know he plays at recess with Lucy, Cami, and boys/kids from other classes, so he isn't by himself during recess. I do think he reacts meanly/negatively to the boys in his class, which probably eggs them on and might also invite more meanness.
So... Do I wait out the school year in hopes they replace the current teacher (I've heard whispers here and there that this might happen)? Do I speak to the principal? At this point, I really don't see talking to the teacher doing much good; she and I have spoken on occasion, and I don't see her being able to change anything going on in the class. Do I take Nate out of school altogether and homeschool him? Do I have him repeat 3rd grade so he could be in a different class next year (I know that's really not an option, but it has crossed my mind)? I really don't know where I stand right now! I want to keep Nate at school because I value consistency and I do like this school, but I don't want to ignore an issue that has become bigger than a "hardship he can use as a growing opportunity."
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Checking in
I'm sorry my blog posting has slowed to a trickle! Here's what's going on here...
- I can't remember if I posted about it on here, but I recently joined a team of three girls who took over the children's ministry at church. It is going fine and means just a bit more work each week than usual. Team leading has its benefits (less work for everyone) and its drawbacks (things slip through the cracks when each person thinks one of the others is going to take care of it and/or sometimes one person seems to do more than the others).
- I'm still working one day a week at the graphic design studio in Long Beach (Vision Design Studio) and also from home. It's still going well and I enjoy it. I'm not really a proofreader anymore (though I do help with that sometimes); now I'm a "special projects coordinator." I help coordinate one of the big ongoing projects (i.e., as soon as the June project finishes up, we have to start preparing for the September project, then December, then March) our company does for our biggest client. I like it.
- The children are all doing well at school. I think Nate is fitting in better in class now that he has been there a while (it's the same class, same teacher as last year). Lucy loves 1st grade. Levi is having the kinds of adjustments you would expect from a child starting school for the first time--figuring out how to get along with new children, how to deal with kids who are sometimes mean, etc. It's all going very well, though.
- We are going to Virginia for Christmas. Yay for solidified plans! :)
Now we're off to AWANA!
- I can't remember if I posted about it on here, but I recently joined a team of three girls who took over the children's ministry at church. It is going fine and means just a bit more work each week than usual. Team leading has its benefits (less work for everyone) and its drawbacks (things slip through the cracks when each person thinks one of the others is going to take care of it and/or sometimes one person seems to do more than the others).
- I'm still working one day a week at the graphic design studio in Long Beach (Vision Design Studio) and also from home. It's still going well and I enjoy it. I'm not really a proofreader anymore (though I do help with that sometimes); now I'm a "special projects coordinator." I help coordinate one of the big ongoing projects (i.e., as soon as the June project finishes up, we have to start preparing for the September project, then December, then March) our company does for our biggest client. I like it.
- The children are all doing well at school. I think Nate is fitting in better in class now that he has been there a while (it's the same class, same teacher as last year). Lucy loves 1st grade. Levi is having the kinds of adjustments you would expect from a child starting school for the first time--figuring out how to get along with new children, how to deal with kids who are sometimes mean, etc. It's all going very well, though.
- We are going to Virginia for Christmas. Yay for solidified plans! :)
Now we're off to AWANA!
Monday, September 16, 2013
The next stage
I'm sitting alone at the computer at home. Quietly. With a clean house. I have never, as a mother, uttered those three sentences together.
We are in the second full week of school, and things are going well around here. We're settling back into the school routine well, and all the kids are enjoying school. Nate was excited to get back to see his teacher (same teacher as last year) and was excited about some of the special things about 3rd grade. This is the first year they do an overnight field trip (camping--in May). Lucy is loving 1st grade, as I knew she would: all the things she wanted to do last year she now gets to do (knitting/hand work, Spanish, more painting and art, etc.). She also is excited to read. Levi is adjusting well to school, though I can tell he's tired. He came home on the first day and said, proudly, "Mom: I didn't punch ANYone."
As for me, I'm enjoying the quiet. Last week was a busy week with not much time at home, so today is the first day I've actually had more than an hour or two here. Now that I've done all that was on my list (it was a pretty long list!--but work gets done quickly when you're by yourself) and am waiting for the last load of laundry to finish drying, I'm kind of in between thinking about a) starting some sort of sewing project or b) just letting the clean house stay clean.
We are in the second full week of school, and things are going well around here. We're settling back into the school routine well, and all the kids are enjoying school. Nate was excited to get back to see his teacher (same teacher as last year) and was excited about some of the special things about 3rd grade. This is the first year they do an overnight field trip (camping--in May). Lucy is loving 1st grade, as I knew she would: all the things she wanted to do last year she now gets to do (knitting/hand work, Spanish, more painting and art, etc.). She also is excited to read. Levi is adjusting well to school, though I can tell he's tired. He came home on the first day and said, proudly, "Mom: I didn't punch ANYone."
As for me, I'm enjoying the quiet. Last week was a busy week with not much time at home, so today is the first day I've actually had more than an hour or two here. Now that I've done all that was on my list (it was a pretty long list!--but work gets done quickly when you're by yourself) and am waiting for the last load of laundry to finish drying, I'm kind of in between thinking about a) starting some sort of sewing project or b) just letting the clean house stay clean.
Friday, May 03, 2013
Quick update
I've seen some general improvement in Nate the last week or two--generally happier at school, good comments from his teacher. So this week I asked him, "Do you like school a lot? Or do you like school a tiny bit? Or do you not like school at all?" He answered, "Hmm. I like school a tiny bit. Oh OK, actually I like school a lot."
Friday, April 05, 2013
School update - Nate
Hey there! A lot has been going on in the school realm around here. Lucy is doing well and is officially headed to 1st grade in the fall. Nate is doing OK--not great. The reasons for that are twofold: 1) he feels he doesn't fit in and hasn't made friends and 2) he gets easily frustrated with the work they do that is hard for him.
Regarding friendships, Jon and I are seeing Nate struggle in this area because other kids aren't necessarily always being kind but ALSO (and maybe more frequently) because Nate either misinterprets/exaggerates what someone says (e.g., someone tells him to stop doing something and now he thinks that person doesn't like him) or because he is not being thoughtful/kind. He still needs to learn how to be a friend. We're talking about it, but talking and doing are two very different things!
The work in class he is getting frustrated with are the things I knew wouldn't be his favorite: form drawing (art and handwriting related) and music (they are playing the wood flute this year). They aren't his favorites not because of what they are but because they are difficult for him. He wasn't at this school in 1st grade to start learning form drawing, so he started the year at a disadvantage. And the fine motor skills required to cover the holes on the wood flute are frustrating for him, and I think he just gives up. He doesn't want to do anything hard.
Jon and I met with Nate's teacher, Miss Torrey, this week at her request. She showed us some of his work and said generally, he is doing well. His spelling, math, etc. skills are on par. He is a great reader, of course. The more artistic things are improving. But, sweet thing, she said at the beginning of the year Nate was such a light--so enthusiastic and happy. And recently she says he hasn't been that way and seems unhappy at school. :( She was spot on. Jon and I said it's because of the friendships thing and the frustration/not wanting to try with some of the work. But he is still generally a happy kid and doesn't "fight" going to school in the mornings. It's sad to think he's unhappy, BUT I think it will be a life lesson for him if he can push through, learn to be a friend, and end up thriving. Miss Torrey believes he will integrate much better into class come 3rd grade. At Journey School, the children stay together in the same class, so Nate will be with all the same kids next year. Miss Torrey saw some of the children who were new in 1st grade have a hard time, but then they fit right in when 2nd grade started. We're hoping that's the case for Nate.
Regarding friendships, Jon and I are seeing Nate struggle in this area because other kids aren't necessarily always being kind but ALSO (and maybe more frequently) because Nate either misinterprets/exaggerates what someone says (e.g., someone tells him to stop doing something and now he thinks that person doesn't like him) or because he is not being thoughtful/kind. He still needs to learn how to be a friend. We're talking about it, but talking and doing are two very different things!
The work in class he is getting frustrated with are the things I knew wouldn't be his favorite: form drawing (art and handwriting related) and music (they are playing the wood flute this year). They aren't his favorites not because of what they are but because they are difficult for him. He wasn't at this school in 1st grade to start learning form drawing, so he started the year at a disadvantage. And the fine motor skills required to cover the holes on the wood flute are frustrating for him, and I think he just gives up. He doesn't want to do anything hard.
Jon and I met with Nate's teacher, Miss Torrey, this week at her request. She showed us some of his work and said generally, he is doing well. His spelling, math, etc. skills are on par. He is a great reader, of course. The more artistic things are improving. But, sweet thing, she said at the beginning of the year Nate was such a light--so enthusiastic and happy. And recently she says he hasn't been that way and seems unhappy at school. :( She was spot on. Jon and I said it's because of the friendships thing and the frustration/not wanting to try with some of the work. But he is still generally a happy kid and doesn't "fight" going to school in the mornings. It's sad to think he's unhappy, BUT I think it will be a life lesson for him if he can push through, learn to be a friend, and end up thriving. Miss Torrey believes he will integrate much better into class come 3rd grade. At Journey School, the children stay together in the same class, so Nate will be with all the same kids next year. Miss Torrey saw some of the children who were new in 1st grade have a hard time, but then they fit right in when 2nd grade started. We're hoping that's the case for Nate.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
School: one week in
The transition to school has gone pretty well! Both kids are smiling and talking about the fun they had when I pick them up.
The hardest part so far is the mornings with Lucy--specifically, the 50 feet between the school parking lot and her class, which should take less than a minute but inevitably takes much longer (one day about 25 minutes). She has a rough time with her shoes and socks (required at school), even though she need only wear them between the car and class, since they take them off in class. And yes, you read that right--one day it took 25 minutes, between tantrums in the car, tantrums in the parking lot, and tantrums on the ramp into class (and she still wasn't late--I've been arriving early since I know the meltdowns are coming). I'm pretty sure every parent and every administrator witnessed those. I was pretty close to turning around and taking her home, but then I would be stuck with her! I know that sounds bad, but she has fun in class and does well in class, and then I get a break--from the tantrums and screaming and battles. Last night before bed, we were talking about how much she screamed in the car yesterday on the way to school, and I asked if she has tantrums like that in her class. "No," she said. "I am good for my teachers. I try extra to be good for them." So I asked, "Why don't you try extra to be good for me, too, then?" She answered, "I can't." Hmm... we'll have to talk more about that one.
Nate has had nice things to say about his teacher and the other kids in his class. He loves recess best (they get two) and has been excited about the foods I'm sending in his snack and lunch. He's adjusting well!
Levi is getting used to the quieter house, especially since we still have plenty of out-of-the-house meetings, park dates, and errands to keep us busy.
The hardest part so far is the mornings with Lucy--specifically, the 50 feet between the school parking lot and her class, which should take less than a minute but inevitably takes much longer (one day about 25 minutes). She has a rough time with her shoes and socks (required at school), even though she need only wear them between the car and class, since they take them off in class. And yes, you read that right--one day it took 25 minutes, between tantrums in the car, tantrums in the parking lot, and tantrums on the ramp into class (and she still wasn't late--I've been arriving early since I know the meltdowns are coming). I'm pretty sure every parent and every administrator witnessed those. I was pretty close to turning around and taking her home, but then I would be stuck with her! I know that sounds bad, but she has fun in class and does well in class, and then I get a break--from the tantrums and screaming and battles. Last night before bed, we were talking about how much she screamed in the car yesterday on the way to school, and I asked if she has tantrums like that in her class. "No," she said. "I am good for my teachers. I try extra to be good for them." So I asked, "Why don't you try extra to be good for me, too, then?" She answered, "I can't." Hmm... we'll have to talk more about that one.
Nate has had nice things to say about his teacher and the other kids in his class. He loves recess best (they get two) and has been excited about the foods I'm sending in his snack and lunch. He's adjusting well!
Levi is getting used to the quieter house, especially since we still have plenty of out-of-the-house meetings, park dates, and errands to keep us busy.
Wednesday, September 05, 2012
First day of school
We had a great morning!
Truth be told, I teared up when Nate walked into his class. I was glad he didn't even pause to look back, though!
Lucy had a little bit of a hard time walking from the car to her class because of her shoes (there was a 10-minute delay while she took them off and put them back on a couple of times. I arrived early for this reason), so I actually didn't feel too misty-eyed when she went into her class successfully. :) Here she is with one of her new friends she met at the kindergarten park playdate last week:
And now it's just this guy and me.
We went to the school's opening ceremony together, which was for 1st through 8th graders (so we saw Nate).
Then he asked me to take this picture of him.
Truth be told, I teared up when Nate walked into his class. I was glad he didn't even pause to look back, though!
Lucy had a little bit of a hard time walking from the car to her class because of her shoes (there was a 10-minute delay while she took them off and put them back on a couple of times. I arrived early for this reason), so I actually didn't feel too misty-eyed when she went into her class successfully. :) Here she is with one of her new friends she met at the kindergarten park playdate last week:
And now it's just this guy and me.
We went to the school's opening ceremony together, which was for 1st through 8th graders (so we saw Nate).
Then he asked me to take this picture of him.
Now we're home and it's pretty quiet!
Tuesday, September 04, 2012
Back to School Party 2012
This year's party (our first) is actually called the Night Before School Party, since we aren't really going "back" to school but starting it for the first time. I wanted to make it special and fun for the kids so we can start a fun tradition that is pretty simple for me to accomplish (dinner? already do that anyway. dessert? not too hard. invitations and decorations? simple to print out and blow up.).
I bought a small gift for each child as a surprise waiting for them at the dinner table. Nate got a mini Simon game. Lucy got three new puzzles--something she has been asking for. Levi got a car.
At dinner, we took time to say what we love about each child, and Nate and Lucy also told us what they're most looking forward to at school. I told Nate I love that he is a leader and that he is a good singer even if he doesn't like to sing. :) I told Lucy I love that she is compassionate and that she loves to color. I told Levi I love that he is affectionate. Nate said he is most looking forward to playing with friends at school. Lucy said she is most looking forward to coloring.
I bought a small gift for each child as a surprise waiting for them at the dinner table. Nate got a mini Simon game. Lucy got three new puzzles--something she has been asking for. Levi got a car.
At dinner, we took time to say what we love about each child, and Nate and Lucy also told us what they're most looking forward to at school. I told Nate I love that he is a leader and that he is a good singer even if he doesn't like to sing. :) I told Lucy I love that she is compassionate and that she loves to color. I told Levi I love that he is affectionate. Nate said he is most looking forward to playing with friends at school. Lucy said she is most looking forward to coloring.
Monday, May 21, 2012
School
As I mentioned briefly, Lucy got into Journey School! We got the call a couple of weeks ago that she'd moved up the waiting list from number 10 all the way into the class. That means that Nate is now number 1 on the 2nd grade waiting list.
Lucy and I went to a brief meeting with several of the kindergarten teachers. They asked me about Lucy's temperament, eating and sleeping habits, likes and dislikes, etc. They do this for all the children and take the information into account when dividing the classes; they try to balance the classrooms this way. I'll be very interested to see if Lucy's "home personality" comes out in the classroom. Although the teachers exchanged smiles remembering other "shy in public, crazy at home" students who reveal their "home personalities" by October or November, I tend to think that won't happen with Lucy. I think she'll save up all her tantrums and craziness for the car ride home from school each day. :)
One of the reasons I didn't post right away with the good news about making it into the school is that I've been struggling with some indecision. I do believe this is a good decision for us, but I can't help feeling guilty for giving up on homeschooling. And there are some things that are so nice about homeschooling that I know we'll miss. (For example, we've gone to the pool several times in the past couple of weeks by 11:00 or 12:00--when the kids would normally still have several hours of school left. Another "nice about homeschooling thing" we'll miss is the flexibility, especially with travel: my sister Lucy is getting married in September--yay!!!!--and homeschooling would have meant we could travel to Virginia for however long we needed/wanted. Being in Journey School will mean the children will have to go to VA for the shortest trip possible.) So, like I said, I'm still wavering. I don't think I want to homeschool; I'm just mourning the loss of the great things about it. (I think.) :)
Lucy and I went to a brief meeting with several of the kindergarten teachers. They asked me about Lucy's temperament, eating and sleeping habits, likes and dislikes, etc. They do this for all the children and take the information into account when dividing the classes; they try to balance the classrooms this way. I'll be very interested to see if Lucy's "home personality" comes out in the classroom. Although the teachers exchanged smiles remembering other "shy in public, crazy at home" students who reveal their "home personalities" by October or November, I tend to think that won't happen with Lucy. I think she'll save up all her tantrums and craziness for the car ride home from school each day. :)
One of the reasons I didn't post right away with the good news about making it into the school is that I've been struggling with some indecision. I do believe this is a good decision for us, but I can't help feeling guilty for giving up on homeschooling. And there are some things that are so nice about homeschooling that I know we'll miss. (For example, we've gone to the pool several times in the past couple of weeks by 11:00 or 12:00--when the kids would normally still have several hours of school left. Another "nice about homeschooling thing" we'll miss is the flexibility, especially with travel: my sister Lucy is getting married in September--yay!!!!--and homeschooling would have meant we could travel to Virginia for however long we needed/wanted. Being in Journey School will mean the children will have to go to VA for the shortest trip possible.) So, like I said, I'm still wavering. I don't think I want to homeschool; I'm just mourning the loss of the great things about it. (I think.) :)
Monday, February 27, 2012
Visit to Journey School
Jon and I had that tour of Journey School on Friday. Overall, I really liked it and am excited about the possibility of the kids going there! We sat in for a couple of minutes on each class and also toured the campus itself.
First, the negatives:
- I researched parent reviews of the school in addition to the school's statewide "scores." The school's standardized testing scores were on the low side, which was expected. They do not "teach to the tests," and, because of the way they teach reading, their students are "behind" on language arts until 2nd-3rd grade (then they surpass average scores). The negative parent reviews I found were centered on two areas: 1) the school isn't academic enough/doesn't prepare kids for high school and 2) the administration is unorganized and has high turnover. I feel the parents who complained about the school's academics either hadn't researched what Waldorf education is about or just had no idea what they were getting into by sending their kids to this school. It's an admittedly alternative approach. Regarding the administration, I do worry a bit about accusations of lack of organization; however, the current head administrator has been there three years and has a pretty amazing background. It looks like things are moving in the right direction in this regard.
- I worry that, because Nate can already read very well, he would be extremely bored in a 2nd grade class where they are still learning the basics. Talking with some teacher friends of mine, I was reassured that any teacher will be able to identify Nate's ability in this area. If he were given a "special job" of helping some of the other kids, I know he would love that. My plan, if we attend Journey, would be not to jump right in and proclaim to the teacher that my son is a reading genius, but instead to see how the beginning of the year goes and see if Nate even minds the pace.
- Like any public school, presentation of religion can be sketchy. This school seems particularly "spiritual" but not necessarily in the right way--perhaps too much focus on Nature and general spirituality.
Now the positives:
- Sitting in the 2nd grade class (where Nate would be next year), I kept thinking, "Nate would like this." It is very participatory.
- The atmosphere of the campus. It was calm, clean--hard to explain but I liked it.
- Each grade has only one or two classes. Nate would be in a grade of one class, while Lucy would be in a grade of two classes (four kindergarten classes, but because they have kindergarten for two years, they move up to two 1st grade classes). This means all the kids know each other; there is a family atmosphere. It doesn't feel clique-y at all. (Regarding kindergarten being two years: Lucy would enter as a second-year kindergartener.)
- All students participate in music (recorder, moving on to violin, moving on to more choices like guitar, cello), "hand work" (knitting, etc., which is great for brain development), and gardening. Third graders do some woodworking as part of their math curriculum.
- Lucy would LOVE the focus on artwork, drawing, etc.
- Although some things in 2nd grade would be easy (too easy?) for Nate, there are also so many areas he could really grow in at Journey, particularly drawing/artwork, creativity, out-of-the-box/critical thinking, and imagination.
- The location of the school. It's tucked down at the bottom of a hill and has a lot of space. There is plenty of playground/open space outside and also trails just off campus, which they use for hiking. The kindergarteners go on full-day hikes/walks one day per week.
- Our chances of actually getting into the school are much, much better than at the other school I looked at. We were told that the chances of getting into the K classes are quite good, even being out of district. Then, if a child gets into a class and that child has a sibling, that sibling automatically moves to the front of the list for his/her grade. So if Lucy gets into the K (and chances are decent), then Nate would at least be at the front of wait list for 2nd. I would continue to homeschool him until a spot opened for him.
I am turning in our applications tomorrow. The lottery is March 14, and they notify you by phone within a week if your child makes it into a class (or by letter within 10 days if you're on the wait list). Pray! :)
First, the negatives:
- I researched parent reviews of the school in addition to the school's statewide "scores." The school's standardized testing scores were on the low side, which was expected. They do not "teach to the tests," and, because of the way they teach reading, their students are "behind" on language arts until 2nd-3rd grade (then they surpass average scores). The negative parent reviews I found were centered on two areas: 1) the school isn't academic enough/doesn't prepare kids for high school and 2) the administration is unorganized and has high turnover. I feel the parents who complained about the school's academics either hadn't researched what Waldorf education is about or just had no idea what they were getting into by sending their kids to this school. It's an admittedly alternative approach. Regarding the administration, I do worry a bit about accusations of lack of organization; however, the current head administrator has been there three years and has a pretty amazing background. It looks like things are moving in the right direction in this regard.
- I worry that, because Nate can already read very well, he would be extremely bored in a 2nd grade class where they are still learning the basics. Talking with some teacher friends of mine, I was reassured that any teacher will be able to identify Nate's ability in this area. If he were given a "special job" of helping some of the other kids, I know he would love that. My plan, if we attend Journey, would be not to jump right in and proclaim to the teacher that my son is a reading genius, but instead to see how the beginning of the year goes and see if Nate even minds the pace.
- Like any public school, presentation of religion can be sketchy. This school seems particularly "spiritual" but not necessarily in the right way--perhaps too much focus on Nature and general spirituality.
Now the positives:
- Sitting in the 2nd grade class (where Nate would be next year), I kept thinking, "Nate would like this." It is very participatory.
- The atmosphere of the campus. It was calm, clean--hard to explain but I liked it.
- Each grade has only one or two classes. Nate would be in a grade of one class, while Lucy would be in a grade of two classes (four kindergarten classes, but because they have kindergarten for two years, they move up to two 1st grade classes). This means all the kids know each other; there is a family atmosphere. It doesn't feel clique-y at all. (Regarding kindergarten being two years: Lucy would enter as a second-year kindergartener.)
- All students participate in music (recorder, moving on to violin, moving on to more choices like guitar, cello), "hand work" (knitting, etc., which is great for brain development), and gardening. Third graders do some woodworking as part of their math curriculum.
- Lucy would LOVE the focus on artwork, drawing, etc.
- Although some things in 2nd grade would be easy (too easy?) for Nate, there are also so many areas he could really grow in at Journey, particularly drawing/artwork, creativity, out-of-the-box/critical thinking, and imagination.
- The location of the school. It's tucked down at the bottom of a hill and has a lot of space. There is plenty of playground/open space outside and also trails just off campus, which they use for hiking. The kindergarteners go on full-day hikes/walks one day per week.
- Our chances of actually getting into the school are much, much better than at the other school I looked at. We were told that the chances of getting into the K classes are quite good, even being out of district. Then, if a child gets into a class and that child has a sibling, that sibling automatically moves to the front of the list for his/her grade. So if Lucy gets into the K (and chances are decent), then Nate would at least be at the front of wait list for 2nd. I would continue to homeschool him until a spot opened for him.
I am turning in our applications tomorrow. The lottery is March 14, and they notify you by phone within a week if your child makes it into a class (or by letter within 10 days if you're on the wait list). Pray! :)
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Food & school
Things around here are busy, as usual. I feel like I spend every spare minute of the day in the kitchen--either cooking or doing dishes.
I've moved all of us along to GAPS stage 5, which means we can have roasted or pan-fried vegetables and meats (not just boiled now), some nut butters (nice for a snack), some raw vegetables (like cucumber), savory muffins made with almond flour, and more. It's nice to add more variety. I also ordered a juicer with my saved-up Etsy money, since fresh juice is part of the diet.
I also bought a ton of strawberries on sale yesterday (thanks for the tip, Amy!) and enjoyed rinsing them (strong Kangen water) in my beautiful new stockpot:
I'm trying this idea with them and hope they are good. They'll be a nice between-meals treat for the children.
In other news, a couple of weeks ago I attended a parent info meeting at Oxford Prep regarding their homeschooling program. After the meeting, I decided that Oxford is not for us. This is for a variety of reasons, the main one being that since we are out of district, we get absolute last priority in the lottery and in placement. Another big reason is that, with the 2-3 days at home, 2-3 days at school setup, it is different for each grade (and even month by month), so that Lucy and Nate would be at school on different days, different times (or same days, different times), making for non-stop pick-ups and drop-offs (sometimes 4 in one day).
Ruling Oxford out meant I was back to square one with a schooling decision. Then, after Casey visited and really liked it, I re-looked at Journey School, another charter school in the area (Aliso Viejo). I had heard of the school before but didn't look into it because it sounded a little wacky. Frankly, it does still sound a little "alternative," but it might be great! Neil and Casey really liked it for Bennett. I'm going to visit on Friday. It's still out of our district (we're in Saddleback; it's in Capo), but the chances of getting in are much, much better than at Oxford. I'll have a better idea after Friday.
I've moved all of us along to GAPS stage 5, which means we can have roasted or pan-fried vegetables and meats (not just boiled now), some nut butters (nice for a snack), some raw vegetables (like cucumber), savory muffins made with almond flour, and more. It's nice to add more variety. I also ordered a juicer with my saved-up Etsy money, since fresh juice is part of the diet.
I also bought a ton of strawberries on sale yesterday (thanks for the tip, Amy!) and enjoyed rinsing them (strong Kangen water) in my beautiful new stockpot:
I'm trying this idea with them and hope they are good. They'll be a nice between-meals treat for the children.
In other news, a couple of weeks ago I attended a parent info meeting at Oxford Prep regarding their homeschooling program. After the meeting, I decided that Oxford is not for us. This is for a variety of reasons, the main one being that since we are out of district, we get absolute last priority in the lottery and in placement. Another big reason is that, with the 2-3 days at home, 2-3 days at school setup, it is different for each grade (and even month by month), so that Lucy and Nate would be at school on different days, different times (or same days, different times), making for non-stop pick-ups and drop-offs (sometimes 4 in one day).
Ruling Oxford out meant I was back to square one with a schooling decision. Then, after Casey visited and really liked it, I re-looked at Journey School, another charter school in the area (Aliso Viejo). I had heard of the school before but didn't look into it because it sounded a little wacky. Frankly, it does still sound a little "alternative," but it might be great! Neil and Casey really liked it for Bennett. I'm going to visit on Friday. It's still out of our district (we're in Saddleback; it's in Capo), but the chances of getting in are much, much better than at Oxford. I'll have a better idea after Friday.
Monday, December 05, 2011
A stream-of-consciousness update on school
I know I've been neglecting the blog lately. Sorry!
I've been thinking a lot already about next school year (2012-2013), because that's when Lucy will be in kindergarten and I won't be able to put off the where-will-she-be (home too? school?--public, private, charter?) question anymore. One thing I've learned over the past couple of months is that having one child in school (she's doing preschool 2 days a week right now) and another homeschooling makes both situations more difficult in some ways. (This was not expected--I originally thought having Lucy in preschool would be mostly helpful).
One of the benefits of homeschooling is eliminating the morning crazy rush. No matter how much I prep the night before, no matter how early I get up, if we need to be out of the house before 8:00 a.m. there is always rushing, stress, shoe hunting, unbrushed teeth, and carseat fighting (never heard of carseat fighting? It means two things: 1. children who fight their carseats because they're "too tight" and 2. children who fight each other while getting into their carseats). So, with one child in school, you have to deal with the morning crazy rush AND then come home with the homeschooling child to do all the work you could have been doing for the previous hour. Then later, you may be in a "groove" but must interrupt it to go pick up the in-school child.
So I would like, for simplicity and my sanity, to have both children in the same schooling situation--either at home or in school. And, while homeschooling with Nate is going relatively well (his initial excitement has definitely worn off, and he'd rather not do most of it, but he is learning stuff... and I had already decided at the beginning of the year not to be too intense with academics since he is doing fine in that area), I'm a little scared of homeschooling Lucy. She loves drawing and letters and projects and crafts, so the actual schooling part might be easier with her; it's the personality clashes and strong will that have me worried. And, frankly, it's the idea of even more work for me that is also worrying.
But if I "quit" homeschooling after one year, I feel like that makes me look like a failure. I value consistency and perseverance. When I think of our kids' long-term schooling lives, the picture I hate most is "a year here, two years doing this, then another year here, followed by a stint at this other place." I've always looked down on others' actions I perceived to be inconsistent, willy nilly, weak, and undependable. I know the Lord is teaching me grace through this process (and through mothering in general), as I go through these types of decisions and realize my past perceptions were ungracious!
So here are my current options:
Homeschool both kids - I've come to the realization that to be an effective, loving, not-so-stressed-out homeschooling mom, I would need to quit my one-day-per-week/freelance job. This has been nagging at me for several months, and I've been ignoring it for several reasons. I really like this job. I really like my one day a week in the office. And we have genuinely needed the income it has provided. However, I know that if I didn't have that I-have-to-get-this-2-hours-of-work-done stress hanging over my head every single day, I would be so much freer to be more invested in and "present" for homeschooling. This is difficult for me, because this job is a nice boost to my ego and I like it. However, when I look at the big picture and my list of priorities, the job is way down on the list. But day to day, it doesn't get treated that way.
Try to get them into charter school - There is a local public charter school (Oxford) that has been around for a couple of years and focuses on addressing the learning styles of each student. I've heard great things about this school and think Nate would do well there (and Lucy too). To me, this is a much better choice than our regular local public school. The problem is there is a rather large waiting list (I heard 1,400)! I think April or May is when enrollment occurs--and the lottery after that. I guess I could get Nate and Luce into the lottery and let that be the deciding factor! Ug--but I hate to wait that long.
So there you have it: my current thinking on school/homeschool.
I've been thinking a lot already about next school year (2012-2013), because that's when Lucy will be in kindergarten and I won't be able to put off the where-will-she-be (home too? school?--public, private, charter?) question anymore. One thing I've learned over the past couple of months is that having one child in school (she's doing preschool 2 days a week right now) and another homeschooling makes both situations more difficult in some ways. (This was not expected--I originally thought having Lucy in preschool would be mostly helpful).
One of the benefits of homeschooling is eliminating the morning crazy rush. No matter how much I prep the night before, no matter how early I get up, if we need to be out of the house before 8:00 a.m. there is always rushing, stress, shoe hunting, unbrushed teeth, and carseat fighting (never heard of carseat fighting? It means two things: 1. children who fight their carseats because they're "too tight" and 2. children who fight each other while getting into their carseats). So, with one child in school, you have to deal with the morning crazy rush AND then come home with the homeschooling child to do all the work you could have been doing for the previous hour. Then later, you may be in a "groove" but must interrupt it to go pick up the in-school child.
So I would like, for simplicity and my sanity, to have both children in the same schooling situation--either at home or in school. And, while homeschooling with Nate is going relatively well (his initial excitement has definitely worn off, and he'd rather not do most of it, but he is learning stuff... and I had already decided at the beginning of the year not to be too intense with academics since he is doing fine in that area), I'm a little scared of homeschooling Lucy. She loves drawing and letters and projects and crafts, so the actual schooling part might be easier with her; it's the personality clashes and strong will that have me worried. And, frankly, it's the idea of even more work for me that is also worrying.
But if I "quit" homeschooling after one year, I feel like that makes me look like a failure. I value consistency and perseverance. When I think of our kids' long-term schooling lives, the picture I hate most is "a year here, two years doing this, then another year here, followed by a stint at this other place." I've always looked down on others' actions I perceived to be inconsistent, willy nilly, weak, and undependable. I know the Lord is teaching me grace through this process (and through mothering in general), as I go through these types of decisions and realize my past perceptions were ungracious!
So here are my current options:
Homeschool both kids - I've come to the realization that to be an effective, loving, not-so-stressed-out homeschooling mom, I would need to quit my one-day-per-week/freelance job. This has been nagging at me for several months, and I've been ignoring it for several reasons. I really like this job. I really like my one day a week in the office. And we have genuinely needed the income it has provided. However, I know that if I didn't have that I-have-to-get-this-2-hours-of-work-done stress hanging over my head every single day, I would be so much freer to be more invested in and "present" for homeschooling. This is difficult for me, because this job is a nice boost to my ego and I like it. However, when I look at the big picture and my list of priorities, the job is way down on the list. But day to day, it doesn't get treated that way.
Try to get them into charter school - There is a local public charter school (Oxford) that has been around for a couple of years and focuses on addressing the learning styles of each student. I've heard great things about this school and think Nate would do well there (and Lucy too). To me, this is a much better choice than our regular local public school. The problem is there is a rather large waiting list (I heard 1,400)! I think April or May is when enrollment occurs--and the lottery after that. I guess I could get Nate and Luce into the lottery and let that be the deciding factor! Ug--but I hate to wait that long.
So there you have it: my current thinking on school/homeschool.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Homeschooling update: charter school
Over the summer, I tried to get Nate enrolled in a charter school. We would still have been homeschooling, but with the charter school enrollment, I would meet once a month with a teacher and show her the work we were doing. She would sign off on each subject area and attendance. This would mean I wouldn't have to file an affidavit with the state saying we are our own private school in our home, since Nate would technically be enrolled in a school. It would also mean we would be able to use funds through the charter school to purchase curriculum and supplies and enroll in classes (like sports classes, music lessons, or other extracurriculars like this awesome one).
I chose a particular charter (Sky Mountain) because it was the most pro-parent, the most open to whatever style of teaching/learning the parents chose for their child.
But the application process got majorly stalled in July because of Nate's special ed history. There was lots of back and forth, with emails and calls to various people at the charter and also at our school district trying to get the appropriate proof that Nate no longer needs services. The school year start date came and went, and we didn't get enrolled, so I moved on to plain old homeschooling and planned to file the affidavit in October, figuring that, at best, we would have to wait until January for the charter.
Then at the end of September I got an intake interview phone call, then an enrollment meeting call the next day, and then I signed the enrollment paperwork the day after that! Woo hoo! So Nate is enrolled in Sky Mountain.
I really like our Education Specialist (ES), the teacher who meets with us once a month. She has good ideas and is totally on board with how we "do" school around here--some formal (textbooks, worksheets, curricula), some informal ("natural" learning through cooking/making recipes, talking about stuff in our regular day, etc.).
As for using those funds we are allocated, I've sifted through the huge approved vendor list and found several great things. Nate is most excited to do a sport (which he never asked to do until he saw Lucy do gymnastics); what I've found so far either doesn't work with our schedule (on Mondays when I'm working or on Wednesdays during AWANA) or will have to wait until January to start. BUT it's so nice to have all these possibilities opened up to us!
I chose a particular charter (Sky Mountain) because it was the most pro-parent, the most open to whatever style of teaching/learning the parents chose for their child.
But the application process got majorly stalled in July because of Nate's special ed history. There was lots of back and forth, with emails and calls to various people at the charter and also at our school district trying to get the appropriate proof that Nate no longer needs services. The school year start date came and went, and we didn't get enrolled, so I moved on to plain old homeschooling and planned to file the affidavit in October, figuring that, at best, we would have to wait until January for the charter.
Then at the end of September I got an intake interview phone call, then an enrollment meeting call the next day, and then I signed the enrollment paperwork the day after that! Woo hoo! So Nate is enrolled in Sky Mountain.
I really like our Education Specialist (ES), the teacher who meets with us once a month. She has good ideas and is totally on board with how we "do" school around here--some formal (textbooks, worksheets, curricula), some informal ("natural" learning through cooking/making recipes, talking about stuff in our regular day, etc.).
As for using those funds we are allocated, I've sifted through the huge approved vendor list and found several great things. Nate is most excited to do a sport (which he never asked to do until he saw Lucy do gymnastics); what I've found so far either doesn't work with our schedule (on Mondays when I'm working or on Wednesdays during AWANA) or will have to wait until January to start. BUT it's so nice to have all these possibilities opened up to us!
Friday, September 09, 2011
Reflections on the week
This was a great first week of homeschooling. I love the prep/planning but can see that I might get burnt out after a few months, so we'll see what I end up tweaking. Nate loves the work so far--mostly because there is nothing too hard yet. I foresee some problems arising when we get into more difficult work (in math, for example), because he gets very frustrated if he doesn't understand something right away.
The other children have stayed happily occupied (for the most part) during any times I've been working with Nate. It helps that the work goes by so fast! Today, the day I had the most planned (I filled 8 of those workbox boxes), still took less than 2 hours--and that even included his Friday chore as one of the boxes. Today Levi and Lucy got a little impatient during school time, having exhausted the coloring activity I provided and knowing we were going swimming afterward, but overall I am so happy with how everything is going.
The more I think about it, the more thrilled I am with our homeschooling setup!
The other children have stayed happily occupied (for the most part) during any times I've been working with Nate. It helps that the work goes by so fast! Today, the day I had the most planned (I filled 8 of those workbox boxes), still took less than 2 hours--and that even included his Friday chore as one of the boxes. Today Levi and Lucy got a little impatient during school time, having exhausted the coloring activity I provided and knowing we were going swimming afterward, but overall I am so happy with how everything is going.
The more I think about it, the more thrilled I am with our homeschooling setup!
Tuesday, September 06, 2011
One down
Today was our first day of homeschooling, and it went very well. In fact, it went very quickly--maybe too quickly for Nate's liking. I hadn't planned too much since I wanted to ease into the new routine, but even what I had planned didn't take as long as I thought it would. Nate ended up doing two lessons from his math book, the first lesson in the English/grammar book, read one chapter from the fiction book he's reading, and completed one worksheet I created on vowels and consonants. Tomorrow I'm also adding a couple of things from other subjects (we are going to make a flower/leaf press for science; begin talking about liberty and freedom before doing some U.S. history; and start learning about the instrument groups in the orchestra for music). Yay for an easy start!
Monday, August 22, 2011
In the works
I posted on the homeschooling blog about the workbox system I set up for homeschooling. I'm excited about it.
Now I'm still trying to decide when to have our official "start." The traditional day-after-Labor-Day start would be September 6. Or I could wait until the following week, when Lucy's Tuesday-Thursday preschool, AWANA, and CBS all start. That will be a crazy adjustment week either way!
In other news, Mama and Daddy are coming this week! Yay! We're planning a day trip down to San Diego, including a train ride that I'm sure the kids will love.
Now I'm still trying to decide when to have our official "start." The traditional day-after-Labor-Day start would be September 6. Or I could wait until the following week, when Lucy's Tuesday-Thursday preschool, AWANA, and CBS all start. That will be a crazy adjustment week either way!
In other news, Mama and Daddy are coming this week! Yay! We're planning a day trip down to San Diego, including a train ride that I'm sure the kids will love.
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