>{Note: The alternate title for this post could be called, “I’m bragging about my kids so if posts like this make you cringe or want to knock me out with a 2×4, just stop reading here“}
The Critters’ formal schooling is over for the summer. Before we left for our trip both of The Critters said goodbye to their friends and teachers, as their school years ended while we were gone. Coming from a public school background where the year began just a couple days before Labor Day and ended the week before my birthday in the beginning of July, this early-to-start, early-to-end schedule is still strange to me.
Anthony had a highly successful first year of preschool. From my personal observations, he grew from a timid toddler who cried when I dropped him off each morning into a more confident, friendly, and – according to his teachers – outgoing preschooler. According to his end of year evaluation he is able to write his first name (in all uppercase letters), count to 49 while only missing number 15 (?), recognizes 25 of 26 uppercase letters and 18 of 26 lowercase numbers, as well as all written numbers 1-10; he was working on 11-20 when he left. He can also tell us what sound each letter makes as well as identify all the letters based on their sounds (we say “wuh” and he knows that’s the sound ‘w’ makes).
He gained scissor skills, learned to play cooperatively with same-aged peers, engaged in fine and gross motor skill building activities, and proved to his teachers that he could use the toilet independently long before he let Tony and I in on that secret.
I love this preschool. It was wonderful for Brenna when she attended and has been equally great for Anthony, which is why he’s returning again this fall for three mornings a week, and will likely continue on the following year for four afternoons each week.
Brenna had an equally rewarding year in her homeschool enrichment program, which had her joining eight other homeschooled first graders from 8am to 3pm one day each week. Her primary teacher, Mrs. P, reinforced reading and writing skills, and taught music lessons in her class. Brenna also had science lessons and hands-on experience with doing projects and experiments, as well as instruction with art and physical education teachers.
In her end of year evaluation she received all “excellent” marks in the areas of academics, behavior, and effort, in all the subjects in which she received instruction. (Other options were ‘good’, ‘satisfactory’, and ‘needs improvement’. No letter grades in this program.)
I am so happy I found this program to supplement our homeschool studies. I found myself struggling early on to fit in art and music instruction into our days alongside language arts, math, science, and history; to have instructors much more equipped to instruct her in those areas was a huge burden lifted from my shoulders. Having other adults evaluating her also helped me understand that the curricula I chose for her was appropriate, and that I was teaching her effectively.
She and I are not finished with her entire first grade curricula. While she’s completed the first grade handwriting workbook, her “line” work (learning to use a ruler), two map workbooks, and the entire inferencing workbook we still have a few writing lessons to go in her formal workbook. We have about fifteen grammar lessons left to complete, about three-quarters of the second spelling workbook we’ve been using (we completed the first level in December), and most of the second half of her math curriculum.
However, she’s been keeping up with her DreamBox lessons and the second half of the Singapore math program will cover basic multiplication and division skills. Also included are the fractions 1/2 and 1/4, time, money, adding double digit numbers, and money. While she’s by no means an expert in all of those topics she’s had practice with each of them and we’ll likely sail through those lessons fairly quickly.
Where we’re considerably farther behind in our coursework is science and history, but if I’m being entirely honest I’m really not as concerned about those subjects. My biggest goal for this year was teaching her to gain reading skills with the ability to comprehend what she’s reading, as well as growing her math skills. Given that when I evaluated her with several tests that all indicated she’s reading at a 4.5 grade level and was easily understanding the concept of multiplication when her Nanny explained it to her last month, I think I’ve accomplished those goals.
So we’ll continue working to complete all these programs throughout the summer; we’ve got all of June and July and half of August before she begins second grade. This is more than enough time to complete it all, and it’s my hope that continuing our studies for an hour or so each morning will keep her connected enough that when school begins for her she’ll be ready to jump back in without too much review.
Both of The Critters will also be continuing with their gymnastics programs. The summer session began last week and right now there are only five kids in each of their classes, which is great because they’ll get a lot more one-on-one instruction. Brenna has moved up to the next level this company offers and she’ll be challenged to learn more complex and tricky gymnastics moves, and Anthony will reinforce all the sports skills he learned throughout the year.
I also joined a gym yesterday – I still have about 20 lbs to lose since Anthony was born… almost four years ago - and while our facility will provide childcare for him Brenna will either be allowed to play in the pool, or in the bigger kids’ area, or she can join me on the treadmill/track. It’s my personal goal to go to the gym at least three mornings a week, and combined with The Critters’ gymnastics and swimming lessons (the latter through this month but probably ending thereafter), and playdates with our friends a couple times a week, plus our continued studies, we’ll have a busy and fulfilling summer with a little bit of downtime thrown in for good measure. Bring it on!
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