I think pretty good. He worked hard at math and reading. We did some science with his new snap on circuits electrical stuff. We tried to figure out what to do for physical education-I had to keep explaining that just going to the store was NOT going to help our health. For music, he didn't want to sing. He doesn't play an instrument--but- we did talk about clefs and what the names of the notes are. He decided to make an instument himself with a plastic sour cream canister and some broken silly bands. Kimball is definitely creative! I've really been focusing on reading, math and geography. We do read a little history-he enjoys greek and roman history (you know the percy jackson series stuff and medusa's head getting cut off).
This week I have gotten more into the planning since I have a better idea of what I want to teach. So math is more measuring, more times tables. Reading is more about dogs, Roman history (it's in what a third grader needs to know), and whatever else Kimball wants me to read to him. I did something with writing the other day too that I thought was a brilliant idea-only cause I thought of it! We are supposed to be writing stories each week--but since Kimball is writing challenged (dyslexia and dysgraphia--I don't what else to call his atrocious handwriting)-I had him dictate a story to me while I typed it as fast as I could. There were lots of "and thens" and "like" but overall it was successful. This week we are going to take that story apart and make it better. I'm excited about that. (Not sure how Kimball feels about doing more work though.) I have found that I enjoy working with Kimball daily--he likes to learn. He just wants it to be easy--sorry kid, can't always do that. We start at about 9am and go until we are done-which is only about 3 hours. Sometimes four if we have lots to cover. But then the next day isn't too long. I'm also not trying to stress myself out by planning weeks in advance. I'm thinking this is going to be like assigning chores-I do THAT monthly so I don't have to remember too much. I think we are going to be doing units the same way. Shawn is worried about how little time we are spending--it's not the whole entire school time like he thinks it should be. But we are covering what they are..in about half the time. One on one. He'll come around when he sees Kimball progressing.
With the reading though--I'm not sure how effective my teaching is. There are lots of "gaps" he has in regards to syllables, sounds, and breaking down words he doesn't know. I'm looking around for a good reading program for dyslexics...and I think I have found one. Thanks for cluing me into the Barton Reading system, Lori. I've researched this program online-and it has potential. Expense is a con though. But if this turns out to be a workable program for Kimball then I'm sure we will be able to rearrange monetary things to be able to purchse it. (Ie. who needs food, or clothes?)(That was a joke!)
So onto week 2--it's going to be busy busy. But I'm excited. Keep you posted on how he's doing!
PPS. The other boys are doing well. Cameron has finished his science project of shooting off rockets. There are a few pictures that still have to be put onto his poster board.
And the pinewood derby is coming up again--so he is working on his car. Kimball is also excited about his first race too. We did have to tell him that just because Cameron won last year doesn't mean that Kimball will win this year. Then a small discussion on how to be a good loser or winner followed--none of which (I'm sure) sank in. Trenton is back on track and has a magnet that has appeared in him drawing him to his friends house every day.
I have repeatedly told him to where to meet me so I can pick him up only to have it fall on deaf ears. And the other day-I went looking for dear big Trenton. I found him with his friend. I told him he was grounded for life and was jeopardizing his education at school because if he didn't obey then I was going to stop sending him to school (ok, THAT isn't going to happen but it sure sounded good). Later that night, I got a call from the mother of Trent's friend informing me that Trent was in a fight at school. Apparently some bigger kids were picking on Trent's friend, and Trent went to bat for his friend, kicking the older kids (ironically who were Trent's size). He had told me before a few months ago-that he got into a fight because someone was being mean to his friends. This mother was very grateful for Trent--because her son was being pinned to the ground getting kicked. (Sure makes you want to send your kids to school huh?)Without Trent-there was no telling how long it would have gone on. Trent, like the typical boy, mentioned nothing of what had happened to me. I'm grateful that Trent has a kind heart and is a bigger boy. Sam is getting used to having school at home daily. He is missing the one on one attention he used to get from me-and is acting up just to prove it. We still go exercise once a week (mon-when I teach bootcamp) so he can run around with other kids his age. Sam does enjoy the books I read to Kimball, and when Kimball reads to me...he sure likes to listen in.
Sam is also in my primary class--which makes uhm, the class fun. I'm working on finding time to spend with Sam-doing things he likes to do (he enjoys playing Jenga and telling me stories about some guy who beat up some other guy) so that he doesn't feel left out. It's not so easy to let laundry go or have the kitchen stay dirty a little longer. After school, I just want to get stuff done. So while we are working on learning life lessons, things are ok with us. So far.
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