What's Up?
Lots of stuff!
Because I want to be able to sit down at a moment's notice, the reading stuff (Barton System) stays out. While it might be considered a step back for Mark and James, I am using this with them too. They have many "dyslexia moments" in their lives, so I am hoping this gives them a step up. They are nowhere near as severe as their older brother, but I am so impressed with the system that I want to use it with all three boys. Mark likes it- he feels that it is able to master each concept more than in the other program (also one that I love) we were using. James is amazed that he no longer reverses his "b" and "d".
About the tickets (shown top left)- The boys would do their reading program anyway, but it is summer, so I thought some incentive would be nice. Each time a section of the lesson is completed, a ticket is awarded. Prizes can be purchased when they earn the "cost" of an item. Really, there is no attitude problem. I just wanted to make this a little less of drudge. And the boys seem to enjoy it.
New tortoise digs! Actually, it is a big playpen for the tortoises. It is becoming less practical for the boys to sit out with them for "playtime"- the tortoises are getting bigger, and I don't want to keep them in their little box all day. This allows them to have a nice long outdoor time. The boys had a great time helping their dad build it.
More school stuff- I am actually tutoring the sweetest young man in math. He is just a joy. Sadly, he doesn't really want to play with me. He loves playing with my boys and visiting our mini zoo! However, we have managed to make some headway.
A few of our favorite activities-
Number bonds with this page from Teachers Pay Teachers (top left). We started using buttons and have moved to post-it notes. Post-its are nice because if he is stumped, I can fill in one of the circles to get him started, and we can reuse the same sheet week after week.
We also play number ladder (the one shown is set to add up to no higher than 10) from the Peggy Kaye's Math Games book. Each player rolls the numbered (rather than dots) die and adds that number to the one on the ladder and moves that many spaces.
By far the favorite activity is "hide the buttons". We choose a number. I then hide a certain portion of that number under the cup while my student hides his eyes. When he opens them, I remind him that there are ___ number of buttons. I ask how many he sees, and then how many are under the cup. He then checks his answer by lifting the cup. In return, he likes to hide the buttons for me.
Beach days!! Yes, we have made it over there a few times. My goal is to make it many more!!
More uncle time.
Ready to read.
Because I want to be able to sit down at a moment's notice, the reading stuff (Barton System) stays out. While it might be considered a step back for Mark and James, I am using this with them too. They have many "dyslexia moments" in their lives, so I am hoping this gives them a step up. They are nowhere near as severe as their older brother, but I am so impressed with the system that I want to use it with all three boys. Mark likes it- he feels that it is able to master each concept more than in the other program (also one that I love) we were using. James is amazed that he no longer reverses his "b" and "d".
About the tickets (shown top left)- The boys would do their reading program anyway, but it is summer, so I thought some incentive would be nice. Each time a section of the lesson is completed, a ticket is awarded. Prizes can be purchased when they earn the "cost" of an item. Really, there is no attitude problem. I just wanted to make this a little less of drudge. And the boys seem to enjoy it.
A few of our favorite activities-
Number bonds with this page from Teachers Pay Teachers (top left). We started using buttons and have moved to post-it notes. Post-its are nice because if he is stumped, I can fill in one of the circles to get him started, and we can reuse the same sheet week after week.
We also play number ladder (the one shown is set to add up to no higher than 10) from the Peggy Kaye's Math Games book. Each player rolls the numbered (rather than dots) die and adds that number to the one on the ladder and moves that many spaces.
By far the favorite activity is "hide the buttons". We choose a number. I then hide a certain portion of that number under the cup while my student hides his eyes. When he opens them, I remind him that there are ___ number of buttons. I ask how many he sees, and then how many are under the cup. He then checks his answer by lifting the cup. In return, he likes to hide the buttons for me.
Each Friday this summer, we visit our local petting zoo while watching two of my grandchildren. Sadly, I did not take pictures today, but sometimes that makes for the best memories any way. These pictures are from two weeks ago. James and Mark love this time to be "big uncles" and take care of the kids. They often overdo their care-taking to point of smothering, but we are finding a balance. You can't fault them for just loving these little guys to pieces. On the trip pictured Grandpa (hubby) joined us as it was our vacation week.
Mark can cook! Someday this kid is going to have his own cooking show and you can say that "I knew him when"!
Saw the movie "Brave". Not bad, really. Hubby is usually the movie goer in the family when it comes to taking the kids, but I enjoyed this one. Well, and the popcorn.
And, for the really big news...
The lovely lady in this photo is Mary. She is BFF with my daughter, Erin. Mary agreed to be Erin's model for a "through the decades" fashion show held at Erin's school. This is no small thing as there are "rehearsal" meetings as well as most of a day for prep + the show + going up on stage in front of a whole lot of people.
I guess that is why she is Erin's best friend!! She is just that nice.
If you can't tell, Erin picked the twenties out of the hat, so that was her inspiration.
And...
drumroll please...
Erin was thrilled to win for the best hair category!!
Erin, on the night of the show, with her number 1 fans.
If you can't tell from the collage overkill, PicMonkey is my new best friend!
What a wonderful summer you are having! Totally copying the button game - my kids will LOVE that. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteGreat stuff here!! Congrats to Erin! And I LOVE those tortoises!
ReplyDeleteI am off to check out that math resource from TpT. That sounds like something that would go so well with our Math Enhancement Programme lessons.
Love collage overkill!! Forgot about picmonkey. Jen Dunlap told me about it and I forgot what the name was until you mentioned it!
ReplyDeleteTell Erin - CONGRATULATIONS! The hairdo is absolutely stunning. Makes me wish that we had that 20's style these days. Although, I would need my own personal Erin each morning :)