Wednesday, August 31, 2011

School Days

School is definitely up and running.  Not too much homework for Madi yet.  They're still just learning about how to use the science lab and will have to take a test on it before being allowed to use it.  They're getting some journal writing prep ready.  She had to bring something flat that can lay in her journal that represents something.  So she drew a picture of Facetime and will be using it to write about living here and chatting with you guys across the ocean.  Or something like that.

She's reading like crazy and it's been no problem filling out her reading log in her planner.  We're collecting box tops for her to help her win the box top champion for the six weeks.  So Kathryn, Poppi, Grammy - save your box tops for us and I'll get them from you in a few weeks :)  There is a contest for them every six weeks.  So far we have almost 100!

Madi seems to really be liking school.  Especially gym and art.  Made a really cool kaleidoscope name thing in art.  Haven't gotten it back yet, but I'll post a pic once we have it.  In gym they played a gamed called Mission Impossible where the whole team has to get across the gym without touching the floor and using certain items that are set aside for their team.  Each team has the same items.  The first team to get all their kids across wins!

I'm prepping the students for choir auditions and all is going great there.  Madi and a lot of her friends are really excited to do it.  Should be fun!

She seems to really like Mrs. Campbell.  And Carol is working hard with her on everything.  She's the perfect teacher for her - loving, but firm.  Consistent and demanding, but compassionate too.  So thankful for her.

I had talked to Carol and Jeri, the leap teacher, about letting me know their thoughts as to whether Madi should test for LEAP or not.  I told them that I respected their opinions and if they noticed things (Carol mostly) that would signal that she should be tested, to let me know.  Carol said that Madi seems to be getting everything well and has great ideas and that from things I had shared, she wanted to go ahead and get her tested for LEAP (the Gifted and Talented Program).  I filled out the paperwork and now we just have to wait until we get her test date to see how that goes.  Thankfully she's already in the LEAP class for fourth grade.  Not everyone in her class is in it, but the kids who are in LEAP are also in her class so that pulling them out for their section is easier - rather than pulling them out of all of the classes.  Less confusion for the teachers and easier on planning.

I think she's gone out to recess maybe twice because it's just been too hot.  We had started making her lunches last week, but started adding up the cost and she was getting tired of sandwiches so now we're just purchasing her lunches through the school.  They are relatively healthy thanks to a great new menu and a new catering service.  $2 every day and she gets a main meal (can choose from 3 different ones) plus 3 sides.  Sides are veggies, fruit, and healthy options only.  No snacks or candy are available so kids don't have that option.  Ice cream is on Fridays, but we're not purchasing that.  She also brings a snack for in the morning as she doesn't have lunch until 12:30pm.

She's gone into the library for writing time.  She also got to have Ed, the counselor, come into class today.  She talked with them about distractions and focusing on what they are doing.  Being aware of what they are doing (behaviors they are showing, whistling, etc...) and how it affects others.  This is the video that she had them watch from YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSQJP40PcGI

Can't think of anything else at the moment....  been a couple of days, but they're kind of a blur.

No comments:

Post a Comment