Aww, happy birthday to your DS Lenny and your DD BlackRose. I hope they both have fantastic days!!
ZF - I wouldn't call our school tiny (not compared to the size it used to be anyway), but I'm always amazed when he walks down the corridors and both the kids and teachers all say "good morning DS". They all know who is who. And I love it. I'm still trying to get my head around who everyone is. It was one of the things I worried about when choosing schools, that sense of community and belonging.
We haven't been given any reading levels yet, is that normal? DS is on list 4 of sight words, though he is cranky about those. I think because the first 3 lists came so easily to him and this list he is really struggling with. His readers are coming home in all different levels still. He actually read one to me from start to finish the other night, it was the first time he had read it so he hadn't been able to memorise it, I was so proud and literally amazed. They have learnt so much already.
Lenny - there is still one girl in DS class whose mother has to get her into the class teacher have her distracted and then run. Otherwise there are tears galore DS thankfully was never like that, but he also has his moments where he doesn't want to go because he misses me (awww!).
DD2 does not eat much. If she gets a chance she pulls most items back out of her lunch box. She is finally speaking up more about what she wants, so today I sent a small thermos with baked beans.
She is not doing so well at reading. Teacher is not worried, but compared to her sister she is really lagging. Trying not to stress about it, but it does worry me a bit. Her sight is fine, I got that tested just in case (DD1 has reading glasses). I suspect her leftiness is getting in the way, as she wants to move Right to left across pages.
Happy Birthday little people! May your classes spoil you.
Blackcat, I'm glad you're finally making some in roads. As for reading levels, our school doesn't make a big deal about letting the kids or the parents know. I only know well, because I do the readers a lot. We actually don't have sight word lists. At our school they concentrate on THRASS (Teaching Handwriting Reading And Spelling Skills) stuff first. It's about sounds and phonics and decoding.
ZF both my kids are like that with their lunch boxes. Even my big girl who eats a phenomenal amount of food sometimes comes home and says she didn't feel like what I put in there. Frustrating for me but worse for their teachers in the afternoon I'm guessing lol. Learning ladder stuff is not something they push until the older grades at our school. They do do some in class, but not much.
Lenny, sounds like your little guy has found his niche. I agree with the waiting. I did that for my big girl and made such a difference for her.
black_rose, I feel like that's DS ATM.
Astrid, I feel like that with DD1/DS. He's just not that into it like she was. Funnily though my gifted kid is a lefty and DS isn't.
As for us, DS is T.I.R.E.D man!!! They are into their second week of 2 intensive swimming weeks. His teacher has been away for the last 4 weeks on long service leave, and while they have had the loveliest teacher, it was cute how excited they all were to see her this morning.
I did get a bit of a shock phone call yesterday though. It was the stand-in teacher and she said,
"Oh, Hi Kim, it's (her name)" - I thought, my goodness what has he done for her to be ringing me at home????
"Nate's had a bit of an accident...." - now a good friend of mine who knows DS and his quirks works at reception. She usually rings when there's been an accident so my first thought is 'oh no, Josie's had to go in an ambulance with him so the teacher has rung....'
"He's been hit in the face rather heavily with a book. It caused his nose to bleed really badly"
Poor little guy, for once in his life he wasn't even involved. He needed a new shirt his has so much blood on it. I thought he'd have a meltdown, but she said he dealt with it, more calmly than she was. He didn't want to come home and preferred to stay and go swimming lol.
Thankfully no black eyes this morning.
We only have a week off this school holidays (and then 4 in the middle of the year) so I think I'll take the kids down to see DH. He lives in the community at the base of Ayers Rock.
Oh no Kim hate those phonecalls! Poor dd had a fight with a friend today and is upset hoping they work it out. She managed two huff and puffs today which means two laps around the oval so apart from the fight she had a good day.
My DD is tired, but still waking up before 6am usually - asleep by 7.
So at home I experience big behavioral blow outs - deliberate acts in opposition to what I've asked her to do..can be frustrating! Then in the Mornings there is lots of dordling.
I've been doing sight words in the Mornings and reading eggs because she's a lot brighter and receptive. Still on sheet one for sight words - they've been slow to test them again but I know she should get a few more of them. But if she doesn't know it she deliberately gives me the wrong answer as if that's enough and then I will stop asking her! Her teacher says just leave it when that's happening.
I have to work really hard on not showing my frustration at her deliberate wrong answers (she also tells very mighty tales about her day), it's really exhausting and I'm insure what's actually what.
She blocks me in the afternoon and says no questions - and my Q's are very fluffy and light and open ended so not too hard to answer.
My DD had a meltdown this afternoon because she wanted a plain piece of paper and all she could find was paper that had stuff printed on the other side (we give them recycled paper to draw on, instead of new sheets). Complete with tears, angry accusations (Mummy! You're not helping me!) and hiccups.
I really should have helped her calm down but I was literally in the middle of making dinner, DS1 and DS2 were both screaming at me and I just couldn't. Plus I was getting a bit over it!
Anyway. She is tired. She's also been sick - off sick Friday and Monday. Been fighting a virus of some sort. I'm hoping things are picking up now.
Our school is also pretty vague on levels and things. By sight words do you mean the golden words etc? If so, DD has just gone up to the red words. She's trying but it's taking time. But that's ok.
Blackcat we dont start readers until next term. Term 1 is all about settling into school and learning all the Jolly Phonics sounds/letters etc. Interesting how different prep is across the board!!
DS is up and down with tiredness. Doesn't help that he's an early waker (usually up by 6am), with school not starting till 9am he's put in a good 3 hrs before school even starts. He had a meltdown about going to OHSC this morning "Mummy, I'm soooo tired, its such a long day". Anyway packed a few books for him cos apparently today it was boring too, of course the books stayed in his bag as once he got to OHSC he was busy having fun. Made me feel guilty though. He only goes 2 mornings a week due to my work commitments, but he's right, it makes for a long day
Next term I am helping out with reading, and excursions Looking forward to it. Have done the volunteers course and had my police clearance so all good to go. I really want to be a part of the school community so that will be a great way to get involved. DS had his first birthday party on saturday. It was hard to join in talking to some of the other Mum's who clearly have already established friendships so I was a little disappointed as thought the party was a great way to get to know some other parents. Had a good chat to one of the Dads though. Will try again at the next party - perhaps there will be different kids and therefore parents there who aren't so cliquey! We will have a party for DS late April here at home - easier for me to interact on my turf hehehehe. I am finding that thats a drawback to being a working Mum. I only do two drop off and pick ups in normal hours (aside from the early drop offs for OHSC) so not seeing some of the other parents as frequently. I want some School Mum friends god damn it!! Have just been randomly chatting to other parents while waiting for the bell at pick up. Hmmmm reading this back I sound kinda desperate LOL
Mummy Naoimi I Know what you mean and get it! I am the same DS1 has been going to a friends 2 mornings a week and BSC 1 morning a week and ASC 3 afternoons a week and dont get me wrong he love sit but I feel like I am missing out on getting friends!!! Next term he is doing 3 mornings at BSC as friend finding it to hard with so many early morning as when DS 1 and another boy often dropped of her kids were still in bed.
I find that I am left out of chatting and convos and do not know names of many at all. :-( I really want school friends as didn't really get it at kinder.
I hope to be able to help at school but will depends on DS2 sitting nice and quiet so I can!!! HMM prob no hope!!!!!
DS1 has good and bad days with readers some days very keen and does well other days no hope!! He also has flip cards with alphabet on them. No set words to learn yet. Have started reading eggs and Mathletics which he enjoyed!
One of the children in DSs class comes here in the morning and afternoon on Wednesday. Dropped off at 8.30ish and picked up at about 5.50pm.
She and DS aren't really friends, just classmates. DS is getting tired now and he doesn't really want her here so late in the evening. We normally have dinner at 5.30 especially because DS2 has kinder all day as well. I also don't like the fact that she eats and eats her way through my fruit bowl and then starts on the loaf of bread. I am often giving her 3 pieces of fruit, a carrot, some rice crackers and a whole sandwich. The other day I said no more food - it was getting so late and it seemed unfair to be withholding food from my own children (so they'd eat their dinner) yet giving her what she wanted. When I explained this to the mother she said oh, its ok, she can eat what she likes.
I feel bad saying something though. I feel like I said I would do it, so I really should follow through. I have been told the alternative is she gets dropped at school at 8.30, and then has some kind of after hours care for the afternoon. Currently a different family member does each day of the week.
That's a tough one Lenny... I offered to have my neighbours two kids on Thursday afternoons while she's working but she normally picks them up by about 4.30 so it isn't too much work at all. Do you think you could talk to the child about, just say "We don't eat snacks after 5pm" or whatever? Is she eating her lunch at school, and all her food in her lunch box?
Are you guys having dinner late because of her? Or do you eat with her there?
Is there anyway the mum could pick her up a bit earlier from your place?
Re the school friends for us mummies: it seems like at my school there are some mums with older kids who are already friends, and those groups are a bit hard to break into. But there seem to be quite a few who are willing to say hi - just this morning someone said to me "Have we met? I'm Caroline" which was nice. And we bumped into a family walking home, who live near us. So that has been nice.
We were informed this morning that as of next term we are no longer allowed to walk the kids to class unless we specifically want to talk to the teacher. They have to be dropped inside the glass doors and then either walk themselves to class and then go to the oval or otherwise put their bags in lines and off to the oval. I feel kind of sad that I won't be able to see what they have been doing anymore. Maybe its just me having issues giving up control? I dunno. I'm sure they must have mentioned this on orientation, but I dunno, I feel so... blah about it. DS was so upset this morning telling me and telling me that I couldnt drop him off to class anymore or he would get sent to the principals office! (Im not very happy about that either, that he is being held accountable for someone elses (my) actions which he can't possibly have control of, on the threat of the principals office). What does everyone else think? I feel so disheartened about this school lately. They have a wonderful community spirit. Maybe Im just projecting my own issues onto it all, maybe I'm just not equiped for what school is really like.
MummyNaomi, Feeb and OP, Ive also had a few issues breaking into the already established mummy groups. There is one mother that has a clear dislike for me, but thankfully we don't have much to do with one another, her husband on the other hand has no issues (maybe that's her problem with me ) A lot of them all know one another from their older kids. But after a few parties I am slowly being brought into the group. I find it hard also as I have social anxiety so its not something I'm good at or open with in the first place. But I'm trying.
Lenny can you ask that her mum provides her with something to eat in the afternoon with you? So she can eat that while your kids get to eat and she isn't munching her way through the fruit bowl? I have a fruit muncher, as soon as he comes through the door he starts and doesn't stop until bedtime, even then he tries. So I can imagine what its like for you.
Feeb - does your school have a box of toys etc for siblings? I know a couple of our mums bring their younger kids to reading and the class just brings out a box of toys for them to play with. The other parents are good at helping watch them too when the mummy is distracted etc.
twodarlingirls - DS is like that too. He just shuts me down, it doesn't matter how you phrase it, he just won't talk about what he has done during the day. Sometimes he will open up and start a conversation about something that has happened but mostly I get the cold shoulder too.
Kim - I hope your DS' nose is ok now. Ouchies! Poor little fella.
OP golden words? not sure tbh. The sight words we have are words like to, the, because, she, he, they. That sort of thing. I think they are a combination of words that you can't sound out and high frequency words.
Our kids have pretty much been thrown straight into everything. So they are learning letter sounds (jolly phonics), how to make words from the sounds, sight words (as above) and readers. Some of the kids are struggling and you can see it when you do the class reading for them, while others have taken it in their stride and run with it. Our teacher was (IMO) rude at orientation and said if your kids are 4 don't bother sending them, wait for next year. I can understand the reasoning but surely that should be a child by child basis and the parents decision. But anyway, this is what we chose.
I found with the friendship thing as school that it takes time and numerous encounters. So it may take the birthday party, a shared volunteering session and then bumping into each other at the shop/park/etc for friendships to begin to form.
Have found that volunteering helps, being part of committees etc. They have to talk to you then
Good point Astrid. Probably more time and interaction is needed. I shall plug away and build some bonds. Friendships aren't made overnight.
We can't take the younger siblings when volunteering, frankly that's fine with me, I'm there to help with the class not kid wrangle my very inquisitive toddler who would be a big distraction for the school kids. I plan to take DD to a morning session of child care. Then I am splitting my RDO into halves for each kid and my full attention will be on each. DD is very strong willed and tantrumy atm so it wouldn't be appropriate to take her.
DS took a fall today and has a massive egg and cut on his forehead, looks terrible DH picked him up from school after the office rang me shortly after 9 and took him home, poor love. He was quite shaken up.
BlackCat on Wednesdays we have Independence day where the parents are asked to drop the preppies at the door, let the bring their own lunchbox, drink and message bag into the class and settle themselves in. DS comes into the classroom from OHSC anyway that day so no biggie for us, but I do understand that they are helping our little ones organize themselves for the day. Seems they are much more capable than we realise. Boo Hoo the way your LO is made to feel he will get in trouble though if you
don't comply
I can usually draw a fair bit out of DS depending on the Qs I ask. Eg who did u play with at lunch, what books did you do work in, did you go to other buildings outside your classroom, did you see other teachers today, what was your favorite part of school today, what made you feel happy/sad today. All great conversation starters
Did I say we also have P/T interviews next week (Learning Conversations). DS participates which I love, back in my day (showing my age here) we sat outside the classroom while Mum went in. DH and I are really looking forward to it.
Meant to say too Lenny there is a little girl in DSs class like that - cries every morning and is soooo distressed, breaks my heart I don't think I could cope if DS was struggling like that everyday. That was one of our big considerations when we were deciding when to start him. The other issue that arises is then the teacher is monopolized each morning settling her in and she has a whole class of preppies to greet. She is amazing at juggling it all.
Having to organise the party invites for DD2's first school birthday party. I like to be fairly open with the first one and invite most of the kids. I see it as a good way of families starting new connections (we are always open about parents staying)
Sadly she is being funny about two of the girls. I suggested invite all the girls, plus a couple from the other class, but no, she does not want that. I really don't want to exclude only two girls, does not seem fair, especially since one of the girls is new. I doubt once the party gets going that she will even notice. Kids learning socialisation can be tough at times.
We had that last year Astrid there were two girls she really didn't want to invite but we had 8 other girls from the same class so we talked about it and invited all the girls and one or two other girls from other classes.
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DS thankfully was never like that, but he also has his moments where he doesn't want to go because he misses me (awww!).
) A lot of them all know one another from their older kids. But after a few parties I am slowly being brought into the group. I find it hard also as I have social anxiety so its not something I'm good at or open with in the first place. But I'm trying.
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