My Oldest Dude is now a Boy Scout. He "Crossed Over" into Boy Scouts last month. We chose a troop that had had special needs boys (they currently have a boy with Aspberger's and another who has focusing issues). Oldest attended his second Boy Scout meeting and there is a funny story attached to it.
Last night, Oldest had his second meeting with the boy scouts. The Hub was a little concerned after the first one (he said stuff about the older boys were popular....boy scouts popular?). Anyway, they had a fun night last night. They were learning about first aid and how to move someone if they are injured. Somehow, Oldest was volunteered to be the injured boy. He got to be carried on a stretcher by four boys (as they were moving him, he shouted, "Go to the hospital!"). Then, he was carried by one boy (so dragged along on the stretcher). He thought that was really funny. The boys 'raced' to see who could go the fastest.
One thing that was interesting....there's been a lot of 'talk' since last week's "Parenthood" (an NBC show) about how to tell your child who has autism, that, they have autism. In the show (I only watched last week's episode, so I don't know much else about the characters), the elementary school boy finds out accidently that he has Aspberger's and the parents figure out how to tell him and explain it to him. There is a boy in the troop who has Aspberger's. Somehow, The Hub got talking to him (and The Hub explained, "My Oldest son has autism, etc"....the boy said to The Hub, "I have Aspberger's and it is autism")....while they were outside doing the races, the boy was explaining to The Hub, "there are x number of fire sirens" and all of the other noises that were outside (he was evidently having a tough time focusing). Anyway, it was interesting that the boy knew all about his Aspberger's and then, could verbalize what it is, etc. As you know, we've never made a secret of Oldest's autism or anything. Oldest, for sure, knows he's different and on some level knows he has autism, but whether or not he knows "this is how it manifests in him" is probably a higher order of thinking.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Pinewood Derby!
Yes, it is the last weekend in January, which in our house means it is "Cub Scouts" Pinewood Derby time.
This year, Oldest decorated his car with Pascal, the chameleon from the movie, "Tangled". He is obsessed with "Tangled" and Rapunzel. So, he decided to put Pascal in the driver's seat.
Middle Dude decorated his car with Phineas and Ferb. Here's where it gets confusing. See Youngest's Phineas and Ferb ornament fell off of the tree. Phineas was decaptiated. We tried, without luck using several glues, to replace Phineas' head. So, I ordered another one for Youngest. Meanwhile, Middle Guy was having to come up with something to decorate his pinewood derby car. The Hub was able to break (seriously) in two pieces the ornament, keeping Phineas and Ferb intact to use on Middle Dude's car. Phineas and Ferb were able to 'sit' (seriously) in the car.
Everyone loved the Phineas and Ferb car. All of the kids loved watching Phineas and Ferb go down the track. When they were talking about "Most Humorous", all of the kids went "Phineas!".
This year, Oldest decorated his car with Pascal, the chameleon from the movie, "Tangled". He is obsessed with "Tangled" and Rapunzel. So, he decided to put Pascal in the driver's seat.
Middle Dude decorated his car with Phineas and Ferb. Here's where it gets confusing. See Youngest's Phineas and Ferb ornament fell off of the tree. Phineas was decaptiated. We tried, without luck using several glues, to replace Phineas' head. So, I ordered another one for Youngest. Meanwhile, Middle Guy was having to come up with something to decorate his pinewood derby car. The Hub was able to break (seriously) in two pieces the ornament, keeping Phineas and Ferb intact to use on Middle Dude's car. Phineas and Ferb were able to 'sit' (seriously) in the car.
Everyone loved the Phineas and Ferb car. All of the kids loved watching Phineas and Ferb go down the track. When they were talking about "Most Humorous", all of the kids went "Phineas!".
Friday, December 17, 2010
Christmas Cheer and Presentation Kudos
First of all, today was Oldest's big explorer presentation. He had to make a poster and give an oral presentation on his explorer, Sir Thomas Cavendish. Yesterday, he gave a practice presentation to the other special needs kids and today, he gave it to the "general education" kids. Totally a big deal, not just for him, but it also validates to his teachers that "yes" he can do the work of the typical kids. They worked really hard with him to help him with the poster and the presentation. I ran into his para pro and she said that she couldn't sleep last night she was so nervous. She said he did a great job and even answered three questions (what was the name of the ship he sailed, when was he born and one other). His general education teacher was so proud of him and said he spoke clearly and did a great job! Whoot!
Today was also Youngest's Santa's Workshop party. Typically, the kindergarteners do a "Christmas in Mexico", but due to time constraints (the Wednesday schedule and snow before Thanksgiving), they came up with the "Santa Workshop" theme.
He had six stations. He made a candy cane mouse. He played 'build a tree' math dice partner game (which I was assigned to monitor). He had a color word reading mini book patterned after "Brown Bear". He made a Santa apple. He played Bingo. He played another math dice game.
Again, I am tired after 'teaching' for a morning. What is wrong with me? I used to teach full days and be full of energy!
Today was also Youngest's Santa's Workshop party. Typically, the kindergarteners do a "Christmas in Mexico", but due to time constraints (the Wednesday schedule and snow before Thanksgiving), they came up with the "Santa Workshop" theme.
He had six stations. He made a candy cane mouse. He played 'build a tree' math dice partner game (which I was assigned to monitor). He had a color word reading mini book patterned after "Brown Bear". He made a Santa apple. He played Bingo. He played another math dice game.
Again, I am tired after 'teaching' for a morning. What is wrong with me? I used to teach full days and be full of energy!
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Final Conference
Last week, I had the final conference with Middle Dude's teacher. His conference is always interesting. I realize at these conferences that I have really the WHOLE spectrum of learners. My goal is always to try to understand how to deal with a high cap type kid, which is more challenging than a boy with autism.
Her first comment to me was, "have you had him tested for High Cap?". You know if that conversation starts out with that where the conference is going. We did have him tested last Spring (the first time he could be tested) and he did not pass. There were three parts and he passed one part and he barely missed the other two. She recommended we either have him tested again this year, or if he has anxiety (he's been having some anxiety, 3rd grade is a challenging grade and she said most high cap kids struggle in 3rd grade because they can no longer 'breeze' through it, they actually have to 'prove' that they know the answer).
Anyway, he got mostly 4s. A "4" is equivalent to a 95% or above (crazy above the norm). He would have gotten 4s on addition and subtraction facts, but he got a 93% in addition facts and a 94% on subtraction facts. She said that, even though they are just starting out multiplication, he has basically mastered multiplication. He does have to work on facts, but that is a memorization exercise.
His Reading was also good. I can't remember off hand what his scores were, but they were high. Again, this is a tough grade. He's been struggling with "Reader's Response' (comprehension questions) and she said that if they moved him down a level, he'd still be struggling (she does the same work that the upper group does, there are a LOT of fantastic readers in the 3rd grade). She said that everyone struggles with Reader's Response.
Anyway, she loves having him in class. I had to bring in all three boys and Oldest was going into random third grade rooms and drinking water. Who knows what that was all about. He was supposed to stay in the 'pod' area (where the computers are) and play on the computers.
Her first comment to me was, "have you had him tested for High Cap?". You know if that conversation starts out with that where the conference is going. We did have him tested last Spring (the first time he could be tested) and he did not pass. There were three parts and he passed one part and he barely missed the other two. She recommended we either have him tested again this year, or if he has anxiety (he's been having some anxiety, 3rd grade is a challenging grade and she said most high cap kids struggle in 3rd grade because they can no longer 'breeze' through it, they actually have to 'prove' that they know the answer).
Anyway, he got mostly 4s. A "4" is equivalent to a 95% or above (crazy above the norm). He would have gotten 4s on addition and subtraction facts, but he got a 93% in addition facts and a 94% on subtraction facts. She said that, even though they are just starting out multiplication, he has basically mastered multiplication. He does have to work on facts, but that is a memorization exercise.
His Reading was also good. I can't remember off hand what his scores were, but they were high. Again, this is a tough grade. He's been struggling with "Reader's Response' (comprehension questions) and she said that if they moved him down a level, he'd still be struggling (she does the same work that the upper group does, there are a LOT of fantastic readers in the 3rd grade). She said that everyone struggles with Reader's Response.
Anyway, she loves having him in class. I had to bring in all three boys and Oldest was going into random third grade rooms and drinking water. Who knows what that was all about. He was supposed to stay in the 'pod' area (where the computers are) and play on the computers.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
A Little Post-Thanksgiving Cheer
Due to last week's snow when the district delayed school on Monday and cancelled Tuesday, Thanksgiving celebrations were postponed.
On a different note, as I was entering the school, I saw Oldest as he was getting off of the bus and he walked me in a talked to me (as in not grunting, talking to me!). Very cute.
Yesterday, Monday, I went in and helped for Squanto's celebration. Youngest had several stations....with me, he and his friends had to decorate their Thanksgiving Day card and do a 'caveman' writing (Man Go Mountain Tree Deer, all in symbols). Then, another mom helped by having the kids 'hunt' for dinner (ie. throw a spear at a 'turkey', "raccoon", 'beaver" and so on). With his teacher, the kids decorated a 'prayer stick' which they prayed for good crops and planted corn. In the other room, they 'traded' toys/goodies like Squanto and decorated a totem pole (of course, Youngest's told jokes instead of telling story, because that is who he is).
Today, the kids did a Thanksgiving play, complete with three songs and the story of Thanksgiving. They each had to memorize a line. Youngest's was "they did not have enough food in the forest". He did a great job. Then, each child had to stand on a box and read their three things that they are thankful for. Youngest said he was thankful for 'my mom, my house, and my movies'. Yep.
It was so much fun...I got to see Middle Dude and Oldest at school, too today. Usually, I see one or two of them. It was so fun to see all three of them.
On a different note, as I was entering the school, I saw Oldest as he was getting off of the bus and he walked me in a talked to me (as in not grunting, talking to me!). Very cute.
Yesterday, Monday, I went in and helped for Squanto's celebration. Youngest had several stations....with me, he and his friends had to decorate their Thanksgiving Day card and do a 'caveman' writing (Man Go Mountain Tree Deer, all in symbols). Then, another mom helped by having the kids 'hunt' for dinner (ie. throw a spear at a 'turkey', "raccoon", 'beaver" and so on). With his teacher, the kids decorated a 'prayer stick' which they prayed for good crops and planted corn. In the other room, they 'traded' toys/goodies like Squanto and decorated a totem pole (of course, Youngest's told jokes instead of telling story, because that is who he is).
Today, the kids did a Thanksgiving play, complete with three songs and the story of Thanksgiving. They each had to memorize a line. Youngest's was "they did not have enough food in the forest". He did a great job. Then, each child had to stand on a box and read their three things that they are thankful for. Youngest said he was thankful for 'my mom, my house, and my movies'. Yep.
It was so much fun...I got to see Middle Dude and Oldest at school, too today. Usually, I see one or two of them. It was so fun to see all three of them.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Winter Weather
Well, the winter season has begun. Yesterday, about two inches of snow fell. The good news is that all three boys went outside (the last time we had snow, they did not want to go out or went out for only five minutes) for an extended period of time.
Knowing our district, I was preparing for the worst. Today, knowing our district like I do, even though the snow had melted here, it hadn't on the 'mountain'....well, our version of the mountain. So, school was delayed two hours and a.m. kindergarten cancelled. This was traumatic for me because I was planning on going in to help out with the 'encampment' (trading of goods and such for the Squanto celebration).
Most of the boys did okay with the change of schedule, but Oldest had his moments. He did fine in the beginning and then, his 'internal autism clock' went off ("I have to go to school, I am going to be LATE!"). So, he hugged himself (very proactive of him) and tried to calm down. In the meantime, I emailed his teacher and OT at school and told them about what was happening. Because of the school delay, he was going to miss OT (of course, he knew this because it's a routine thing). He kept saying to me, "I want to see OT Laura!".
OT Laura, being the fabulous OT she is, fit him in to, I think, her lunch hour. Bless her heart. She worked it out with his general education teacher and he was able to go straight to OT this morning. His general education teacher, being the former special education teacher she is, emailed me back (before I knew that OT Laura was fitting him in) and told me to tell him that it was all going to be okay and that teachers are a little 'off', too, today and to just be calm and that they will work together.
Love them. Tonight is another winter storm warning....so, I expect Youngest's Thanksgiving play will be postponed until next Tuesday and I'll go through another morning of Oldest being 'off'. We'll work through it as we always do. The teachers in this district never cease to amaze me at how generous of a spirit they are. We are truly blessed :)
By the way, Oldest had an assignment last Saturday from his special education teacher. He and her looked through the menu of Red Robin and found some new foods he'd like to try. I am not sure he really WANTED to try them, but he was told he had to try something new. So, he tried an onion ring. The first one he nibbled at and then decided he was full (totally fine) and then after the chips/salsa showed up, he decided to try another! He ate the whole thing (minus the onion part, which is fine, neither one of the other boys like that, either). Then, last night, his favorite server, Whitney, emailed him congratulating him on trying something new. She told him how proud she was of him. Whoot. Hopefully, that will encourage him to try something next week!
Knowing our district, I was preparing for the worst. Today, knowing our district like I do, even though the snow had melted here, it hadn't on the 'mountain'....well, our version of the mountain. So, school was delayed two hours and a.m. kindergarten cancelled. This was traumatic for me because I was planning on going in to help out with the 'encampment' (trading of goods and such for the Squanto celebration).
Most of the boys did okay with the change of schedule, but Oldest had his moments. He did fine in the beginning and then, his 'internal autism clock' went off ("I have to go to school, I am going to be LATE!"). So, he hugged himself (very proactive of him) and tried to calm down. In the meantime, I emailed his teacher and OT at school and told them about what was happening. Because of the school delay, he was going to miss OT (of course, he knew this because it's a routine thing). He kept saying to me, "I want to see OT Laura!".
OT Laura, being the fabulous OT she is, fit him in to, I think, her lunch hour. Bless her heart. She worked it out with his general education teacher and he was able to go straight to OT this morning. His general education teacher, being the former special education teacher she is, emailed me back (before I knew that OT Laura was fitting him in) and told me to tell him that it was all going to be okay and that teachers are a little 'off', too, today and to just be calm and that they will work together.
Love them. Tonight is another winter storm warning....so, I expect Youngest's Thanksgiving play will be postponed until next Tuesday and I'll go through another morning of Oldest being 'off'. We'll work through it as we always do. The teachers in this district never cease to amaze me at how generous of a spirit they are. We are truly blessed :)
By the way, Oldest had an assignment last Saturday from his special education teacher. He and her looked through the menu of Red Robin and found some new foods he'd like to try. I am not sure he really WANTED to try them, but he was told he had to try something new. So, he tried an onion ring. The first one he nibbled at and then decided he was full (totally fine) and then after the chips/salsa showed up, he decided to try another! He ate the whole thing (minus the onion part, which is fine, neither one of the other boys like that, either). Then, last night, his favorite server, Whitney, emailed him congratulating him on trying something new. She told him how proud she was of him. Whoot. Hopefully, that will encourage him to try something next week!
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