This was posted by christschool-a really good blogger/Utuber that I love listening to. He is a dad who has Aspergers and so does his little boy.
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I believe Alex.
After Ms. Portillo marched Alex to the front of the class and shortly before voting him out of the class by a 14 to 2 vote, the official police report released today states:
"I (reporting officer) asked Alex what the students said.... he said the students said he eats paper, picks boogers and eats them on top of of the table and bites his shoelaces," according to the report. The report then reads: "He (Alex) told me Mrs. Portillo said, 'I hate you right now. I don't like you today." The police officer asked Alex how it made him feel. "He said it made him feel sad."
"Portillo said she explained to them (the children in the class) that the students in class were all her priority and she would protect them like a 'bear defending her cubs'", according to the police report.
Portillo and the other children in the class said Alex was pushing a table up with his feet while he was under the table. According to the Suntimes, Portillo then got the school resource officer to remove Alex from the classroom. It was the second "discipline" referral for Alex that day, the report said.
To the left is what a school resource officer typically looks like. According to the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO), the organization considers itself the first and most recognized organization for law enforcement officers in the schools. A resource officer isn't a "renta-cop", but a certified police officer with the power to affect arrest and custody. The main job of a school resource officer is to perform the lion's share of of the necessary law enforcement function on a campus. This function includes "proactive crime preventions, conducting criminal investigations, making arrests when necessary, developing intervention strategies and crisis planning." Does a 5 year old child pushing a table up with his legs require a police officer (a person with the power to arrest and imprison, whom is suppose to be investigating and preventing criminal acts on campus) to intervene? Ms. Portillo did not claim that she or the children were afraid of Alex's pushing the table with his legs. No mention was made in the police report that Alex was endangering himself or the other children in the class. No mention was made that Alex has in the past had a "criminal" record, been violent to other children or caused any child to be fearful of him. But apparently, the resource officer (who's main duties include a law enforcement function to protect the school and students from "crime...conducting criminal investigations and making arrests when necessary etc.") was required based on Ms. Portillo's judgement.
According to the police report: "When Alex returned to the class, Ms. Portillo said she and the class were not ready for HIM(my emphasis) to return." The police report then states that Portillo took Alex to the front of the class. "She said she then asked him to listen to what the children didn't like about the things he did, and she asked him how it made him feel," according again to the police report. "She said at this time, 'We polled the class to see how his peers felt about his return at that time." Ms. Portillo "polled" the class, after inciting fear in the other 5 year olds who had just seen their classmate dragged from the classroom by a real and certified police officer as well as Ms. Portillo telling the other children in the class that she was their "momma bear" only protecting her "cubs". Alex was voted out, 14 to 2.
It appears Ms. Portillo was using the children as a tool to address her frustration and inability to "deal with" Alex by playing on the visual images a typical 5 year old might ("Disney villains") have of momma's and cubs, its no wonder that the children voted Alex out. Ms. Portillo had painted Alex as "Scar" and the children as "Simba". What 5 year old would choose "Scar" over "Simba"?
Claims of physical abuse by Ms. Portillo
In a situation all too familiar to autistic adults and parents of autistics, the police reported that Alex told them that "Portillo scratched him, stepped on his shoelaces, grabbed his leg and pulled his shirt collar, but the report said Portillo and other children in the class refuted those allegations." According to almost all the scientific-peer reviewed literature, autistic children are incapable of lying. Its a developmental milestone many parents of autistics actually celebrate when their child can tell a lie.
The report states that after Ms. Barton talked to Portillo that day about the voting, Portillo "blocked the door for about five minutes to prevent me from leaving the classroom with my child, who was visibly shaken by the abuse."
Ms. Portillo calling the police on a 5 year old pushing a table with his legs is not in contention by any party. Having a vote to expel Alex from the classroom is not in contention. Ms. Portillo inviting other 5 year olds in the class to tell Alex how "they feel about him" is not in contention. Ms. Portillo manipulating Alex's classmates with visual imagery like "momma protecting her cubs" is not in contention. The fact that Ms. Portillo blocked Ms. Barton from leaving the classroom wasn't protested in the police report. Two different parties (the police and Ms. Barton) independently confirmed that Alex told them basically the same thing (i.e. classmates were instructed to bully him with derogatory descriptions and vote him out of the class). Ms. Portillo doesn't object to any of these allegations by deference to the police report. Ms. Barton was serving on an IEP team to get Alex additional services is not in contention. The only thing in contention seems to be that Ms. Portillo doesn't believe she did anything wrong and Ms. Barton does. Alex believes Ms. Portillo was mean to him. I believe Alex.
Supporting Alex and Ms. Barton is a question of civil rights and the law. Hundreds of thousands of children and adults were excluded from an education before a law called PL 94-142 (Now called the IDEA) was passed in 1975. Schools were under consent decrees in the beginning years of PL 94-142, including Florida. See:
Title VI and VII Civil Rights Act of 1964
Office of Civil Rights Memorandum (Standards for Title VI Compliance) of May 25, 1970
Requirements based on the Supreme Court decision in Lau v. Nichols, 1974
Equal Education Opportunities Act of 1974
Requirements of the Vocational Education Guidelines, 1979
Requirements based on the Fifth Circuit court decision in Castañeda v. Pickard, 1981
Requirements based on the Supreme Court decision in Plyler v. Doe, 1982
Americans with Disabilities Act (PL 94-142)
Florida Education Equity Act, 1984
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Before the enactment of Public Law 94-142, the fate of many individuals with disabilities was likely to be dim. Too many individuals lived in state institutions for persons with mental retardation or mental illness. In 1967, for example, state institutions were homes for almost 200,000 persons with disabilities. Many of these restrictive settings provided only minimal food, clothing, and shelter.
Public Law 94-142 guaranteed a free, appropriate public education to each child with a disability in every state and locality across the country.
The four purposes of the law articulated a compelling national mission to improve access to education for children with disabilities. Changes implicit in the law included efforts to improve how children with disabilities were identified and educated, to evaluate the success of these efforts, and to provide due process protections for children and families. In addition, the law authorized financial incentives to enable states and localities to comply with Public Law 94-142 (though this has never been fully funded).
Four Purposes of PL 94-142
"to assure that all children with disabilities have available to them…a free appropriate public education which emphasizes special education and related services designed to meet their unique needs"
"to assure that the rights of children with disabilities and their parents…are protected"
"to assist States and localities to provide for the education of all children with disabilities"
"to assess and assure the effectiveness of efforts to educate all children with disabilities"
Over the last several days and the weeding out of countless comments on my previous blog entry, it is quite clear to me that there are a large contingent of people in the United States that don't believe students with disabilities have any right to an education in a mainstream setting, despite the law.
How can one remain neutral or display only a passive support to the outrage of what happened to Alex? What kind of advocates are we if we are worried about social niceties or only report part of the story? Or that we are concerned about someone that would deny future generations the rights under PL 94-142 that so many autistic people and other disabled people never had the opportunity to benefit from? PL 94-142 is the codification of our rights to be included in the mainstream. Any attempt to dismantle that is a threat to future generations and I feel we have a responsibility to protect, preserve and expand it. I didn't benefit from PL 94-142 but my son will. Call it mob advocacy if you like. Make a completely illogical argument that there are already too many laws (as if we didn't need civil law protection) and that private schools will somehow open their doors and their classrooms to autistic children when those same private schools are under no obligation to abide by either PL 94-142 or the ADA.
Sometimes advocacy can look "ugly". I believe that sometimes "ugly" is what is called for.
I agree with what ABFH said when she wrote: "I'm glad that we live in more civilized times, but we shouldn't be afraid of hurting people's feelings that we fail to make strong statements when they are needed."
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And its no wonder why we need no less than basically a law degree to advocate for our kids.......sigh.....
Friday, May 30, 2008
Yet Another One........
Sheesh and here I was worried abt the kids in school and peer bullying....sigh......
Seams thats just the tip of the iceburg. What IS the deal? What IS going on? Why are soooo many teachers these days dont give a darn anymore?
I mean it just seams something is wrong, something is just not right with things....
Darned if I know-its getting rediculous though-every day ist something else and people wonder why homeschooling is on the rise?
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=4945581&page=1
Seams thats just the tip of the iceburg. What IS the deal? What IS going on? Why are soooo many teachers these days dont give a darn anymore?
I mean it just seams something is wrong, something is just not right with things....
Darned if I know-its getting rediculous though-every day ist something else and people wonder why homeschooling is on the rise?
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=4945581&page=1
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Tag-You're Out!
Hmmmmmm....any more questions why we homeschool?
Ugh-this just makes me ill-totally rediculous!
This little guy is such cutie-you can watch the video. I cant imagine what kind of person would do such a thing. Doenst surprise me at all, but it still is chilling....sigh....I tell ya what-If that had happend to Stinger in K-there would would have been heads rollin......
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A Port St. Lucie, Florida mother says her five-year-old special needs son was voted out of his classroom by his peers at the behest of the teacher.
Five-year-old Alex Barton will be starting his summer vacation early.
His mother doesn't want him to to return to school after what allegedly happened in class at Morningside Elementary Wednesday afternoon.
"I'll never be able to send him to school again without worrying if something is going to happen," said Melissa Barton.
(hmmmm-sounds all tooooo familiar-eh)
She admits he's had behavior problems, and can be difficult at times, and says he's undergoing tests to determine if he suffers from autism and other disorders.
Barton claims a Wednesday incident pushed the lines of discipline into the realm of abuse.
"She took him and stood him in front of his classmates this week, asked every single child to tell Alex why we don't like him, in his words, tell Alex why we hate him," she explained.
After having each child ridicule the boy, she says the teacher continued belittling him.
"Then they had a vote on if he deserved to stay in the class or not," said Barton.
Like a twisted reality show, Barton says in a 14-2 vote, his classmates voted the five-year-old out of the classroom.
"I never thought she would subject my child to such mental abuse," she said.
Barton filed complaints with the Department of Children and Families and police.
After conferring with the State Attorney's office, police found no grounds for charges, but the school district is investigating the incident and these teaching practices.
Barton suspects other students may have suffered as well.
"If other parents who have this teacher or have had this teacher, come forward talk to your kids because this is wrong," Barton said.
The St. Lucie County school district is investigating the incident and released a statement Tuesday morning that reads:
"Ms. Portillo (the teacher) has been reassigned outside of the classroom at the district offices until any further action may be determined."
(Copyright 2008 by NBC. All Rights Reserved.)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The video states that the teacher asked him where will he go now and Alex said "To the office" and the teacher replied that they didnt want him there either. :(
This is already circling all my boards online-parents are outraged as we all should be. Hopefully all this attention can get that lady as far away from kids as possible :) WHOOT! For MEDIA!!!!!
Ugh-this just makes me ill-totally rediculous!
This little guy is such cutie-you can watch the video. I cant imagine what kind of person would do such a thing. Doenst surprise me at all, but it still is chilling....sigh....I tell ya what-If that had happend to Stinger in K-there would would have been heads rollin......
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Port St. Lucie, Florida mother says her five-year-old special needs son was voted out of his classroom by his peers at the behest of the teacher.
Five-year-old Alex Barton will be starting his summer vacation early.
His mother doesn't want him to to return to school after what allegedly happened in class at Morningside Elementary Wednesday afternoon.
"I'll never be able to send him to school again without worrying if something is going to happen," said Melissa Barton.
(hmmmm-sounds all tooooo familiar-eh)
She admits he's had behavior problems, and can be difficult at times, and says he's undergoing tests to determine if he suffers from autism and other disorders.
Barton claims a Wednesday incident pushed the lines of discipline into the realm of abuse.
"She took him and stood him in front of his classmates this week, asked every single child to tell Alex why we don't like him, in his words, tell Alex why we hate him," she explained.
After having each child ridicule the boy, she says the teacher continued belittling him.
"Then they had a vote on if he deserved to stay in the class or not," said Barton.
Like a twisted reality show, Barton says in a 14-2 vote, his classmates voted the five-year-old out of the classroom.
"I never thought she would subject my child to such mental abuse," she said.
Barton filed complaints with the Department of Children and Families and police.
After conferring with the State Attorney's office, police found no grounds for charges, but the school district is investigating the incident and these teaching practices.
Barton suspects other students may have suffered as well.
"If other parents who have this teacher or have had this teacher, come forward talk to your kids because this is wrong," Barton said.
The St. Lucie County school district is investigating the incident and released a statement Tuesday morning that reads:
"Ms. Portillo (the teacher) has been reassigned outside of the classroom at the district offices until any further action may be determined."
(Copyright 2008 by NBC. All Rights Reserved.)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The video states that the teacher asked him where will he go now and Alex said "To the office" and the teacher replied that they didnt want him there either. :(
This is already circling all my boards online-parents are outraged as we all should be. Hopefully all this attention can get that lady as far away from kids as possible :) WHOOT! For MEDIA!!!!!
Friday, May 23, 2008
Why All the Hoopla?
Here's a little article on the subject of bees and the concern.....
The Growing Toll of Colony Collapse Disorder
The Apiary Inspectors Of America (AIA), the state-level regulators in the world of bees and beekeeping, commissioned a survey of colony losses this past winter. It is the best count of what’s happened so far this year since it's the only count of what’s happened so far this year (recall that lack of funding just mentioned).
The AIA talked to beekeepers who have under their control about 18% of the nations 2.44 million colonies (about a half million colonies). These are commercial beekeepers who are for the most part migratory pollinators, but not all are migratory and only make honey and some migrate but don’t pollinate, though the majority move bees, make honey and pollinate several crops during a season simply because to be a commercial beekeeper you need to do it all to stay in business. What they found is not good news.
Overall these beekeepers suffered a 35.2% loss over winter. This represents a 10% increase compared to last year. Each of the 327 beekeepers (about a third of all commercial beekeepers in the U.S.), lost on average 31.4% of their bees.
Not all losses were due to Colony Collapse Disorder, certainly. In fact only about 29% of all the bees that died last winter died from CCD symptoms. But if your bees died of those symptoms you would lose, on average about 44% of your bees. If they died of, say starvation, you would lose only about 17% ... which is right about what most beekeepers lose every winter, anyway. CCD, then, just about triples winter losses for beekeepers.
So CCD hasn’t gone away and, in fact, it is getting worse. Moreover, although Senator Boxer and her colleagues feel confident that "the $20 million will be", as Senator Casey told a friend and reporter, "put up by the Senate, at least," there are no guarantees what will happen in the House. So no new money has been allocated from anybody anywhere, and new research is still on hold or only getting started.
The one thing this survey wasn’t able to capture was the extent of colony losses in only the past few weeks due to the abnormally late spring snow storms in the Midwest. Heavy colony losses are only just now being reported, (but not confirmed) in that region because beekeepers simply have not had weather that would permit examinations. These would be the beekeepers that do not migrate to California for the almond bloom, and even though they probably have already inspected their colonies once or twice, these late storms have cut off the bees' food supply and the beekeepers can’t get back to help. Normally examinations would be complete and the bees building rapidly for the first early honey flows in May. Not this year. One wonders how much additional weight this will add to the numbers of colony losses this year. We’ll know soon enough.
This is, if you are someone who keeps bees or likes to eat, one of those bad news, bad news, bad news messages.
Find this article at: http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/blogs/bees/colony-collap
The Growing Toll of Colony Collapse Disorder
The Apiary Inspectors Of America (AIA), the state-level regulators in the world of bees and beekeeping, commissioned a survey of colony losses this past winter. It is the best count of what’s happened so far this year since it's the only count of what’s happened so far this year (recall that lack of funding just mentioned).
The AIA talked to beekeepers who have under their control about 18% of the nations 2.44 million colonies (about a half million colonies). These are commercial beekeepers who are for the most part migratory pollinators, but not all are migratory and only make honey and some migrate but don’t pollinate, though the majority move bees, make honey and pollinate several crops during a season simply because to be a commercial beekeeper you need to do it all to stay in business. What they found is not good news.
Overall these beekeepers suffered a 35.2% loss over winter. This represents a 10% increase compared to last year. Each of the 327 beekeepers (about a third of all commercial beekeepers in the U.S.), lost on average 31.4% of their bees.
Not all losses were due to Colony Collapse Disorder, certainly. In fact only about 29% of all the bees that died last winter died from CCD symptoms. But if your bees died of those symptoms you would lose, on average about 44% of your bees. If they died of, say starvation, you would lose only about 17% ... which is right about what most beekeepers lose every winter, anyway. CCD, then, just about triples winter losses for beekeepers.
So CCD hasn’t gone away and, in fact, it is getting worse. Moreover, although Senator Boxer and her colleagues feel confident that "the $20 million will be", as Senator Casey told a friend and reporter, "put up by the Senate, at least," there are no guarantees what will happen in the House. So no new money has been allocated from anybody anywhere, and new research is still on hold or only getting started.
The one thing this survey wasn’t able to capture was the extent of colony losses in only the past few weeks due to the abnormally late spring snow storms in the Midwest. Heavy colony losses are only just now being reported, (but not confirmed) in that region because beekeepers simply have not had weather that would permit examinations. These would be the beekeepers that do not migrate to California for the almond bloom, and even though they probably have already inspected their colonies once or twice, these late storms have cut off the bees' food supply and the beekeepers can’t get back to help. Normally examinations would be complete and the bees building rapidly for the first early honey flows in May. Not this year. One wonders how much additional weight this will add to the numbers of colony losses this year. We’ll know soon enough.
This is, if you are someone who keeps bees or likes to eat, one of those bad news, bad news, bad news messages.
Find this article at: http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/blogs/bees/colony-collap
The Great Sunflower Project
http://www.greatsunflower.org/
WOW! Talk abt right up Stingers alley-eh?
You plant some sunflower seeds that you are sent and record how many bees are visiting your sunflowers per half hour and send it back into them to record......Stinger will love this! GREAT Project :)
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Monday, May 19, 2008
Saturday, May 17, 2008
2 More Weeks!!! WHOOT!!!!
Well We are almost there...man-We did it! WHOOT! Mommy doing the happy dance!!!LOLOLOLOL
We have already finished one course-any guesses as to what it was???? HISTORY! LOLOLOLOLOL. We started on The Revolutionary War on Friday and you know Stinger-he was a bundle of questions and I said okay-lets just read the story-LOLOLOLOL. So we took abt 2hours and talked abt things and what should have taken us a week-we finished in a day-LOLOLOL. It was soo funny too.....he just kept saying-"Keep going Mom, keep going!"
This weekend he was reinacting with Flamingo and Billy too-it was SOOOO funny to hear and watch! They were all outside playing and Flamingo and Billy were on a side and then him. Im not sure who was who, but I heard Stinger singing Hale to England things-LOLOLOLOL -So I guess he was English?;)LOLOLOL He got his wagon and tied things to it-put the rocking horse on top and hooked it to a bike and was trailing it ard-I guess this was his army? LOLOLOLOL. Then they all three were having sword fights outside-LOLOLOLOL. It was soo funny to watch. They were all playing so well and having a great time.
They got sunburnt even though I put sun block on them-but I dont think they even too any notice-LOLOLOL
We even got out the sprinkler and they had so much fun jumping in it and then laying on teh grass with their towels :) Today was a good day.
I love days like that when at the end of the day you look back and can only smile:)
And I cant help but think everything is tied into having Stinger at home. He's getting along and PLAYING with Flamingo and Monkey Boy. Sometimes Monkey boy gets to him though-I really think its the 5 yr old messies deal-ya know how at that age boys are so messy and not really clean-LOLOL, and they dont really care, well it drives Stinger nuts-LOLOOLOLOL. He has a fit abt him all the time.
But when I look back at how things used to be I stop and say...hmmm... our house isnt like that any more....me being so tense and sad all the time, fighting and argueing with Stinger, not letting him be out of my sight. Yes, we still have our days...but its not EVERY day now-like it was. He's talking more, he's showing remorse more, he's playing outside of his room more, hes talking about how he feels with words now-just so many things are on the whole better ard here-its amazing.
I will give you an example. Stinger has always had a hard time thinking of anything besides his own needs and wants, and doesnt remember to think abt how other feel abt things or notice how others are reacting to things ard him etc. Well today Daddy Bear and Stinger were out doing errands and they come home with a vase of flowers :) Stinger gives them to me and hugs me and says "I love you Mom" :) Later on I find out he had told Daddy Bear that he wanted to go to the flower store instead of Burger King. WOW!!!! THIS just blew me away!!!!Stinge rchossing Mommy flowers instead of Burger King! Unheard of! LOLOLOLOL Just melted my heart when I heard that!
But see its little things like that that show me he is growing into the caring boy that he truly is. The one that some refused to see....He's just needed some help to get there is all. Since he is home now more Daddy Bear and I can see when he gets stuck and we can help him now. So he isnt stuck for long.
I know this has been the best choice I have ever made for him-and it really shows.
Ive been not posting as much and you can probably guess why-homeschool researching-LOLOLOLOL
I have decided to go ahead and get Language Art books too-so as of now THIS is the Final List: subject to change at any second or moment in time-LOLOL;)
HISTORY 4 ---> Abeka
SCIENCE 4 ---> Abeka
MATH 3 ---> Bob Jones
ENGLISH 2 ---> Houghton Mifflin(these looked a little more interesting and easier to understand than Abeka)
READING 2 ---> Abeka (Hidden Treasures)-this looks really fun :)
HEALTH 4 ---> Abeka
--------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL= $42. 00 GOOD DEAL-eh?????
Anyway-this is what I have decide on doing-Ive gone over EVERY curriculum sample page I think that is out there, every manufacture-LOLOLOL...ugh.... and these I feel will be the most suited to what Stinger needs-and have I mentioned before that I am SOOO excited and that it is really too fun getting to tailor make his curriculum-how COOL is that???!!!LOLOLOL
Anyway-thats what has been going on. My garden is starting to sprout FINALLY! I was so worried that they had all gone to pot with the freezing nights we had.....but it looks liek they are a hardy bunch;) LOLOLOL I have planted Watermellon and Cantalope now too -WHOOT! Funny-but I found some lettuse sprouts that have started to come up from last years crop-LOLOLOL
Granmaw down the road let me have some of her flowers and I planted them in the front along with my tulips and daffodils. She gave me some pretty pansies, sunflowers, and bell things that are blue, and a bunch of other things that I have no idea what they are...they arent doing so well.....I dont know if Im supposed to water them or not-so when they started drooping -well I guess I was supposed to water them huh? -LOOLOLOL, so Ive started to water them but I dont know if Ive blown it -to little to late-kwim? O-well-we shall see I guess....
But Im LOVIN' the weather...ahhhhhhhhhhh- just lovin' it!
We have already finished one course-any guesses as to what it was???? HISTORY! LOLOLOLOLOL. We started on The Revolutionary War on Friday and you know Stinger-he was a bundle of questions and I said okay-lets just read the story-LOLOLOLOL. So we took abt 2hours and talked abt things and what should have taken us a week-we finished in a day-LOLOLOL. It was soo funny too.....he just kept saying-"Keep going Mom, keep going!"
This weekend he was reinacting with Flamingo and Billy too-it was SOOOO funny to hear and watch! They were all outside playing and Flamingo and Billy were on a side and then him. Im not sure who was who, but I heard Stinger singing Hale to England things-LOLOLOLOL -So I guess he was English?;)LOLOLOL He got his wagon and tied things to it-put the rocking horse on top and hooked it to a bike and was trailing it ard-I guess this was his army? LOLOLOLOL. Then they all three were having sword fights outside-LOLOLOLOL. It was soo funny to watch. They were all playing so well and having a great time.
They got sunburnt even though I put sun block on them-but I dont think they even too any notice-LOLOLOL
We even got out the sprinkler and they had so much fun jumping in it and then laying on teh grass with their towels :) Today was a good day.
I love days like that when at the end of the day you look back and can only smile:)
And I cant help but think everything is tied into having Stinger at home. He's getting along and PLAYING with Flamingo and Monkey Boy. Sometimes Monkey boy gets to him though-I really think its the 5 yr old messies deal-ya know how at that age boys are so messy and not really clean-LOLOL, and they dont really care, well it drives Stinger nuts-LOLOOLOLOL. He has a fit abt him all the time.
But when I look back at how things used to be I stop and say...hmmm... our house isnt like that any more....me being so tense and sad all the time, fighting and argueing with Stinger, not letting him be out of my sight. Yes, we still have our days...but its not EVERY day now-like it was. He's talking more, he's showing remorse more, he's playing outside of his room more, hes talking about how he feels with words now-just so many things are on the whole better ard here-its amazing.
I will give you an example. Stinger has always had a hard time thinking of anything besides his own needs and wants, and doesnt remember to think abt how other feel abt things or notice how others are reacting to things ard him etc. Well today Daddy Bear and Stinger were out doing errands and they come home with a vase of flowers :) Stinger gives them to me and hugs me and says "I love you Mom" :) Later on I find out he had told Daddy Bear that he wanted to go to the flower store instead of Burger King. WOW!!!! THIS just blew me away!!!!Stinge rchossing Mommy flowers instead of Burger King! Unheard of! LOLOLOLOL Just melted my heart when I heard that!
But see its little things like that that show me he is growing into the caring boy that he truly is. The one that some refused to see....He's just needed some help to get there is all. Since he is home now more Daddy Bear and I can see when he gets stuck and we can help him now. So he isnt stuck for long.
I know this has been the best choice I have ever made for him-and it really shows.
Ive been not posting as much and you can probably guess why-homeschool researching-LOLOLOLOL
I have decided to go ahead and get Language Art books too-so as of now THIS is the Final List: subject to change at any second or moment in time-LOLOL;)
HISTORY 4 ---> Abeka
SCIENCE 4 ---> Abeka
MATH 3 ---> Bob Jones
ENGLISH 2 ---> Houghton Mifflin(these looked a little more interesting and easier to understand than Abeka)
READING 2 ---> Abeka (Hidden Treasures)-this looks really fun :)
HEALTH 4 ---> Abeka
--------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL= $42. 00 GOOD DEAL-eh?????
Anyway-this is what I have decide on doing-Ive gone over EVERY curriculum sample page I think that is out there, every manufacture-LOLOLOL...ugh.... and these I feel will be the most suited to what Stinger needs-and have I mentioned before that I am SOOO excited and that it is really too fun getting to tailor make his curriculum-how COOL is that???!!!LOLOLOL
Anyway-thats what has been going on. My garden is starting to sprout FINALLY! I was so worried that they had all gone to pot with the freezing nights we had.....but it looks liek they are a hardy bunch;) LOLOLOL I have planted Watermellon and Cantalope now too -WHOOT! Funny-but I found some lettuse sprouts that have started to come up from last years crop-LOLOLOL
Granmaw down the road let me have some of her flowers and I planted them in the front along with my tulips and daffodils. She gave me some pretty pansies, sunflowers, and bell things that are blue, and a bunch of other things that I have no idea what they are...they arent doing so well.....I dont know if Im supposed to water them or not-so when they started drooping -well I guess I was supposed to water them huh? -LOOLOLOL, so Ive started to water them but I dont know if Ive blown it -to little to late-kwim? O-well-we shall see I guess....
But Im LOVIN' the weather...ahhhhhhhhhhh- just lovin' it!
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Happy Mothers Day :)
When God planted his garden
When the wise God planted His garden,
scattering the seeds from above,
The choicest seed in His packet
Was the flower of Mother-love.
Carefully watched o'er and tended,
Nurtured by sunshine and shower,
Ever growing sturdy and stronger,
It blooms-a beautiful flower.
A flower so sweet and entrancing,
Dazzling and shining and white,
A love that guards us and guides us
Through hfe~our beacon light.
A love that steadies our footsteps,
That stretches a helpful hand,
That comforts our sorrows and heartaches,
That always will understand.
Mother-love, God's gift to His children,
With heavenly fragrance fraught;
The brightest flower in God's garden,
His truest forget-me-not.
Happy Mothers Day to all the wonderful Mothers out there :)Hope you get spoiled today ;)
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Brush it off Momma Bear.....again.....
Well its come up again on a list I am apart of..."Its your kids fault" thing-the usual......and on a homeschool group too......sigh......
1. The poor professionals and administers who have to put up with some kids
2. Parents are the ones who are at fault as they dont back the school teachers
3. Parents arent involved enough
4. Everyone Ive been in contact with has been soooo nice....ugh....
One lady made a comment abt someone I had come into contact with at Mckinley. Saying this person was the reason she now homeschooled. I wrote in telling my experiances abt this person too and how we had been treated-very similar to the first lady-and now people are just getting all upset-LOLOLOLOL
Seams we had known two entirely different people-a special needs Principle and a typical child principle.
The thing that really got to me was "In all the years I had known them-never was I treated that way." Basically saying its the parents fault and we arent willing to "work" with the school" She even went on to say if she was principle the kids would get more than a yelling at....oh...made me soo upset.......
It ticked me off to say the least that someone who had absolutely NO idea what she was talking about was making something so concerning to me sound so trivial. Its like that lady at church with the comments abt kids just needing a good spanking.
Why is it that comments like that just REALLY upset me-it make me feel so hateful inside-and I dont have a hateful bone in my body-usually.....LOLOLOL It makes me not even want to be ard people-THOSE people especially.
Anyway-I wroet back after I had gottenall upset and now I can only imagine what the list will look like tomorrow. I Just cant seam to brush this stuff off like I can most things.....
Makes me TOTALLY understand why Stinger is SOOOOOOO apprehensive abt people in general. I tell ya I totally see things through his eyes lately.. and I get it......People can be so crule and its heartbreaking to know that Stinger has probably come across most of these people.... probably more than any one should......probably more than I will ever know. Why when he sees someoen-anyone-he automatically thinks they are looking at him weird, or are saying something mean about him. He just thinks everyone is the "bad guy" and everyone ha sit in for him....:(
Kids can be cruel too-I dont even want to talk abt the stories Flamingo comes home with and tells me.....:( But we grownups, we should be different-we should know better...and yet we dont....thats what is REALLY sad....
Its just one more reason in my mind for me to not push him out there-like everyone says I should.....
1. The poor professionals and administers who have to put up with some kids
2. Parents are the ones who are at fault as they dont back the school teachers
3. Parents arent involved enough
4. Everyone Ive been in contact with has been soooo nice....ugh....
One lady made a comment abt someone I had come into contact with at Mckinley. Saying this person was the reason she now homeschooled. I wrote in telling my experiances abt this person too and how we had been treated-very similar to the first lady-and now people are just getting all upset-LOLOLOLOL
Seams we had known two entirely different people-a special needs Principle and a typical child principle.
The thing that really got to me was "In all the years I had known them-never was I treated that way." Basically saying its the parents fault and we arent willing to "work" with the school" She even went on to say if she was principle the kids would get more than a yelling at....oh...made me soo upset.......
It ticked me off to say the least that someone who had absolutely NO idea what she was talking about was making something so concerning to me sound so trivial. Its like that lady at church with the comments abt kids just needing a good spanking.
Why is it that comments like that just REALLY upset me-it make me feel so hateful inside-and I dont have a hateful bone in my body-usually.....LOLOLOL It makes me not even want to be ard people-THOSE people especially.
Anyway-I wroet back after I had gottenall upset and now I can only imagine what the list will look like tomorrow. I Just cant seam to brush this stuff off like I can most things.....
Makes me TOTALLY understand why Stinger is SOOOOOOO apprehensive abt people in general. I tell ya I totally see things through his eyes lately.. and I get it......People can be so crule and its heartbreaking to know that Stinger has probably come across most of these people.... probably more than any one should......probably more than I will ever know. Why when he sees someoen-anyone-he automatically thinks they are looking at him weird, or are saying something mean about him. He just thinks everyone is the "bad guy" and everyone ha sit in for him....:(
Kids can be cruel too-I dont even want to talk abt the stories Flamingo comes home with and tells me.....:( But we grownups, we should be different-we should know better...and yet we dont....thats what is REALLY sad....
Its just one more reason in my mind for me to not push him out there-like everyone says I should.....
Friday, May 02, 2008
A Decision...Finally...:)
Okay everyone-I think I have got it all figured out here :)
I have def decided on a Christian Curriculum. So I went online and went to the Abeka sight. I had previously not really looked into them as I had thought they were expensive-but they arent. And since I have already seen the Science book from a friend I have decided on Abeka Science. They have words highlighted and bold for vocab words, review questions at the end of each section and summaries at the beginning-not to mention not a bunch of twaddle;)( useless info talk in most textbooks)plus alot of really nice pictures all throughout it-Stinger will really enjoy it. We can sit down together and just READ-its going to be sooo much nicer than K12 was....
History- I was going to go Bob Jones until I saw and its alot more of reading-along with their Science-so I went back to Abeka and its set up just the same way as their Science book is-and its got TIMELINES!!!OH won't Stinger be pleased!!!! He's always asking me when and where and who and what and what was first etc-EVERY DAY.....wars, people and Im just not that great at that! . So it would be perfect for us. Grade 4 is abt setting up the US til present-so Stinger will totally enjoy it too :)K-so History I have chosen Abeka too :)
SO I naturally was thinking Id get Abeka Math too-but I looked up the core and index and samples and its a little advanced for our level right now--Bob Jones will be much better for him-It details each and every step and its in color-not like Christian Liberty's. So we will be doing Bob Jones Math.
And the best part of all of this is that I can get them at a REALLY good price on that used textbook websight! WHOOT!!!!!
So alls to do now is order them! WHOOT!!!! and send in my affidavid on my decision to homeschool to the school district. Then we are GOOD TO GO!!!!!!!...*big sigh of relief*
Ah.......it feels so good to be decided on and stop the wondering and worrying about what to do.
Darn Medicaid. What a headache. I just got a letter in the mail that our spendown is going to cost $899 this month as there are 3 paychecks in May. And they notify me.....TODAY........!!!!So I had to go and cancel everything all home visits, and behavior in home visits for this month. I have no idea what they are costing Medicaid, but I know we couldnt afford them if we werent on it...so I chose to just pass this month...How messed up is that? So I'll need to call in to the eligibility office at the end of May and everything will go back to normal-hopefully. How messed up is that! Its not like we will have an extra paycheck just floating ard-yeah there are three paydays-but they coinside with all of our normal bills that are at the beginning and end of the month etc--so stupid. Anyway........and we are right in the middle of our paper work being going over for our annual review.....they are such a headache-I dont even want to talk abt THAT process-them loosing my papers...certain people not sending certain papers in..deadlines....LOLOL-its totally not organised....so its no surprise I have no idea what the heck is going on month to month.....anyway......sigh.....Hopefully things will be right back to being confusing as usual come June...;)LOLOLOL
Oh-and I think my 4 rows out in the garden are duds :( I think they should have poked up by now......darn freezing weather at night......o-well-at least Ive got school all settled for next year! :)LOLOLOLOL
I have def decided on a Christian Curriculum. So I went online and went to the Abeka sight. I had previously not really looked into them as I had thought they were expensive-but they arent. And since I have already seen the Science book from a friend I have decided on Abeka Science. They have words highlighted and bold for vocab words, review questions at the end of each section and summaries at the beginning-not to mention not a bunch of twaddle;)( useless info talk in most textbooks)plus alot of really nice pictures all throughout it-Stinger will really enjoy it. We can sit down together and just READ-its going to be sooo much nicer than K12 was....
History- I was going to go Bob Jones until I saw and its alot more of reading-along with their Science-so I went back to Abeka and its set up just the same way as their Science book is-and its got TIMELINES!!!OH won't Stinger be pleased!!!! He's always asking me when and where and who and what and what was first etc-EVERY DAY.....wars, people and Im just not that great at that! . So it would be perfect for us. Grade 4 is abt setting up the US til present-so Stinger will totally enjoy it too :)K-so History I have chosen Abeka too :)
SO I naturally was thinking Id get Abeka Math too-but I looked up the core and index and samples and its a little advanced for our level right now--Bob Jones will be much better for him-It details each and every step and its in color-not like Christian Liberty's. So we will be doing Bob Jones Math.
And the best part of all of this is that I can get them at a REALLY good price on that used textbook websight! WHOOT!!!!!
So alls to do now is order them! WHOOT!!!! and send in my affidavid on my decision to homeschool to the school district. Then we are GOOD TO GO!!!!!!!...*big sigh of relief*
Ah.......it feels so good to be decided on and stop the wondering and worrying about what to do.
Darn Medicaid. What a headache. I just got a letter in the mail that our spendown is going to cost $899 this month as there are 3 paychecks in May. And they notify me.....TODAY........!!!!So I had to go and cancel everything all home visits, and behavior in home visits for this month. I have no idea what they are costing Medicaid, but I know we couldnt afford them if we werent on it...so I chose to just pass this month...How messed up is that? So I'll need to call in to the eligibility office at the end of May and everything will go back to normal-hopefully. How messed up is that! Its not like we will have an extra paycheck just floating ard-yeah there are three paydays-but they coinside with all of our normal bills that are at the beginning and end of the month etc--so stupid. Anyway........and we are right in the middle of our paper work being going over for our annual review.....they are such a headache-I dont even want to talk abt THAT process-them loosing my papers...certain people not sending certain papers in..deadlines....LOLOL-its totally not organised....so its no surprise I have no idea what the heck is going on month to month.....anyway......sigh.....Hopefully things will be right back to being confusing as usual come June...;)LOLOLOL
Oh-and I think my 4 rows out in the garden are duds :( I think they should have poked up by now......darn freezing weather at night......o-well-at least Ive got school all settled for next year! :)LOLOLOLOL
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
More Homeschool Stuff......and Tonights Game
Okay-well I think I have finally come to the realization that Im just going to HAVE to get student texts for Science, History and Math.
I talked with Flamingos Girl Scout troup leader-and she homeschools all of her kids. She is using Christian Liberty Press. They have REALLY good prices, but Ive always just not been sure abt the content of the books-if it would be dry, or interesting-kwim? So GS Leader brought out some of her kids Texts and I LOVE them! COOL -eh? Her daughter is in the 4th grade-so I saw the actual textbook that Stinger would be using-and I must say I was impressed. Not too much reading and wonderful pictures and content. Plus its a Christian Curriculum-which would be awesome. I talked it over with Dh and we will probably be using them for History, Science, and Math.
I also found a really cool sight today. http://www.thebackpack.com/used_math_textbooks.htm
I called them too and they said they made sure that there were no written marks and water damaged pages etc-if there were you would just return them and they'd send out another. REALLY good prices too-for like $10. REALLY good books too-like McGraw, Bob Jones, Scott Foresman, Macmillan, and Houghton-all VERY good NICE books. They are truly my favorite-but not Christian based. I just LOVE their content-beautiful books which are ususally ard $75 or even higher. So I could use these used older addition books( which really have the same content as the newer addition except history, and I know Stinger would like them, etc. Stinger loves his Math workbook-its like not even doing worksheets-kwim? Thats what I love abt these-they are FUN.
So anyway-Im still undecided on what books to use......any advice?
Flamingo won her game tonight-They won-6-4. She got 3 of the goals-but she also gave the other team a goal when she was goaly and her drop kick went back into the goal box-it was tooo funny!LOLOL-hehe;)She just shrugged and laughed-LOLOLOL. Such a good natured girl-eh?
Monkey Boy was making friends left and right on the playground and Stinger was in the car the whole time....nothing new. But I think we all had our own fun in our own way-kwim? LOLOLOL-Funny-eh?
Flamingo is getting really good at Soccer:)Much better than last year-its so much fun to watch her play :)
I talked with Flamingos Girl Scout troup leader-and she homeschools all of her kids. She is using Christian Liberty Press. They have REALLY good prices, but Ive always just not been sure abt the content of the books-if it would be dry, or interesting-kwim? So GS Leader brought out some of her kids Texts and I LOVE them! COOL -eh? Her daughter is in the 4th grade-so I saw the actual textbook that Stinger would be using-and I must say I was impressed. Not too much reading and wonderful pictures and content. Plus its a Christian Curriculum-which would be awesome. I talked it over with Dh and we will probably be using them for History, Science, and Math.
I also found a really cool sight today. http://www.thebackpack.com/used_math_textbooks.htm
I called them too and they said they made sure that there were no written marks and water damaged pages etc-if there were you would just return them and they'd send out another. REALLY good prices too-for like $10. REALLY good books too-like McGraw, Bob Jones, Scott Foresman, Macmillan, and Houghton-all VERY good NICE books. They are truly my favorite-but not Christian based. I just LOVE their content-beautiful books which are ususally ard $75 or even higher. So I could use these used older addition books( which really have the same content as the newer addition except history, and I know Stinger would like them, etc. Stinger loves his Math workbook-its like not even doing worksheets-kwim? Thats what I love abt these-they are FUN.
So anyway-Im still undecided on what books to use......any advice?
Flamingo won her game tonight-They won-6-4. She got 3 of the goals-but she also gave the other team a goal when she was goaly and her drop kick went back into the goal box-it was tooo funny!LOLOL-hehe;)She just shrugged and laughed-LOLOLOL. Such a good natured girl-eh?
Monkey Boy was making friends left and right on the playground and Stinger was in the car the whole time....nothing new. But I think we all had our own fun in our own way-kwim? LOLOLOL-Funny-eh?
Flamingo is getting really good at Soccer:)Much better than last year-its so much fun to watch her play :)
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Eigh-Yie-Yigh
Ive abt gone through everything out there-My eyes are abt to pop out of my skull-LOLOLOL
So here's the deal- Bob Jones box curriculum is what I REALLY REALLY want to do....but its not really in our budget right now...next year when we can plan better-yes.......anyway....so Ive opted to try and put together some things and see if I can get a curriculum together-if its better than K12-well than we will do mine -If I just cant do it-then K12 it will be.....
So THATS what Ive been doing lately-looking at EVERYTHINg-and going nutso in the process...wow-hard work!
K-this is what I have so far:
PHONICS-Phonics Skills and Stategies Gr. 2
READING-take home books(cut out and staple)
-vocab practise in books
-sun series books 6(short stories)
-beginning reading practise workbook
HANDWRITING-Handwriting Practise book-Gr 2
-Swirls and Curls made up pages-writing practise etc
Grammer/Spelling-Word Wall sheets
-Grammer Practise book Gr 2
-Primary Analogies
-Reading-Everything practise pages
-Reading Comprehension Helpers workbooks
History/Geography-Atlas of The World book
******need more History Curr***********
Science-Science Journal pages
-Student Research books(vocab, story,activity) Houghton/Mif
-Investigation workbook
-Vocab workbook
*******need more Science Curr*************
Math-Math Minutes
-Concepts workbook
******need more Math Curr***********
Character Building-Book of Virtues(on tape)
-Learning Bible
-Family Faith Treasury
-Precious Truths book
k-so thats what Ive got so far........What do you think? I just cant seam to find anything I like for History, Science, or Math-I may just have to get the workbooks on those ones online.....???
History and Science Ive got to be really picky and choosey with as these are Stingers Favorites and Math is a little on the tough side-so Its got to be good too......and not just a bunch of problesm fr him to do-kwim? decisions...... decisions......
Ive foind a couple of Science and History online through the major book companies-Houghton /Mif, and Mcgraw Hill-I really like those...but they are online...so.......I really want some good texts we can dig into......so Ill keep digging.....
But I could use the Child Craft books/ encyclopedias also-Ive got a whole set from Papa and Nana :)So Ill have to look into that too......that might could work......Hmmmmmmmmmm.......;)LOLOLOL
So here's the deal- Bob Jones box curriculum is what I REALLY REALLY want to do....but its not really in our budget right now...next year when we can plan better-yes.......anyway....so Ive opted to try and put together some things and see if I can get a curriculum together-if its better than K12-well than we will do mine -If I just cant do it-then K12 it will be.....
So THATS what Ive been doing lately-looking at EVERYTHINg-and going nutso in the process...wow-hard work!
K-this is what I have so far:
PHONICS-Phonics Skills and Stategies Gr. 2
READING-take home books(cut out and staple)
-vocab practise in books
-sun series books 6(short stories)
-beginning reading practise workbook
HANDWRITING-Handwriting Practise book-Gr 2
-Swirls and Curls made up pages-writing practise etc
Grammer/Spelling-Word Wall sheets
-Grammer Practise book Gr 2
-Primary Analogies
-Reading-Everything practise pages
-Reading Comprehension Helpers workbooks
History/Geography-Atlas of The World book
******need more History Curr***********
Science-Science Journal pages
-Student Research books(vocab, story,activity) Houghton/Mif
-Investigation workbook
-Vocab workbook
*******need more Science Curr*************
Math-Math Minutes
-Concepts workbook
******need more Math Curr***********
Character Building-Book of Virtues(on tape)
-Learning Bible
-Family Faith Treasury
-Precious Truths book
k-so thats what Ive got so far........What do you think? I just cant seam to find anything I like for History, Science, or Math-I may just have to get the workbooks on those ones online.....???
History and Science Ive got to be really picky and choosey with as these are Stingers Favorites and Math is a little on the tough side-so Its got to be good too......and not just a bunch of problesm fr him to do-kwim? decisions...... decisions......
Ive foind a couple of Science and History online through the major book companies-Houghton /Mif, and Mcgraw Hill-I really like those...but they are online...so.......I really want some good texts we can dig into......so Ill keep digging.....
But I could use the Child Craft books/ encyclopedias also-Ive got a whole set from Papa and Nana :)So Ill have to look into that too......that might could work......Hmmmmmmmmmm.......;)LOLOLOL
Friday, April 18, 2008
Oh NICE-JUST what we need......sigh....
Well it looks like we wont be with K12 next year.
Mrs C.(The Principle in charge of the district K12 Program) wrote everyone an email saying that they are required to teach "State Corriculum" so this year things will be going a bit differently. So for History and Science(our 2 biggest hits with K12)they will not be going through K12 any more. Once they have gotten a set up curriculum for all other courses they will be not offering K12 for them either.
Yes, of course they will have workbooks ONLINE and worksheets you can print off etc. NOTHING like K12 had were it was really hands on and loads of activities and extra stuff that we could delve into. Plus everything woudl be lame worksheets and online things- etc. It just seasm WAY lame and them just trying to save a buck by using their own stuff instead of forking out the $$ for a solid curriculum like K12. ButI REALLY hate the idea of online workbooks etc-yuck. Stinger and I usually do everything on the floor and with K12 it was simple as we had workbooks to follow with -Id just retell everything and hed lok at teh worksheets and pictures that we had in front of us etc. I dont think Stinger would care for up to the computer all school day with thee two subjects he loved learning about.
So Im totally bummed. Her we were actually getting to the point of liking this curriculum, getting used to it, and now we have to look for something else.
I asked Dh, "So do we want to try just this one year and see what they have-or totally switch to something new?" He said very quickly, " Just switch." He said he doesnt trust them and their idea of what a state core should be etc....
So I guess I know what Ill be doing.....LOLOLOL
Im actually excited abt it-maybe this was what I needed to have something MAKE me let loose of the Brick and Morter school for Stinger. Then we can pick and choose what curriculum would be best in each subject for him-which would be really neat. This is what Ive come up with so far:
Math-TouchMath-2nd grade
Science-library/more nature-Charlotte Mason type learning....colorful worksheets/pictures-4th grade
History/Geography-library/timelines-characters/projects-4th grade
Language-lots of reading/stories-2nd grade
Phonics-2nd grade-letter tiles/boards etc...games...
Handwriting-2nd grade
Art-incorporate with other day lessons,Enchanted Learning
Okay-this is just off the top of my head-Ive got TUNZ of stuff to go through again for the zillionth time.......LOLOLOL
Id REALLY like a whole package curriculum-well one that could outline lessons each day for me etc....that way we wouldn't get off track....
I dont know-I DO know Ive got a whole lot of research to do......
Mrs C.(The Principle in charge of the district K12 Program) wrote everyone an email saying that they are required to teach "State Corriculum" so this year things will be going a bit differently. So for History and Science(our 2 biggest hits with K12)they will not be going through K12 any more. Once they have gotten a set up curriculum for all other courses they will be not offering K12 for them either.
Yes, of course they will have workbooks ONLINE and worksheets you can print off etc. NOTHING like K12 had were it was really hands on and loads of activities and extra stuff that we could delve into. Plus everything woudl be lame worksheets and online things- etc. It just seasm WAY lame and them just trying to save a buck by using their own stuff instead of forking out the $$ for a solid curriculum like K12. ButI REALLY hate the idea of online workbooks etc-yuck. Stinger and I usually do everything on the floor and with K12 it was simple as we had workbooks to follow with -Id just retell everything and hed lok at teh worksheets and pictures that we had in front of us etc. I dont think Stinger would care for up to the computer all school day with thee two subjects he loved learning about.
So Im totally bummed. Her we were actually getting to the point of liking this curriculum, getting used to it, and now we have to look for something else.
I asked Dh, "So do we want to try just this one year and see what they have-or totally switch to something new?" He said very quickly, " Just switch." He said he doesnt trust them and their idea of what a state core should be etc....
So I guess I know what Ill be doing.....LOLOLOL
Im actually excited abt it-maybe this was what I needed to have something MAKE me let loose of the Brick and Morter school for Stinger. Then we can pick and choose what curriculum would be best in each subject for him-which would be really neat. This is what Ive come up with so far:
Math-TouchMath-2nd grade
Science-library/more nature-Charlotte Mason type learning....colorful worksheets/pictures-4th grade
History/Geography-library/timelines-characters/projects-4th grade
Language-lots of reading/stories-2nd grade
Phonics-2nd grade-letter tiles/boards etc...games...
Handwriting-2nd grade
Art-incorporate with other day lessons,Enchanted Learning
Okay-this is just off the top of my head-Ive got TUNZ of stuff to go through again for the zillionth time.......LOLOLOL
Id REALLY like a whole package curriculum-well one that could outline lessons each day for me etc....that way we wouldn't get off track....
I dont know-I DO know Ive got a whole lot of research to do......
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Testing......and Arrival of Some Tiny Critters :)
Well we loaded up to go to Brigham yet again this morning for the 15-30 min reading test.....can you say a WASTE of time....
And once again I had to explain to all the "testers" that Stinger needed me to stay in the room, that Stinger needed to have a divider/partition deal, needed to sit by himself etc...What-do they think I just make this stuff up? Hmmm Or MAYBEE I actually know what Im talking abt and these things will prevent problems not only for Stinger but the other children as well-eh? UGH-FRUSTRATING-for the Zillionth time...
So they walk away and go on and do the "whisper and looking deal in the corner" as Im rolling my eyes Im sure....They walk over abt to say something to me and I say "You know Ive spoken to Mrs C.(She is the Principle for the district and in charge of the K12 program run by it)abt all of this and she has assured me that its NOT a problem-so maybee you should call HER.
Basically my relationship with Mrs C started from the very beginning when I was questioning the districts policy on not supplying modififications for testing and IEP services etc-I called K12 they were very concerned and they called her and she called back and was more than willing to work with me then....;)Anyway-Mrs M( our supplied teacher)goes out of her way to help us-and so does Mrs C-but these other "testers" ...ugh-and thats who was there today....
Having to go through this each and every time starts me really not liking K12 and wanting to not do it again next year....But I talked with Stinger and he doesnt want to change to anything different-even if it means no more testing...so....change=bad as we all know......:)We'll proba be sticking with it. But the "you are just a parent" mentality and " I know more abt your child as Im the REAL teacher" attitude gets old REAL quick.
Stinger did Awesome! Like I knew he would. So we stopped off at the gas station for a pop and treat :)Thats our after test deal ard here :)So I was proud of him and upset at the testers...LOLOLOLOL
You know I just dont get it-he "supposedly" is in the Public School System still. He "supposedly" is to be getting IEP services and modifications, yet hissy fits are thrown by all when I want to stay in the room? Rediculous...okay change of subject......
ANTS-LOLOLOL
THEY CAME TODAY!!!!!! WHOOT!Stinger was sooo pleased. :) He's been waiting for them since he got his ant farms at X-Mas. But due to Utah weather they had a hold on them till it started to warm up. Abt 1/2 of them were dead on arrival-but they are really big and really neat to look at. Stinger is really enjoying them. We are watching Ant Wars on Tv on the Animal Planit as we speak-LOLOL. Cool-eh? Again-Im learning right along with my little guy. He cracks me up. He named the first ant to move through the tube George Washington.LOLOLOL He was in his room playing and I noticed an ant had made it across the tube to the other joining ant farm.( hes got two he has joined together with joining tubes) I said "Look Stinger- George got to the other side and went in the other ant farm!" He got up and looked and he said "Oh no Mom-thats not George -thats Christopher-Christopher Columbus."LOLOL-what a hoot-eh? As he was first to discover the other ant farm...LOLOLOL well duh Mom! LOLOLOLOLOL Too funny!
He told me the others were just ordinary-he calls them ordinary ants, but the ones that are brave and explorers have names...LOLOLOL Excellent ones-dont you think?
And once again I had to explain to all the "testers" that Stinger needed me to stay in the room, that Stinger needed to have a divider/partition deal, needed to sit by himself etc...What-do they think I just make this stuff up? Hmmm Or MAYBEE I actually know what Im talking abt and these things will prevent problems not only for Stinger but the other children as well-eh? UGH-FRUSTRATING-for the Zillionth time...
So they walk away and go on and do the "whisper and looking deal in the corner" as Im rolling my eyes Im sure....They walk over abt to say something to me and I say "You know Ive spoken to Mrs C.(She is the Principle for the district and in charge of the K12 program run by it)abt all of this and she has assured me that its NOT a problem-so maybee you should call HER.
Basically my relationship with Mrs C started from the very beginning when I was questioning the districts policy on not supplying modififications for testing and IEP services etc-I called K12 they were very concerned and they called her and she called back and was more than willing to work with me then....;)Anyway-Mrs M( our supplied teacher)goes out of her way to help us-and so does Mrs C-but these other "testers" ...ugh-and thats who was there today....
Having to go through this each and every time starts me really not liking K12 and wanting to not do it again next year....But I talked with Stinger and he doesnt want to change to anything different-even if it means no more testing...so....change=bad as we all know......:)We'll proba be sticking with it. But the "you are just a parent" mentality and " I know more abt your child as Im the REAL teacher" attitude gets old REAL quick.
Stinger did Awesome! Like I knew he would. So we stopped off at the gas station for a pop and treat :)Thats our after test deal ard here :)So I was proud of him and upset at the testers...LOLOLOLOL
You know I just dont get it-he "supposedly" is in the Public School System still. He "supposedly" is to be getting IEP services and modifications, yet hissy fits are thrown by all when I want to stay in the room? Rediculous...okay change of subject......
ANTS-LOLOLOL
THEY CAME TODAY!!!!!! WHOOT!Stinger was sooo pleased. :) He's been waiting for them since he got his ant farms at X-Mas. But due to Utah weather they had a hold on them till it started to warm up. Abt 1/2 of them were dead on arrival-but they are really big and really neat to look at. Stinger is really enjoying them. We are watching Ant Wars on Tv on the Animal Planit as we speak-LOLOL. Cool-eh? Again-Im learning right along with my little guy. He cracks me up. He named the first ant to move through the tube George Washington.LOLOLOL He was in his room playing and I noticed an ant had made it across the tube to the other joining ant farm.( hes got two he has joined together with joining tubes) I said "Look Stinger- George got to the other side and went in the other ant farm!" He got up and looked and he said "Oh no Mom-thats not George -thats Christopher-Christopher Columbus."LOLOL-what a hoot-eh? As he was first to discover the other ant farm...LOLOLOL well duh Mom! LOLOLOLOLOL Too funny!
He told me the others were just ordinary-he calls them ordinary ants, but the ones that are brave and explorers have names...LOLOLOL Excellent ones-dont you think?
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Devotion-Renewed Thinking
Okay really interesting how I get these articles at just the right time. The Lord really does provide in our time of need-eh?
RENEWED THINKING AND SOFT HEARTS
by Suzanne Benner
"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off
your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be
made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self,
created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness" (Ephesians 4:22
-- 24).
"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind..." (Romans 12:2).
God's Word tells us that we will be transformed if we renew our minds,
but how exactly do we change our thinking or "be made new in the
attitude of our minds"?
The process begins by asking ourselves what lies we have believed.
Think about worry for example -- we all know that we shouldn't worry, but
just telling ourselves to stop worrying doesn't seem to work.
Instead ask yourself "What lie do I believe that causes me to worry?"
? Do I believe that God will not provide?
? Do I believe that God won't give me good gifts?
? Do I believe that God won't give me what I want?
These questions guided me to a startling discovery: I don't have a
problem with worry at all -- I have a problem with surrender! The
realization dawned on me that I didn't trust God to provide for me because it
might not be what I would choose. That also meant that I didn't believe
that God knows better than me what I need.
After discovering the lies, replace them with the truth from the Bible:
? God will provide. (Philippians 4:19)
? God is the giver of good gifts. (James 1:17)
? I need to trust God, not myself. (Proverbs 3:5)
? I need to submit to God. (James 4:7)
In this way, renewing our minds will change our behavior.
Yet, as we saw last week, the problem is not in our minds alone, but
also in our hearts. Therefore, as renewed minds must replace futile
thinking, so soft hearts need to replace hardened ones.
Three times the writer of Hebrews repeats, "Today, if you hear his
voice, do not harden your hearts" (3:7; 3:15; 4:7).
Why do we harden our hearts?
Daniel, in talking about King Nebuchadnezzar, tells us, "...his heart
became arrogant and hardened with pride..." (Daniel 5:20).
Thus when God shows us something, we cannot push it aside thinking it's
not important or it's too painful to deal with or He's asking too
much. We must respond to God's nudging, humble ourselves and repent in
order to keep our hearts soft.
Therefore a behavior problem is a mind problem and a mind problem is a
heart problem.
RENEWED THINKING AND SOFT HEARTS
by Suzanne Benner
"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off
your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be
made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self,
created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness" (Ephesians 4:22
-- 24).
"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind..." (Romans 12:2).
God's Word tells us that we will be transformed if we renew our minds,
but how exactly do we change our thinking or "be made new in the
attitude of our minds"?
The process begins by asking ourselves what lies we have believed.
Think about worry for example -- we all know that we shouldn't worry, but
just telling ourselves to stop worrying doesn't seem to work.
Instead ask yourself "What lie do I believe that causes me to worry?"
? Do I believe that God will not provide?
? Do I believe that God won't give me good gifts?
? Do I believe that God won't give me what I want?
These questions guided me to a startling discovery: I don't have a
problem with worry at all -- I have a problem with surrender! The
realization dawned on me that I didn't trust God to provide for me because it
might not be what I would choose. That also meant that I didn't believe
that God knows better than me what I need.
After discovering the lies, replace them with the truth from the Bible:
? God will provide. (Philippians 4:19)
? God is the giver of good gifts. (James 1:17)
? I need to trust God, not myself. (Proverbs 3:5)
? I need to submit to God. (James 4:7)
In this way, renewing our minds will change our behavior.
Yet, as we saw last week, the problem is not in our minds alone, but
also in our hearts. Therefore, as renewed minds must replace futile
thinking, so soft hearts need to replace hardened ones.
Three times the writer of Hebrews repeats, "Today, if you hear his
voice, do not harden your hearts" (3:7; 3:15; 4:7).
Why do we harden our hearts?
Daniel, in talking about King Nebuchadnezzar, tells us, "...his heart
became arrogant and hardened with pride..." (Daniel 5:20).
Thus when God shows us something, we cannot push it aside thinking it's
not important or it's too painful to deal with or He's asking too
much. We must respond to God's nudging, humble ourselves and repent in
order to keep our hearts soft.
Therefore a behavior problem is a mind problem and a mind problem is a
heart problem.
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