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Post by LurkNoMore on Jan 4, 2005 13:54:45 GMT -5
C came off the bus yesterday and told me he had a bad day and he knew he would because it was the first day back from break (over break, we took it VERY easy...stayed up late, got up late, goofed off). There were no notes from the teacher, so I'm not sure how bad it really was...he said his name didn't get written on the board (warning)...but he couldn't really communicate what happened. Homework took him forever to do...it was slightly more challenging than it had been b-4 the break but nothing he couldn't handle. He went to bed a little earlier last night and seemed more "awake" this morning...so I'm hoping for a better day.
He is also saddled with work and projects (he's in 5th grade, self-contained)...the science fair work is starting...he had to submit his topic today...On 1/11, he has the next part to do for the science fair (100 word description) AND a rough draft of his biography book report (he's almost done with the book). Then at the end of the month, he has the next section of his state report due (climate and something else)...Yikes! I'm getting tired just thinking about it all!
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Post by SharonF on Jan 4, 2005 14:50:23 GMT -5
Hi Lurk--
I have a son in high school and daughter in 8th grade. It is my experience that the third quarter is the hardest quarter. The homework an reading expectations increase dramatically and there are usually several long-term projects going on simultaneously like science fair, essays, solo/ensemble in band. Making it worse, teachers start talking nonstop about the state proficiency test and telling kids "you'll have to know this to pass the state test" which increases everyone's anxiety.
I usually tell my kids that this is the hardest quarter. If they are going to need help from their tutor, the third quarter is probably the time to ask for it. I no longer have to monitor everything my kids do y*y . But in the three-ring circus of so many assignments and so many demands, I do pay closer attention to the little things that tend to get lost or forgotten until it's too late. I have them write assignments on the calendar we keep on the refrigerator. "Three weeks until your science fair--what do you need to get at the store to do that experiment?" "You have a week until that social studies paper is due. Do you need me to proofread your draft?" That kind of thing.
I don't try to scare my kids. It's more like the road sign that alerts drivers to a curvy road or steep hill--I alert them that school will be more demanding for the next couple months--but that by staying on top of things, they'll get through it just fine.
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Post by swmom on Jan 4, 2005 18:07:56 GMT -5
At our school, the first week back is designed to ease the children back into school. So, basically they just fun - for an entire week. Yesterday, they all brought books from home and a pillow and curled up in the classroom and read all day. Today, Wed. and Thurs., they have these minicourses they can sign up for. Things like basketweaving, rubberband jewelry making, basketball, African dancing, etc. They take three a day. On Friday, hopefully they'll ease back into schoolwork.
It's kind of a nice approach, for both students and teachers. For the most part, the kids are still in the Christmas break mode and perhaps the teachers are too! So, to answer your question, our first day back
was a breeze!
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Post by 2pearl on Jan 4, 2005 20:48:27 GMT -5
We had a great break. It was so nice not to have to deal with homework and getting up early and getting three kids off to school!
But still, it was nice the morning they all left to have a bit of peace and quiet. I took the dog for a long walk, came back and took a long hot bath. While I'm in the tub, I hear a huge CRASH from the living room. The dog was chasing the cat and they knocked the christmas tree over. Water, broken glass, pine needles everywhere. I'm surveying the damage in my bathrobe and the phone rings. Its the teacher. Basically calling to say that T got his name on the board several times.
So after I hung with her I shed a few tears of absolute frustration, cleaned up the tree and that was it. Vacation over.
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Post by LurkNoMore on Jan 4, 2005 22:21:23 GMT -5
Hi SharonF, Yes, 3rd quarter has been the toughest for C in the past...we usually attributed it to the newness factor of the school year wearing off...but I think your reason is more sound!
swmom...your school sounds like it has the right idea...both kids seemed to get right back into the swing of things Monday! We may have a snowday tomorrow and Thursday...keep your fingers crossed that they are wrong.
2Pearl...how awful (funny story made me laugh) but what a mess!
Today went better for C...he was much more productive when he got home from school. Part of his homework was writing an essay using at least 8 of the vocabulary words...if you used all 16, you get a "bonus" homework (whatever that means)...he normally hates to write, but did this willingly (on the computer) and did a great job.
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Post by vickilyn32 on Jan 5, 2005 9:36:31 GMT -5
Our first day back went very well, but it was an easy day for them both. Dan starts health and keyboarding this semester, so he is a little worried about keyboarding. In the past he has always had a hard time in this class. However, he had an awsome practice for basketball. He is in 8th grade, and they will be getting ready for highschool next year. Amber (6th grade) started learning her dances for her dance recital, and is starting to practice for solo/ensemble for band in April. Cheerleader try-outs are in March, so she needs to work hard in gymnastics during the next few weeks as well. Both kids will be getting ready for the state TAKS tests later in the semester.
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