How is school going for your kid(s)

[misty]

Just wondering how everyone's kids are doing now that school is in full swing. Feel free to expand on your answers & start a conversation.

My daughter started HS this year. She's in Cyber school & so far so good. She has all "work at your own pace" classes except for math. Math is a virtual classroom that meets each day & because of her math LD, she also has access to a one on one aide. Her hardest class is Western Heritage so I work with her on that. Its interesting for her, but a lot of details to absorb & with a low working memory, it would be a nightmare if I didn't help her.

[bugsmom]

We're doing pretty good here too. I don't have any major complaints yet. Being that it's my second year homeschooling, I feel a little more relaxed and I think Josh feels that too. I'm not so anal about getting everything done on the exact day in my planner. We're enjoying this year because I plan for it to be our last homeschool year...but hey who knows.

Math is much more enjoyable since I found a better curriculum that meets his needs and doesn't frustrate him. He's really getting into the Percy Jackson and the Olympian books and is reading up a storm! I never thought I'd see that in my lifetime. With his interest from those books, we decided to study Greek Mythology and he just loves it. It's amazing what can spark a kids interest when you let them lead the way. We're covering all the basics too, Composition, Biology, Geography, Vocabulary, and so on.

Oh, and he just started a Fencing Class! Today was our second class and he thinks it's just way too cool. They let them put on all the gear today and actually fence each other a little bit. I'm amazed at what a workout it is! The kids are soaked to the bone with sweat by the time their through. Very fun to learn and watch. I'll have to take some pictures and post them next week. It is a really interesting sport, which we never would have tried if we weren't homeschooling. It's offered through the Homeschool Athletic League in our area.

[puzzled]

Chase is having another great year so far this year. His progress report was all A's. He had a med check on Friday and what with my schedule of classes/student teaching/working at Mcdonald's, it totally slipped my mind about getting the forms for the teachers to fill out, so I emailed them and asked that they send me back a short email detailing any issues that he may have in their class with anger, turning in homework, staying on task and using classtime wisely, that sort of thing. They all emailed me wonderful things about him for the most part. One of the teachers, his Algebra teacher, had some comments about him not wanting to take notes one day, but he had explained to me that the skills she was teaching that day he was familiar with and "was really good at" and he did not feel he needed the notes....she apparently took him into the hallway before he would comply. I am unsure how to handle that, but I am wondering if she is aware of the extra algebra he has had by skipping a year in math. He is likely to be more skilled at many of the skills that the other children have not ever come across.

Anyhow, he is having a great year so far. He wants to grow his hair longer, and we made a deal that if he keeps his grades up, he can grow it. If he doesn't, mom gets to cut it. He has been coming home and doing homework without prompting...if we could only get him to get out of bed in the mornings.....

[katiekat]

Well of course things are bad here with school-should I expect anything else? The worst thing is this-I feel like I have been "tricked" by the CST. In MAy when they finally gave Sean an IEP we had asked for extra help in reading, writing, and math. I THOUGHT they said that Sean would be getting pulled out for these subjects and going to the resource room. When I went to back to school night they started it a 1/2 hour early for the special ed class. I got there and the teacher was directing parents to their kids seats and told me to just sit at this table b/c Sean doesnt have a permanent seat in there since he only comes for "support." Afterward I asked what that meant and she said that he does not come there on a regular basis just when the teacher thinks he could use some extra help with what they are learning. That was not what I thought. Now I know the only reason they gave us the IEP is so Sean doesnt have to take the standardized tests and bring down their precious scores sinces thats all they're concerned about. Well thats going to change.
In addition still all the same things from previous years-every other day he forgets his homework, has already been sent to the principal's office and cannot do the homework. Still reversing letters-guess it's still ok in 3rd grade-every year they say dont worry about it yet. Hello?? Are you kidding me? I think they are finally beating me down. Im so tired of all this.

[puzzled]

I am so sorry KK.

[unicorn]

I voted for great! We just got interims and she has never done better! I did attend the teacher conferences last night and did meet with each one in order to make sure that she stays on this path that she is following for the first half of the quarter.

The only thing is teating which has always been a problem. Not sure if it is anxiety, memory recalling, working too fast, etc. But if everything else stays A & B then her grades should stay good.

Science - A
Math - B
Language Arts - A-
World Cultures - C
Reading - B

She really has busted butt too to do so well in school. It is like a switch has gone on or something. She really loves Midle School.

So very happy, that I could burst.

[charliegirl]

The kid is in a new school with great teachers who don't have any preconceived ideas. Unfortunately, he is becoming quite popular there so he would rather socialize than do his school work in spite of the fact that when he does it, he does very well.

The good news is that all his teachers meet every other day and discuss any student they have concerns about so they all know that he is messing around and are letting me know quickly when he stops trying. Poor kid isn't going to have much of a life this year since we have already told him and his teachers that when something isn't in on time, he is losing all computer, tv, electronic games and his phone until it is done and turned in.

[jj]

Uni, I am so happy things are so much better this year. I'm dancing for joy for the both of you!

And CG, I know it has to be a happy thing that he is popular, rather than the opposite, even if it does affect his study habits. I'm happy that things are better this year. Jumping for joy for you and your son. I hope it dawns on him that he has to take responsibility to get his work done so he doesn't lose privileges.

[charliegirl]

KK, I missed your post until now. Read your copy of the IEP thoroughly and if it really doesn't say he will get extra help on a set basis, you can always request a new IEP meeting since his progress reports are bound to show "whenever" isn't working.

I'm so sorry for you. I know how frustrating it can be when they think they can sweep your child under the rug and lead you around by the nose. They are experts at it.

[Tigger]

School for both of my boys have been a nightmore!!!!I dont know where to start to tell you all where or what is going on. I just am lost for words. As where or what to do. I get a phone call every day on how my 10 year old is doing and it is never good news. As for my 6 year old it is the same as last year they are going be putting him into a behavior school here just before thanksgiving so I am so lost on what to do with them both. so I said HELP!!!! on the poll