Okay, so during morning meeting I wrote on the board "Good Morning Groundhogs" because we have been talking about shadows.
So, when I went to go and read it to the boys, Patrick got very upset and said "no, read it again!"
So, I read it again.
Still upset, he demanded that I read it again. After I read it a third time, he said "No, No, No!...it is Good Morning..."and then full named Grant. Get it. He thought that I misread Grant's full name. Then Luis said "No, Good Morning Luis" and then added his last name.
It was hard to contain my laughter but I was proud that at least it made sense and he thought that I really was messing up!
The boys really have been much more verbal recently.
*Highlites from the past couple of days:
Grant was using the letters on the chalkboard today and when I looked over at him, he had spelled out "I love" and then wrote in chalk "my" and then used letters mixed with some chalk letters "mom and dad". Robyn got him on tape reading this!
Patrick asked friends to play with him so that they could play "steps and escalators" aka "chutes and ladders"
Darius has been reading more and more! Today, he asked 15 minutes before he had to go to inclusion if he could go now. Excellent!
David has been much more sensitive to the other people around him. He is coming out of his shell to make sure that everyone is okay. He loves to make sure that everyone has what they need so that they will be happy. In addition, his reading is soaring, as is everyone's!
Luis is learning to understand that his actions have reactions and how others feel when he makes a choice. He is trying to understand that it's important to have friends and keep them. A good life lesson.
Next weekend I'll be out of reach from Thursday night the 7th through Sunday the 9th. Thursday night my mom is coming to town and Friday I'll be at an all day conference regarding strategies to helping high functioning students who have autism and aspergers. Friday night-Sunday I'll be moving into our new place (a whole .3 miles away from our current place...maybe even less, i haven't marked it).
Things we are talking about and working on:
Sharing (never ending), groundhogs and shadows (we drew ours outside yesterday and then made them dance!), following directions, magnets, counting by 5s and 10s, and more!
Enjoy!
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
passing on the information
A couple of their sessions seem to look interesting (so far I'm intrigued to see Raun and Valerie's presentations). I figured I would pass this on in case you were interested or wanted to have a gathering amongst yourselves to watch together.
Dear Families, Friends and Colleagues,
We are pleased to inform you that the Autism Orlando Biennial Conference 2008 taking place in Orlando Florida from February 14th - 17th will also be available via EP LiveOnline™ as the events are taking place.
"Autism Through the Lifespan" (www.autismorlando.com) features 22 of the world's foremost autism experts speaking on topics covering the full range of everything that you should know about Autism Spectrum Disorders Across the Lifespan. The program content has been developed by Autism Today and USAAA (US Autism and Asperger Association), and EP LiveOnline will simply be facilitating the ability to access the seminars through the Internet.
We are inviting you, your friends, family and colleagues to participate from the convenience of your home or office. For a charge of only $175 you will be able to attend as many or all the programs as are taking place in Orlando via video streaming. Or, for $24.95, you can access individual presentations.
We urge you to register now for these seminars, to allow sufficient time to get your computers properly set up for the event. Order your sessions immediately by clicking on the following link and following the prompts for registration and payment:
http://www.autismorlando.com/vemics-webcast.htm This link will also allow you to get a glimpse of all of the seminars taking place.
Save up to $800.00 just on plane tickets, hotel, food and transportation! |
This conference will be available to view live, on line by you, your family, and colleagues from anywhere in the world via EP LiveOnLine in real time! It's Just Like Watching a Live TV Show!
Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
The EP Live Online ™ Team
www.epliveonline.com
Friday, January 25, 2008
Challenges....
See, I posted this whole jacket thing and now I know that everyone is not only capable of putting it on alone, but on getting their sleeves back from being inside out.
So, now I'm going to challenge all of us (you, me, and the boys). It's your choice though.
Would you like it to be zippering? buttoning? snapping? or counting by 5's and 10's?
I'll be honest, I think the easiest of these choices is going to be counting by 5's and 10's. I worked with David today while we were playing catch together and after I counted each of them one time, he counted them back to me and when I asked him 3 hours later to do it, he did it flawlessly.
I think the hardest one.....it's a toss up between zippering and buttoning, especially depending how tight it is that they are wearing that you are trying to teach them to zipper or button.
Anyway, we had a great day. Report cards are finished and handed in to administration for remarks and comments back.
We're counting down to the 100th day. We have ten days left. Anyone up to create a snack that incorporates the number 100? It can be a pretzel stick and two pieces of cheese to spell out 100 or it can be something like 100 raisins.
Alright, enjoy your weekend!!! Don't forget, no school on Monday for students!
So, now I'm going to challenge all of us (you, me, and the boys). It's your choice though.
Would you like it to be zippering? buttoning? snapping? or counting by 5's and 10's?
I'll be honest, I think the easiest of these choices is going to be counting by 5's and 10's. I worked with David today while we were playing catch together and after I counted each of them one time, he counted them back to me and when I asked him 3 hours later to do it, he did it flawlessly.
I think the hardest one.....it's a toss up between zippering and buttoning, especially depending how tight it is that they are wearing that you are trying to teach them to zipper or button.
Anyway, we had a great day. Report cards are finished and handed in to administration for remarks and comments back.
We're counting down to the 100th day. We have ten days left. Anyone up to create a snack that incorporates the number 100? It can be a pretzel stick and two pieces of cheese to spell out 100 or it can be something like 100 raisins.
Alright, enjoy your weekend!!! Don't forget, no school on Monday for students!
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Alrighty....
Today, everyone went to the prize box because EVERYONE PUT ON THEIR OWN JACKET!!! WOOHOO! I know, it may not seem like a big deal, but it sure was to me!
In addition, Spinny Johnson, a former harlem globetrotter, came to school today and each one of our boys participated with him in front of their k-2 peers. DOUBLE WOOHOO!!!
Report cards are finished and will be going home late next week.
Patrick, David, and Luis all practiced their double dutching skills today in PE and all jumped the rope at least once if not more! Great job boys!
Darius did a great job this morning with all of his work while Ms. Stern was at a meeting. Mrs. Robertson read him and David the story of how Thomas the Tank came to be and evolved into what it is now.
IEP Updates will also be coming home with report cards. As always, if you have any questions, I'm available for conferences before and after school (due to the schedule, I really can't provide during school conferences) or for a phone conversation.
Enjoy your night!
In addition, Spinny Johnson, a former harlem globetrotter, came to school today and each one of our boys participated with him in front of their k-2 peers. DOUBLE WOOHOO!!!
Report cards are finished and will be going home late next week.
Patrick, David, and Luis all practiced their double dutching skills today in PE and all jumped the rope at least once if not more! Great job boys!
Darius did a great job this morning with all of his work while Ms. Stern was at a meeting. Mrs. Robertson read him and David the story of how Thomas the Tank came to be and evolved into what it is now.
IEP Updates will also be coming home with report cards. As always, if you have any questions, I'm available for conferences before and after school (due to the schedule, I really can't provide during school conferences) or for a phone conversation.
Enjoy your night!
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
oh boy are we back....
Do your boys give you a hard time putting on their own jackets at home? Do you help them because it's just easier than waiting? Do they just automatically ask for help before they have tried themselves? I'm hoping you might be willing to try this "trick" to help them build this really important life skill. So, here's a trick that I learned from our one and only Mrs. Robertson. If they lay the coat on the floor with the outside down and the inside up, have them stand facing the hood (the hood should be the closest thing to them) and have them put their hands in the holes and flip the jacket over their head. I can understand them not being able to zipper, but they should be able to get their jackets on without having them being upside down. If you have the time, it's a great life skill. The goal is more and more independent skills!!!
I was at a meeting this morning discussing Weems going to parallel block and Mrs. Robertson will be at one tomorrow morning for the same thing. Good times. I really see the great benefits that it could have for our students. Right now Weems is just investigating it with nothing having been decided for at least next year. I'll let you know more as we know.
Darius and Grant earned rewards today from Ms. Lunsford for great behavior during speech. Great job friends!
We watched the very hungry catepillar today and will be reading it tomorrow to make some compare and contrast statements to them. Later this week, we'll be making our very own ice cream from scratch!
On Thursday we have an assembly and don't forget, next Monday is no school for students.
As always, if you need anything, feel free to email or call!
Have a great Tuesday!
I was at a meeting this morning discussing Weems going to parallel block and Mrs. Robertson will be at one tomorrow morning for the same thing. Good times. I really see the great benefits that it could have for our students. Right now Weems is just investigating it with nothing having been decided for at least next year. I'll let you know more as we know.
Darius and Grant earned rewards today from Ms. Lunsford for great behavior during speech. Great job friends!
We watched the very hungry catepillar today and will be reading it tomorrow to make some compare and contrast statements to them. Later this week, we'll be making our very own ice cream from scratch!
On Thursday we have an assembly and don't forget, next Monday is no school for students.
As always, if you need anything, feel free to email or call!
Have a great Tuesday!
Friday, January 18, 2008
This week
We made ice the other day in really cool ice trays (puzzle pieces that when formed, actually fit together, and stars).
Next week in continuing on our recipes, we're making ice cream without an ice cream maker.
On the individual front:
Darius got a great compliment from Ms. West. He even got a chance to go to her own personal prize box! Keep it up Robot Boy!
Grant has been doing a fantastic job all week. His conversation skills are greatly improving and his work ethic is unparallel.
Patrick has been working hard to maintain all of his stickers. He's been working to master all of his letter sounds.
David has been amazing this week. He's been complimenting his classmates, carrying on conversations with everyone, and completing all his work so he can go to the listening center as a choice activity.
Luis has been working on his writing and words this week. He did a great job on the math benchmark exam as did all of his friends.
All in all, a great week.
Enjoy your three day weekend!
Next week in continuing on our recipes, we're making ice cream without an ice cream maker.
On the individual front:
Darius got a great compliment from Ms. West. He even got a chance to go to her own personal prize box! Keep it up Robot Boy!
Grant has been doing a fantastic job all week. His conversation skills are greatly improving and his work ethic is unparallel.
Patrick has been working hard to maintain all of his stickers. He's been working to master all of his letter sounds.
David has been amazing this week. He's been complimenting his classmates, carrying on conversations with everyone, and completing all his work so he can go to the listening center as a choice activity.
Luis has been working on his writing and words this week. He did a great job on the math benchmark exam as did all of his friends.
All in all, a great week.
Enjoy your three day weekend!
Monday, January 14, 2008
An excellent Monday on all accounts.
We did indeed cancel parent night but maybe February will prove to be better.
We're working on distinguishing solids, liquids, and gases. It's been interesting to see how they classify things.
Don't forget, three day weekend this weekend. And for all of you, next weekend as well.
We did indeed cancel parent night but maybe February will prove to be better.
We're working on distinguishing solids, liquids, and gases. It's been interesting to see how they classify things.
Don't forget, three day weekend this weekend. And for all of you, next weekend as well.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Yesterday
We made dirt together. Chocolate graham crackers, chocolate sprinkles (ants), raisins (beetles), and gummy worms.
I also started mid year PALS assessment. So far, the kids are making really impressive gains. Some have already made over a years worth of progress.
we've been doing a great deal with listening and following directions in all classes. some of us are better than others, but we're gonna keep on working on it.
I've only heard from one family about Monday so I'm gonna say maybe we'll just postpone family night until next month (please tell me differently).
Also remember that you can feel free to schedule a conference at any time to find out how your child is doing.
report cards are in a couple of weeks along with iep updates.
I also started mid year PALS assessment. So far, the kids are making really impressive gains. Some have already made over a years worth of progress.
we've been doing a great deal with listening and following directions in all classes. some of us are better than others, but we're gonna keep on working on it.
I've only heard from one family about Monday so I'm gonna say maybe we'll just postpone family night until next month (please tell me differently).
Also remember that you can feel free to schedule a conference at any time to find out how your child is doing.
report cards are in a couple of weeks along with iep updates.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Friday post on Saturday
So, I made sure with all the field trip places that younger sibs would be okay. Indeed they are.
Old Mine Ranch is free for children with special needs. We're working on finding money to get our adult chaperones there for free. It's 19.7 miles away.
Firehouse and Farmers Market are free and we're thinking about having a picnic so it would be a bag lunch day.
Freedom Center I believe he said 4 dollars. And now of course, I can't remember. I'm almost positive. We're only going for two hours. Really an hour and a half because we have to come back about 1:45 to be back to the school by 2.
Explore and Moore, I can't remember...I think he said 4 or 6. I think it's 4 with a 10 flat fee for our group to use the lunch room/party room. The place sounds amazing though. It's out in Woodbridge if ever you're looking for a hands on Children's Museum.
and of course bowling and Tony's pizza.
Monday Night is Chuck E Cheese Night for Weems. Flyers were sent home in the notebooks.
I won't be in on Monday as I finally have my second day of training (provided i'm not snowed out).
Enjoy your weekend!
Old Mine Ranch is free for children with special needs. We're working on finding money to get our adult chaperones there for free. It's 19.7 miles away.
Firehouse and Farmers Market are free and we're thinking about having a picnic so it would be a bag lunch day.
Freedom Center I believe he said 4 dollars. And now of course, I can't remember. I'm almost positive. We're only going for two hours. Really an hour and a half because we have to come back about 1:45 to be back to the school by 2.
Explore and Moore, I can't remember...I think he said 4 or 6. I think it's 4 with a 10 flat fee for our group to use the lunch room/party room. The place sounds amazing though. It's out in Woodbridge if ever you're looking for a hands on Children's Museum.
and of course bowling and Tony's pizza.
Monday Night is Chuck E Cheese Night for Weems. Flyers were sent home in the notebooks.
I won't be in on Monday as I finally have my second day of training (provided i'm not snowed out).
Enjoy your weekend!
Friday, January 4, 2008
FIELD TRIPS!!!!!!!!!
Well, Batman, they are planned and I hope that they will be approved.
Tentatively, we're scheduled for:
Bowling and Pizza (at Tonys) on March 27th.
Firehouse/Farmer's Market on April 10th
Freedom Center on April 24th
Explore N Moore on May 1st
Old Mine Ranch (with all of kindergarten) on May 15th on a rain date of May 22nd
Tentatively, we're scheduled for:
Bowling and Pizza (at Tonys) on March 27th.
Firehouse/Farmer's Market on April 10th
Freedom Center on April 24th
Explore N Moore on May 1st
Old Mine Ranch (with all of kindergarten) on May 15th on a rain date of May 22nd
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Happy Birthday Darius!
We sure had fun singing today to wish Darius a happy 7th birthday. We enjoyed yummy cake and got really cool erasers and note paper.
In addition, we got our OT toys in the mail. The boys loved running around with the pop toobs. they also thoroughly enjoyed our new balls with rubber spikes on them. We also got new scissors, pincers (similar to chop sticks) wiki sticks, and more! Good times.
We spent a lot of time reading, putting things in sequential order, and reviewing.
We're going to start talking about liquid, gas, and solids. In other words, ice, water and steam. I even got really cool ice trays from ikea for the occasion!
Everyone seems to have come back from vacation with an increased vocabulary, especially no! We had to spend some time relearning that we don't just get to do what we want to all day.
In all that, a good day. And, by tomorrow, all second semester field trips will be set up. We're looking at swimming, bowling, and heading to Explore and Moore (a children's museum) in addition to the kindergarten field trip and maybe one more.
In addition, we got our OT toys in the mail. The boys loved running around with the pop toobs. they also thoroughly enjoyed our new balls with rubber spikes on them. We also got new scissors, pincers (similar to chop sticks) wiki sticks, and more! Good times.
We spent a lot of time reading, putting things in sequential order, and reviewing.
We're going to start talking about liquid, gas, and solids. In other words, ice, water and steam. I even got really cool ice trays from ikea for the occasion!
Everyone seems to have come back from vacation with an increased vocabulary, especially no! We had to spend some time relearning that we don't just get to do what we want to all day.
In all that, a good day. And, by tomorrow, all second semester field trips will be set up. We're looking at swimming, bowling, and heading to Explore and Moore (a children's museum) in addition to the kindergarten field trip and maybe one more.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Happy New Year
We had quite a great day. We're starting a ten day unit on following directions/cooking. Today we made a sandwich on a mini bagel using cream cheese and jelly.
Everyone seems to have come back to school taller and chattier. Although, when they first got off the bus, the only go getter was Grant who just walked straight to the classroom. Patrick informed us "Don't worry, it's only Patrick."
Everyone really did have a great day. We did some fitness in speech, talked about the new year, and I heard all about christmas from everyone.
Alright, I don't know about the rest of you, but it's time for bed for me.
Hope 2008 is treating you well.
Also, is anyone interested in a parents night this month? It would be January 14th. Just let me know.
Don't forget, no school January 21st or January 28th this month!
Everyone seems to have come back to school taller and chattier. Although, when they first got off the bus, the only go getter was Grant who just walked straight to the classroom. Patrick informed us "Don't worry, it's only Patrick."
Everyone really did have a great day. We did some fitness in speech, talked about the new year, and I heard all about christmas from everyone.
Alright, I don't know about the rest of you, but it's time for bed for me.
Hope 2008 is treating you well.
Also, is anyone interested in a parents night this month? It would be January 14th. Just let me know.
Don't forget, no school January 21st or January 28th this month!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)