Tomorrow is the Twins last day of 1st grade. They were in separate classes this past year but next year they will be in the same classroom for 2nd grade. Matthew will be staying with his teacher this year and Jonathan will be joining him there. For those of you who don't remember, Matthew was put in with the second graders this year to keep them in separate classes. He was still considered first grade though. The third grade class is in the lower level of the school and you HAVE to be in 3rd grade in order to have a class down there,so that is why they will be together. I am fine with it and will be curious to see how they do after 5 years of being apart at school. Matthew will be in the regular class for more than 50% of his day next year which is moving him ever closer to mainstream. Jonathan is still at about 25%. They both did great this year and I am very proud of all that they have done.
As for Luke, he finished preschool this year and will be moving to pre-k. I don't really see much difference in the two other than the name. I do think they work a little bit more with letters and such but he already knows these things. To me, Luke is in school simply to be around kids who do not have Autism and to give me a little break. I don't think he learned anything last year that he didn't already know except for a few Bible stories which is always good. Sometimes he is too smart for his own good.
I am 2 weeks and 2 days away from my ultrasound and am getting a little anxious to see this little one again. I am beginning to feel a little movement going on in there and that is just another reminder of how real this is. I recently read a blog of one of my friend's sister. She is due about 4 weeks before me with her first child. Her posts are so beautiful and such a reminder to me that I really need to enjoy these next few months and try to remember everything. It was also a good reminder of the wonderful things to come with a new baby. I had been tending to think of all the bad things like sleepless nights, all the crying, etc. Her blog has been such a blessing to me and a wonderful reminder of what it was like that first time around.
Last but not least, even though we don't know what we are having yet, I think we may actually have both names picked out. Which means no fighting and stressing over what to name a fourth boy. Some of you may know the girls name already but I will wait to share names when we find out. Just to give some of you a hint ( a very select few). I am hoping that if it is a boy I will have Heidi Jo's blessing to name my son what Eric and I have agreed on. Sorry for those of you who don't know Heidi Jo. You will just have to wait 2 weeks.
Showing posts with label School. Show all posts
Showing posts with label School. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Friday, April 18, 2008
Decisions, Decisions.
We have had a few decisions to make around here recently regarding all the boys' schooling next year.
About 2 weeks ago Matthew's teacher called me wanting to know if I still wanted to keep the boys at separate schools next year. She works very closely with the head of the autistic programs for Mesa Public Schools. At the time I still wasn't 100% sure about keeping them separated but they do a lot better when they aren't together for long periods of time. So I told her to keep them at separate schools. For the past 2 weeks I have been debating that decision in my mind and out loud with Eric. He knows they do well apart but also knows how confusing it is to have the 2 of them at separate schools. He usually just goes along with what I feel is best for them. Earlier this week I almost called to see if I could change my mind but then decided against it.
Well, this morning Matthew's teacher called me again. She said they had a new situation come up with some of the programs and that there is now a way that the boys can both go to the same school and be in separate classes. At Matthew's school they have a separate autistic first grade and then second and third are together and fourth, fifth and sixth are together. Starting next year they will now have a separate second grade. She suggested putting Matthew in the second grade class and bringing Jonathan into the first grade class. I really think this will work out so well.
To answer your questions about Matthew being in the second grade class. No, he is not skipping a grade. Technically he will be in the second grade class but still considered a first grader. His teacher feels he is more at the level of the kids in that program and will fit in really well. I think he will do well too. He does have that early October birthday so he won't be much younger than the others and he is a pretty tall boy so he won't be the small kid. I am just so happy that this opportunity came along it is such and answer to prayer.
Jonathan might take a little while to get used to a new school but I really feel this will benefit him as well. In his class now there are a couple of kids who are for the most part non-verbal and highly aggressive. Jonathan has been bringing home some of their behavior and I really wasn't looking forward to him being with these kids again. I hope that doesn't sound mean. Jonathan's school does not offer a first grade program but instead has first, second and third all together and I was not really looking forward to that as well.
All in all, I really think this will be so nice. They can ride the same bus and Jonathan won't have to get picked up at 6:55, which means I get an extra 20 minutes to stay in bed. Which is always nice.
We also decided to put Luke in a preschool program next year. He will be attending a preschool at my parents church. He will go 2 days a week for 3 hours each day. I really feel that Luke needs this. 1. He is so smart and really needs to learn how to use his knowledge. 2. He needs to be around "normal" kids and make some friends. He loves his brothers dearly but he really loves the interaction he gets with other kids. I really think he will do well. I am so very excited to see what the Fall will bring to our family and I feel such a peace about all the decisions that have been made this week.
About 2 weeks ago Matthew's teacher called me wanting to know if I still wanted to keep the boys at separate schools next year. She works very closely with the head of the autistic programs for Mesa Public Schools. At the time I still wasn't 100% sure about keeping them separated but they do a lot better when they aren't together for long periods of time. So I told her to keep them at separate schools. For the past 2 weeks I have been debating that decision in my mind and out loud with Eric. He knows they do well apart but also knows how confusing it is to have the 2 of them at separate schools. He usually just goes along with what I feel is best for them. Earlier this week I almost called to see if I could change my mind but then decided against it.
Well, this morning Matthew's teacher called me again. She said they had a new situation come up with some of the programs and that there is now a way that the boys can both go to the same school and be in separate classes. At Matthew's school they have a separate autistic first grade and then second and third are together and fourth, fifth and sixth are together. Starting next year they will now have a separate second grade. She suggested putting Matthew in the second grade class and bringing Jonathan into the first grade class. I really think this will work out so well.
To answer your questions about Matthew being in the second grade class. No, he is not skipping a grade. Technically he will be in the second grade class but still considered a first grader. His teacher feels he is more at the level of the kids in that program and will fit in really well. I think he will do well too. He does have that early October birthday so he won't be much younger than the others and he is a pretty tall boy so he won't be the small kid. I am just so happy that this opportunity came along it is such and answer to prayer.
Jonathan might take a little while to get used to a new school but I really feel this will benefit him as well. In his class now there are a couple of kids who are for the most part non-verbal and highly aggressive. Jonathan has been bringing home some of their behavior and I really wasn't looking forward to him being with these kids again. I hope that doesn't sound mean. Jonathan's school does not offer a first grade program but instead has first, second and third all together and I was not really looking forward to that as well.
All in all, I really think this will be so nice. They can ride the same bus and Jonathan won't have to get picked up at 6:55, which means I get an extra 20 minutes to stay in bed. Which is always nice.
We also decided to put Luke in a preschool program next year. He will be attending a preschool at my parents church. He will go 2 days a week for 3 hours each day. I really feel that Luke needs this. 1. He is so smart and really needs to learn how to use his knowledge. 2. He needs to be around "normal" kids and make some friends. He loves his brothers dearly but he really loves the interaction he gets with other kids. I really think he will do well. I am so very excited to see what the Fall will bring to our family and I feel such a peace about all the decisions that have been made this week.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Matthew's First Field Trip
Today I joined Matthew on his very first field trip. All the kindergartners at his school went to visit a farm. I got to ride on the bus with him and he really thought that was funny.
Our first stop on the farm was to feed some of the animals. At first Matthew wanted no part of it and then he surprised me by holding out his hand for some goat food. He then got to feed a piece of carrot to a horse and then pet some bunnies.
The other highlight of the day was our last activity of going on a hayride to see all the cows. We were at a dairy farm so there were lots of cows. Matthew and I are both allergic to hay so we are feeling pretty miserable tonight.
All in all it was a lot of fun and it was good to see that he is not so different from "typical" kindergartners. I was also so proud of him for feeding the animals. Something I am not sure I would have done even today.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
The Twins' School Reports
This week we had parent teacher conferences at the boys' schools and I just wanted to write down some of the highlights.
Jonathan's meeting was on Monday and I went into the meeting not really know what to expect because Jonathan has been bringing home some bad behaviors that he has learned from another boy in his class who has a more severe case of autism. I was ready to pull him from the class but he is really doing a great job accademically and does really love his teacher and school. So here is his report.
1. Jonathan has mastered his math goal on his IEP which was adding 2 numbers with sums up to 20. He also no longer needs manipulatives to help him. He will now be starting subtraction. He can also count up to and past 100.
2. He is also almost finished with the first grade spelling words and they will be moving him on to second grade words (remember he is in kindergarten).
3. He is reading short stories and has actually began to answer comprehension questions about the stories they have him read. He has a pretty good handle on the phonetics too.
4. His writing has greatly improved and writes both in upper and lower case and stays in the lines.
Come Spring we will be meeting again to rewrite his IEP and give him new goals for first grade.
Matthew is also doing very well in school but he does not like to apply himself to his work. He would rather play and go outside. So much of his work is done in a hurry so he can do these other things.
1. Matthew is still working on his addition and does very well. He is still using manipulatives to help him.
2. He is doing really well with his spelling words and is working on first grade words lists as well.
3. His reading is wonderful and he astounds us everyday when he picks up books that we know he doesn't know and reads them to his little brother. He started going to the regular ed kindergarten class for a portion of the day and impressed that teacher with his reading skills. She goes to out church so I will be anxious to hear what she has to say about it on Sunday.
4. Matthew's writing is a little more sloppy than his brother but it is still good for kindergarten.
All in all both boys are doing great. Of course they still struggle with all social aspects of school but they are working on those as well.
On another note: They have begun memorizing scriptures for their Ranger Kids class on Sunday nights. It is so neat to hear them saying Bible verses complete with the Bible verse reference. They also both say the Pledge of Allegiance, the Pledge to the Christian Flag, The Bible Pledge and The Royal Ranger Pledge. All of this makes their Daddy very happy.
Of course Luke is not in school but he is learning a lot of things too. He knows all of his letters, upper and lower case, by site even mixed up. He also knows all the sounds they make and on a good day he can tell me how to spell his name. He also recognizes his name and his brothers names. He knows all his shapes including Octogon, pentagon, trapazoid, etc. He know all his colors. He can count to 20 and recognizes most of the numbers up to 20. He has really amazed me with all he has learned from his brothers. It is so neat to see him playing games on the computer and leapster and getting the answers right.
I will post another update at the end of the school year.
Jonathan's meeting was on Monday and I went into the meeting not really know what to expect because Jonathan has been bringing home some bad behaviors that he has learned from another boy in his class who has a more severe case of autism. I was ready to pull him from the class but he is really doing a great job accademically and does really love his teacher and school. So here is his report.
1. Jonathan has mastered his math goal on his IEP which was adding 2 numbers with sums up to 20. He also no longer needs manipulatives to help him. He will now be starting subtraction. He can also count up to and past 100.
2. He is also almost finished with the first grade spelling words and they will be moving him on to second grade words (remember he is in kindergarten).
3. He is reading short stories and has actually began to answer comprehension questions about the stories they have him read. He has a pretty good handle on the phonetics too.
4. His writing has greatly improved and writes both in upper and lower case and stays in the lines.
Come Spring we will be meeting again to rewrite his IEP and give him new goals for first grade.
Matthew is also doing very well in school but he does not like to apply himself to his work. He would rather play and go outside. So much of his work is done in a hurry so he can do these other things.
1. Matthew is still working on his addition and does very well. He is still using manipulatives to help him.
2. He is doing really well with his spelling words and is working on first grade words lists as well.
3. His reading is wonderful and he astounds us everyday when he picks up books that we know he doesn't know and reads them to his little brother. He started going to the regular ed kindergarten class for a portion of the day and impressed that teacher with his reading skills. She goes to out church so I will be anxious to hear what she has to say about it on Sunday.
4. Matthew's writing is a little more sloppy than his brother but it is still good for kindergarten.
All in all both boys are doing great. Of course they still struggle with all social aspects of school but they are working on those as well.
On another note: They have begun memorizing scriptures for their Ranger Kids class on Sunday nights. It is so neat to hear them saying Bible verses complete with the Bible verse reference. They also both say the Pledge of Allegiance, the Pledge to the Christian Flag, The Bible Pledge and The Royal Ranger Pledge. All of this makes their Daddy very happy.
Of course Luke is not in school but he is learning a lot of things too. He knows all of his letters, upper and lower case, by site even mixed up. He also knows all the sounds they make and on a good day he can tell me how to spell his name. He also recognizes his name and his brothers names. He knows all his shapes including Octogon, pentagon, trapazoid, etc. He know all his colors. He can count to 20 and recognizes most of the numbers up to 20. He has really amazed me with all he has learned from his brothers. It is so neat to see him playing games on the computer and leapster and getting the answers right.
I will post another update at the end of the school year.
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