1st Piano class

Well, the great plans of today didn't follow.

We were up on time, Cairn and Andrew got to work right after breakfast.  Cairn did a fantastic job of doing her assessments.  She had to do a test for reading and math to determine her level at the beginning of the year and then she will test again at the end of the year to show growth.  I didn't sit next to her because I tend to give non-verbal (and sometimes verbal) cues that her answer is wrong and since I want an accurate picture I left the room.  After her testing, I had to do an online class with Cairn's new teacher this year.  A third waste of my time class.  I learned exactly 2 things in 45 minutes, they could have told me those things in an email.  Cairn was supposed to stay for the last 15 minutes and get to know her teacher but some of the other kids were messing around on the "board" so we left and she worked on her unit math test.  This test was on measurement and she passed.

Andrew worked on some coloring and then he went outside to help Dad in the garage.

Skylar woke up at 9:15, she ate some breakfast and then got to work on her schoolwork.

We had lunch then ran a couple errands before Andrew's first piano class.  Yep, Andrew started the same piano class that Cairn and Skylar have done too.  Cairn was 5 1/2 when she started, Skylar was 4 and Andrew is 3 1/2 (almost).  He is so ready for this class.  Dad came too because Andrew asked him to come to his first class.  At the beginning of the class, the teacher was doing a lot of talking and Andrew wasn't doing very well being quiet and staying on task.  Dad asked, "are you sure he is ready?"

I said, "yes."

Then the student part of the class started and Andrew was ready to go.  He knew the songs to sing, he answered all the questions, he remembered the names of notes and musical instruments and he knew his numbers. Andrew did a fantastic job and I don't think anyone knows that he is only 3.

After class, we quickly drove to Castle Rock because the girls and I had volunteer project to do for Girl Scouts.  We were packing backpacks of donated school supplies for needy kids.  I pulled into the parking lot and we were putting on our vests when another mom called me who started the project at 2 and said they were finished.  They only had 50 backpacks to do and with 8 of them they got it done quickly.  I wasn't happy but there was nothing else to do but go home and go swimming.

N and C had stopped by earlier in the day to see if the kids could play and I said no because we were going to be so busy in the afternoon.  We were home much much earlier so I got everyone to the pool for 2 hours. It was a great day for a swim.

Home for dinner and then back outside for more running around time.  We are still having a problem with one of the kids on the block.  He just keeps saying mean things to my three and now even N.  I don't really know what to do anymore except keep the kids away from him.  I will think it over some more.

Andrew wasn't hungry at dinner so after we came in from outside he decided to eat his dinner at the kitchen counter.  He pulled out his piece of bread and stated, "It looks like the letter D."  I turned around and looked.  It sure does!!

Hike today

or maybe not.

For whatever reason, today was not a good day.  We were slow to get on school, I just felt like I was hounding everyone to get to work.  Finally, Cairn got on task and worked pretty hard.  Skylar and Andrew wouldn't stay on task for anything.

I was trying to pack the backpacks for the hike and keep the kids on task.  Maybe that was the problem.  Finally, at 10:45 I had had enough.  I called my friend and asked if she could take Cairn on the hike while I stayed at home with Skylar and Andrew.  She was fine with that but the littles were not.  I got everyone into the car crying and screaming.  I felt like joining in.

We dropped off Cairn and before we could get turned around, Andrew was asleep - it was only 11:40 AM.  I got everyone home and put Andrew into bed and Skylar got to work on putting energy back into me by doing chores.  She washed all the kitchen cabinets, cleaned the microwave, dusted the TV, wiped down the counters in the red bathroom, washed the bathroom cabinets in the red bathroom and the master bath, and wiped down the frig.  Then she got hungry so I let her eat.

Andrew woke up at 1:20, ate and got to work on his chores and Skylar finished up hers.  They folded towels, picked up leaves and trash, and Skylar wiped down the floor while I vacuumed.  Cairn returned at 3:30, immediately took a bath while the littles went outside to play in the sunshine.  I started dinner.

Cairn had a great time on her hike.  My friend sent a couple pictures.

Aunt Trish came over for dinner since we were all going to check out her possible new house.  We ate a nice dinner of spaghetti mac and carrots and then went outside to ride bikes until Dad got home.  All of a sudden Andrew lost it while we were getting everyone in the car.  So I took out of the car and we went inside while everyone else left.   It took him about 45 minutes to calm down, he ate and then he did some more chores - emptied trash, and made Skylar's bed with a new blanket.

Dad came home with the girls so we all went outside to ride bikes in the cul-de-sac with the neighbors.  Everyone wanted me to take them to the park but it was already 7:45 when they got home.

Andrew was riding his bike backwards down the driveway when he crashed, which caused him to cut open his head and create a large goose egg on the back of his head.  I was a little worried when I picked him up and there was blood on the street.  It stopped very quickly and it was just a little road rash.  Another head banger though.  The reason he didn't have his helmet on was because he was only riding his little bike and I have never had him wear it on that one.  I do now!!

I have figured out through trial and error and observation that Andrew does a much better job of eating when he eats all alone.  He gets right down to business and shovels it in.  He seems to get too distracted with everyone around to stay on task to eat.  I will have to figure out how to help him learn to eat with distractions.  Luckily, I have many years to work with him (since he is only 3).

I need to kick myself sometimes

I can't believe how frustrated I get with the kids some days and then when I sit down to figure out why I ALWAYS come back to that I am trying to teach 3 very Visual Spatial learners.  I am a visual learner/teacher but not spatial.  I have to do things in order and sequentially - these 3 don't learn or think that way.

Arghhh....I need a schedule, a routine.  The kids do well with one but they need a visual with pictures, I just need my check off list.

In math, I need a list of rules and procedures to follow, the kids need manipulatives and to see the whole picture first.  In spelling, Cairn (who is the only one doing spelling really) needs time to draw a picture of her word.  I should just throw out her spelling notebook and have her do a few words each day and then by the end of the week she will know them all.  Skylar is doing well with sounding out words, she has a much better grasp of the sounds and word play then Cairn does.  Andrew needs a picture to go with his letters - he remembers them better when he has that visual.

In math, Cairn and I have been playing Speed (a game created by our friends who moved to Germany)  I knew she was doing really well learning her facts and she asks to play many times a day but tonight it hit me why she likes it so much and why it is working.  It is visual!!!

See on the card how the numbers go around the card and you can see the skip counting.  She "sees" that picture whenever I ask her a math fact question,  Thanks Julie!!

I think I will make myself a sign or signs to hang in the classroom and the study that reminds me that I have visual-spatial learners.  I will put it in words so it doesn't distract them :)  Then I will use this worksheet to help me do lesson plans.

I will survive!  I will survive!