lurknomore - how did the meeting go?

[eaccae]

I was just checking in to see how the meeting with the teacher went yesterday?!

[LurkNoMore]

I just came to post an update and imagine my surprise that you were looking for one, eaccae! Thanks for asking.

It went well...what a change from year's past. She (Mrs L) thinks his math grade was low b/c of the subtraction (still doesn't have them memorized), but that he is doing much better so far this marking period (multiplication and fractions). She said it is his only subject that he is below grade level, so we are going to pull out the flashcards again! She said he is doing well in the mainstream class for Social Studies and Science. The other teacher (Miss O) is enjoying having him in the class - only one problem, she just brought in chameleons and they are right behind C's desk. Mrs L said she had warned him that if he can't concentrate in Miss O's class (or do the work that he is supposed to) that he won't be able to go anymore (he REALLY is proud of himself for being in Miss O's class, so this is, so far, working) They also made a deal that he can go in and see the chameleons in the morning or during recess, so he can "ignore" them during class. I asked her about his independence (his biggest problem all during school)...at the fall conference, she mentioned that they were starting to have him work independently for 10 minute time periods. She said, she really hasn't been using it, he's been working OK at that time on his own (he does need some reminders).

At this point, it looks like he'll (keep my fingers crossed) be mainstreamed again next year, for everything but ELA and math...I just got off the phone with the social worker, she said they are meeting at the middle school next week to plan the needs for the incoming 6th graders and that she'll let me know as soon as she hears something. She also said, that next month, she'd like him to be mainstreamed for another subject, so they can get a true picture of how he is doing and what he should be doing (placement) next year.

Thanks for asking!

[eaccae]

Sounds like a good meeting! Let's hope those chameleons don't become trouble!! The independence is one of those babystep things - but it sounds like his is making some improvements! that is great!

We just got this game from mindwareonline
Mindwareonline - mathgames - Mad Math

It is a fun - "quick" game played either on the addition tables or the multiplication tables as the gameboard - you don't have to compute in your head - you roll the multisided dice and then move a pawn on the answer (but you can use the chart). The goal is to get three pawns in a row. DS loves this game and we play it pretty much every day because it is so short. I am hoping that just by playing it a little each day he will unconsiously start memorizing the multiplication tables. Just a thought.

[dmom32002]

Your meeting sounded so great. I'm so happy
to see a success story. Keep up the great
work.

donna

[LurkNoMore]

Thanks for the replies...I'll have to look for the math game (did you get it at a toy store, educational store or on-line?)

C had a rougher week last week...got a note home from the teacher about his vocab. test (only got a 50%, usually gets at least in the 80's) There was a sub last Friday, he told her that he hadn't studied (which he didn't, b/c I didn't know he had a vocab test) so Mrs. L let him take it on Monday (He still hadn't studied b/c I still didn't know about it). Also, his spelling test came back - only 61% (he usually aces these)...he got points off for capitalizing some of the words (I don't totally agree with that, but it is her rule and she has repeatedly told him that...and noted it on his tests), plus some words were marked wrong because of his handwriting (at the ends of words, he sometimes gets lazy and his n's look like r's). He also got check minuses on a couple of classroom writing assignments because she couldn't read his handwriting. We started practicing handwriting - trying to keep it light and make it fun....I figure the more he practices, the more it becomes second nature and he should automatically start to write better (I hope). I sent the writing sheet in with a note explaining about not knowing about the vocab. test. Today is spelling test day (no school tomorrow, 4 day weekend for President's Day), so I reminded him to write neatly...

Ugh, it seems to never end...just when you think things are starting to go smoothly, something else comes up!

I'll keep you posted!