The Back Pack Search

The Back Pack Search...............we all do it. Whether you are a working parent away from the home, or from the home, the routine is the same, but the hour may differ. After school, you approach your beloved child, arms ready for that warm embrace, and as you offer that “I love you” hug and kiss, you ask “How was your day?” Yet, this is when all “normality” ends, as the means to respond differs, the spectrum is vast, as all children are dissimilar in their response. At age 8.5, Nash’s details vary; “I had a good day! No Strikes! " I may get "I played kickball and for lunch ate chicken poppers.” But, for most kids without a disability, what would a “typical” (eh, what is that anyway) response be to a parent’s question of “[h]ow was your day?” Maybe it would include some of the stressors of third graders I found online … a discussion of the nuances of multiplication, a discourse about fashion trends, pop culture. But whatever the response, it would be. Verbal. With many, many words…and description....or maybe a few words with an abundance of attitude. For children with a disability, and in our case, Down syndrome, the response is never “typical”.......It will be short in description, and one you may or may not actually believe is actually “true”, and after the awesome verbal/signing/PEC or whatever method of response is given to our question of “How was your day” if it contained gym/PE class it kind of goes like this….. ”I did kickball” but nothing like “I really enjoyed PE today because we played kickball and I was the pitcher and Mrs. Smith said I did a great job and Zach ran the bases and got a home run”. BUT after I get “I did kickball” from Nash, I search in the Back Pack and find……………his communication notebook that has a short note that he had a good day, no strikes, and best of all.. a “Gym Rat” pin ...and then I know he had a very, very awesome PE day as Mrs. Smith gives a Gym Rat pin to those that have shown that they were a “Star” in PE that day….. thank you Mrs. Smith. and thank you to Nash’s teachers and para because it is so important that you bring the communication from the classroom to our home!

Its always something.....Nash's Natter

I am finding that Nash is really tired of mom. Not all the time, but most of the time. Like when I chaparoned his class to the Children's Museum last week; I had four in my group including my independent boy. He wanted to be as far away from me as possible, practically walked 15 paces behind me at all times. He of course was thrilled to do this with the rest of the pack tagging along at the same pace, but I could not be too close, uh uh. Not allowed. Then there is the weekend review of homework; touchmath and reading mostly. We reviewed his spelling words which he already could read (doing contractions now)and could tell me that "don't" is both don't and do not. Then we did a sheet of touch math where he is doing "doubles" by himself now, and doing a whole sheet of problems without me interfering, which is good for his independent little self. I asked him to go read four books, then come back to finish the touch math. He read the books, but would not return to the table. (he has a reading area with baskets of books). I finally bribed him got him to come back to the table, and when I placed a few more touch math worksheets in front of him, he stood up, looked at me, and said I HAVE HAD IT UP TO HERE, complete with hand motion over the top of his head. uh, okay. Our communication was quite clear on that one.

T'was the Night Before 2nd Grade

T’was the night before 2nd grade And all through the house Only one creature was stirring It’s Seger chasing a mouse. Nash is all nestled Inside of his bed With visions of that horrid Touchmath Dancing in his head. When out in our cul de sac There arose such a clatter We sprang up at 6:15 am To see what was the matter! It’s the middle school bus Arriving SO early The neighbor mom is mad, Her 5th grade daughter is so surly. It’s the first day of school! Yeah! Lets all arise! Get out of bed and wipe The Sleep from our eyes. Dad start the coffee Mom find the shower Nash get dressed Too early is this hour! But its here, its second grade And be ready we will. As the time only flies by If only it would stand still. As Nash gets on the bus Waves goodbye and signs “I love you” though the window We know he will shine. And so will your kids If given the chance. So Happy New School Year to all and “I Hope You Dance!”

Last day of First Grade

It seems like just yesterday was his first day in First Grade. I recently was giving a friend a little fun when she was whining about her daughter leaving Kindergarten. Now I am the weeney. Sniff. It can't be the last day of first grade already?

100th Day of School

Nash and I worked on his 100th day of school T-shirt they are to wear to school on Friday, the 100th day. I got one of his "tropical" vacation shirts, and we glued 100 goldfish crackers on it. Front and back. Seger ate three of them off the shirt. Now its a 97th Day of school shirt.

I received an email from Nash's Music teacher

First grade goes as a group to Music and because of weekly rotation of the "specials" his class may get one music session a week, or two. This week it is two. I emailed his music teacher for the first time just to touch base and see if she needed any "supports" as Nash goes to music without any aide. This was her response: Thanks for your note and concern about Nash in music! I love Nash! What asweet boy he is! He is very cooperative and patient in music class. He participates most of the time in much the same way as the rest of the class. I read your handout and appreciated the information. I hope I will be a good teacher for Nash and that he continues to enjoy music both in and outside of school. Let me know if there's anything specific you need from me to help him! God bless! uh, must be the wrong child. hee hee

Nash was chosen as one of five kids from the whole school to read today....

at the 9 week convocation celebrating the end of the year, and those that had reading skills with the most gains from the beginning of the year. While we are still working on our First Grade IEP, as we have issues with LRE percentages and categorization- 51 or 50, I know we have the support of the principal and staff and will get there.... but I digress. This post is about today, and Nash. Reading. To. The. School. We are so, so proud. He didn't read "What Am I" like the video here; he was quiet (hmmmm where did THAT come from?) and you couldn't hear him well, but he read his book, got great applause from the wonderful kids at his elementary, and we are so, so proud... did I already say how proud we are of our Nashtaters? Once I can figure out how to edit a 45 minute video of the entire program (we gave away 4 bikes for reading too!) I will post it.... I just have to say, again, how proud we are of our boy! And thank you again Mr. Harvey - our principal - for your philosophy of acknowledging and praising diversity in all children. And a shout out to Mrs. Minnich and Mrs. Tappy...the wonder team. I so hope we can continue the gains in First grade...

Nash was asked to read for the principal....

at his elementary this week, and so we practiced tonight...he read "What Am I". First grade...here we come! Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

A picture that makes a momma cry......

and Daddy blogged about it here Here

As the Kindergarten year comes to an end soon......

we got 2nd round pictures taken. I will have to post the beginning of the year picture as he matured so much this year. sniff. ...edited... here is Nash's Fall 2006 Kindergarten picture. whaaaaaaaaaah my baby!

Teacher conference is today

and I have to say, its the first time I am a) not nervous b) not worried c) not preparing for the worse d) relaxed! Things must be going well! (We shall see!) I think because we keep in touch with the Kindergarten teacher regularly, email or talk with the special education teacher about issues (and she is very helpful to the K teacher and Nash's para with ideas) and maybe are just a bit more relaxed about his education. I have found that I know he will have delays and he won't be able to keep up with his class. Even though he is close, the gap will widen and I just have to hang on for the ride! We do work on math a bit and read alot at home, but Nash hates homework (got that from his daddy- whose motto is "the only reason I went to school was to remain eligible"). The only thing I am a bit wary about is that his para doesn't communicate much with us and I think its due to instruction from the special education teacher to not do so outside of the communication sheets. This is probably due to the 24 years of experience the special education teacher has, many of them probably horror stories! We take Nash in with us, he shows us the different stations and we have him show us certain activities per the instructions at teach station. Then we have a meeting with the teachers. Both will be there, although Nash only has one primary K teacher in the room, along with his para. More later!