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Post by kc4braves on Nov 30, 2005 13:14:30 GMT -5
Hi, I haven't posted lately because we have been moving. We are now in Oklahoma City and today was the first day of school here for my kids.
My ADHDer is my 9 yr old son. He takes metadate CD twice a day and, as some of you may know, we just worked and worked to get a 504 in October before we moved. We had still not fully implemented everything when we left.
I went with him to school today because he wanted me to and so that the teachers would know who I am, etc. it turned out to be a good thing and very interesting. He has three teachers here and changes classes which we did not do in Mississippi. I think my head started spinning when they told me that. lol
Anyway, I met the homeroom teacher first. She has him for math and Spelling as well. She seems very good but he is so far behind. He is partly behind just because he has problems with rote memory stuff like multiplication tables but he is also behind because the school we came from is behind. Here they are working on 4 digit by 2 digit multiplication. They were still working on multiplication tables at his school in Miss. They require cursive writing here which he cannot do.....he wasn't required to use it, wasn't well instructed in it last year, and has writing issues anyway. Then she told me about spelling and I started getting overwhelmed. I think she could tell it , too. I was ok with the 24 spelling words and 6 bonus words. Then she told us about the sentence dicatation and I panicked. This is the day I have been worried about for so long. They are really doing more what i always thought 4th grade SHOULD do...but not what ds has been doing. I don't see him getting sentence dictation.
Anyway, she told me she had looked at his 504 and wondered why he had not opted for Special Ed. instead. Opted??? I had a hard enough time getting the 504. She said that with ADHD he would qualify under "other health conditions" and could receive extra help for math AND that, even without Sp Ed., they could have the OT evaluate him for dysgraphia ( which is another concern we have had). I couldn't believe it. She said she had another student that, I guess, was pulled out during math to have one on one help with remediation. If I understood correctly.
Then I met the special ed teacher, who was very nice and seemd much more informed then the people I dealt with in the old school. She looked about 15 herself but....that's ok. lol She pretty much confirmed everything the teacher had said. She said they would do a 15 day intervention. She would also put things into motion to get the OT eval completed. She told me he would not neccesarily have to be pulled out of any regular classes. They have 30 mins or so at the end of te day that is study hall that she would use for homework help and organizing things to bring home, etc. She said she could help determince what accommodations would best benefit him re: math and wiring, etc. She talked to me for over 15 mins and I didn't even have an appt.
Am I missing something somewhere? This all seems too good. Does this seem right? Why would it be so easy here to get him on IDEA and so hard other places? I guess they have funding for IDEA but nothing for 504 but that is true everywhere. Any ideas or comments would be appreciated.
Kathy
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Post by ohmama on Nov 30, 2005 13:58:47 GMT -5
You are getting what you should have gotten all along. It would seem the other school where you were, had too many gatekeepers. These are the professionals who work in the school system and have the job of doing whatever it takes to keep your child from receiving the services he needs. Don't believe it? Just think about all your past efforts being shot down and the struggles you had to go through. It wasn't right and it wasn't all because of ignorance on their part either. That's just the way it is.
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Post by Mayleng on Nov 30, 2005 15:12:33 GMT -5
Kathy, I am glad you have finished moving. The good news is it sounds like you have gotten your ds into one of the schools who knows how to help the kids and unlike the old school is not going to put blocks in your way. Now would be a good time to get him an IEP under OHI and OT help etc. Although he is behind, at least he is in a school that is probably academically superior than his old school. There are good school systems and bad school systems. You are lucky you have gotten into a good school system. Now get them to help your son catch up.
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Post by VaMom on Nov 30, 2005 15:48:39 GMT -5
Kathy, Sounds like you all made an excellent move. Good for you for going to the school, too. Keep us up to date.
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Post by wetmores on Nov 30, 2005 16:37:07 GMT -5
YEA!!!!!! and HOOOORAY!!!! Isn't it wonderful when the system actually works for the student? peace, marge www.net-haven.net
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Post by d on Nov 30, 2005 19:10:01 GMT -5
Kathy, I thinked you moved to nirvana (if nirvana is a place!). It just goes to show the state to state differences in special ed (and district to district within a state happens too). Go with it for the time being. Just keep your wits about you by being informed.
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Post by kc4braves on Dec 1, 2005 8:54:34 GMT -5
Thanks for the replies. I'm very concerned about how things are going to go but Im excited that I don't seem to be alone at the school. My initial reaction was that I really like his school.....not as certain about dd's. ;-) She goes to the school to which they should both be going. He is an overflow student at his school and is SUPPOSED to change again when they have room for him. I'm not sure that is going to happen without a fight if he ( and I) continue to like the way this school does things. We will see when the time comes, I guess.
Thanks for all the support. Also.....is there a downside to Sp. Ed. that I should be more aware of?
Kathy
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Post by 2pearl on Dec 1, 2005 14:58:22 GMT -5
There is no downside to Special Ed if it means he's getting the help he needs. One thing to be aware of though is whether or not he is grouped with children with similar needs academically/behaviourally. I know many people are concerned with the "stigma" that can be associated with being in Special Ed especially from other kids but I think in most cases kids can be pulled out for their services discreetly and there are so many great resources out there to help kids accept and understand their own learning differences, that I think(hope) that the words "special ed" are losing some of the stigma. Some things you may want to check out if you haven't already would be sparktop.org, a website for kids with all kinds of learning issues including ADHD, the Hank Zipzer and Joey Pigza books and at schwablearning.org you can find lists of famous people that have learning differences and ADHD.
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Post by kc4braves on Dec 1, 2005 21:51:55 GMT -5
We have been to sparktop.com already and we talked about a few of the famous people but i will look into that more. I think he will be ok until it possibly requires more work. I think sometimes that my child is lazy. lol At least to the point that he doesn't feel he should ever work any harder than others appear to work. I'm not sure how he can be mine! lol
We are still trying to get a feel for how things work at this school. It is so frustrating learning a new system and new teachers. Now I have 3 teachers to figure out.
Thanks for the reply.
KAthy
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Post by kc4braves on Dec 21, 2005 18:45:43 GMT -5
Well, we have been here three weeks now and have decided this is definitely not Nirvana! This school is very different. We feel like we left elementary and started college. Every paper he does is graded whether homework, class work, a test or whatever. A large majority of grades are daily grades which means there is no one to cue him or anything. He can bring that home if not finished where I can help him but.....then he has too much to do at home. ( And what kids wants to bring home extra work) I guess he is supposed to be much more responsible and independent than he is. He had to memorize "The New Colossus" last week. We worked and worked on it but he forgot to tell his teacher he was ready to say it to her Friday so has an incomplete grade and probably lost 20 points before he ever started saying it on Tuesday. I emailed his teacher to tell her that he had been ready to say it Friday, that is the only reason he ever got to say it. He didn't come home with any homework one day, even thought his teacher says she packs his bag, so when we worked extra hard the next day to get it done, she counted off 10 points for being late. They say the daily grades/homework grades are supposed to help pull up poor test grades but, he usually does much better on tests. I help him study for tests. He doesn't need alot of help on most things, usually just 15 mins of review or some cueing as he does worksheets. Anyway, i know I'm rambling becasue I'm kinda upset after talking with the the Sp Ed/504 teacher today. I had told her that we were concerned and really wanted to meet with everyone just to make sure we were all ont eh same page. Well, the gist of the conversation was that I'm an over protective parent who cannot accept that her child is average. I should be cutting flips that he is making 70's and 80's mostly on his own. They cannot grasp why I would want him to bring his classroom/homework home to be checked or anything. Mind you every paper is graded. She even asked me if the reaon he wasn't enjoying school here is becasue i make him unhappy. Just geat. They say he is supposed to be responsible and if he can't be then I guess 10 or 20 points off here and there is no big deal. I came away with the idea that he is nearly grown ( at 9) and shouldn't need a parent to check over anything or be concerned about anything. I guess the idea is throw the child in the deep end and see if he can swim or die trying. She ended the conversation by saying she was soooo glad i called and so glad i was involved with my child. Yea right. I was very upset, but my friend called. She still checks over all 5 kids homework everynight...the straight A child and the 504 kid and all in between. She is more like me and made me feel better. My thought, and hers, is that we don't really expect the teacher to teach our kids 100%of the info ( especially our kids with learning issues) . That is what we do. We review the homework or classwork or whatever you call it ( work they do without help that is not a test) and we discover where the gaps are and try to fill them. obviously, we cannot always do that. If we try to explain what they didn't get or have a tutor do that and they still cannot do it, THEN we are more accepting that they just might not get that...at least not right now. the teacher told me that if a child gets 70% or so of what is taught that year, that is super! Was that other 30% just not important? She said if 75% was the very best they could do, we should be happy. I agree...to a point. But first, WHY was 75% the best they could do? Is that their potential becasue of a low IQ or a learning disability that prevents them from getting it, or did they just not get it the first time and it was never presented again, or did they just not get it the WAY it was taught...or did they just need a little one on one....or maybe they changed school in the middle of the year two years in a row and need to get caught up ( like my son)?? I want them to understand where we are coming from and I don't understand why a teacher wouldn't support an involved parent. I do not tell my child he is dumb but I do expect him to try to learn something he doesn't get. Is that bad? Should I just back off and let him do it all himself? Another thing she told me is that the teachers don't understand why my son wouldn't be responsible enough to remember to tell the teacher that he needed to say his memory work on a certain day. DUH!!! The first thing I told them was that he is very forgetful and disorganized. She said ..."well..this is the way 4th grade is done and we don't understand why you are having issues with it. You learn certain responsibility in 2nd, more in 3rd and more in 4th." My response was that every school is not the same and tha our son did not come up in their 2nd and 3rd grade. Things are different different places and it would help if they helped us get our son on track with THEIR way of doing things. I don't want him playing catch up his entire life...AND..I don't want him to move on not having gotten more than 70 % of what was taught. Ok. I know I wrote too much but....please give me some input. Do ya'll think I'm as anal as I think they think i am? Is it unrealistic for a parent to want to help their kid be the best they can be? Even beyond what te school can do? I'm at a loss. Kathy PS: Merry Christmas everyone!
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Post by ohmama on Dec 21, 2005 19:50:51 GMT -5
Kathy, You are an outstanding parent to be involved with your child's education like you are. If the child is not "getting it" in the class then there will be gaps in their learning. What you are doing makes perfect sense. You are involved because you recognize you are in it for the long haul. The teachers are there for the short term and that years class. They lack the personal attachment, love, concern and caring about what happens to that child that only a parent has.
I learned not to look for agreement with teachers in how I evaluate my child's schooling needs. As a parent we are far more than birth mothers. We are teachers, doctors, tutors, psychologists, nutritionists, homemakers, cooks, etc. all as part of the care of our children, and I could go on and on, but you get the point. The school hires teachers and at the end of the day they are done. We have to fill in the gaps and that means homework when necessary. We realize their education is too important not to be sure they are doing the best they can do. I would not settle for 70% either. Keep up the good work!
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Post by kc4braves on Dec 21, 2005 20:09:26 GMT -5
thank you. My dh told me to stick that conversation away in a compartment till after Christmas. lol I told him he'd better buy me a compartment for Christmas because i don't have the ability to compartmentalize like he does. lol
Merry Christmas and a great new year.
KAthy
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Post by Mayleng on Dec 21, 2005 20:31:38 GMT -5
Kathy, you stick to your plan of getting help for your son, that is what a 504 is for. If he needs reminders, and teacher to check on him, then it should be in his 504. Also from what you said, it seems this person has no idea what ADHD is all about. It might be a good idea (after Christmas) to educate them. There are some articles by the Education Department about ADHD and how to teach ADHDers, What is ADHD etc. by the US Education Department. These are specifically for teachers and school admins etc. Print out the articles and give it to them since it is from their own People. When you get to that site, page down to the articles. Print out this article "ADHD — Teaching Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Instructional Strategies and Practices" www.ed.gov/about/reports/annual/osep/index.html#adhd-resI am sorry the school did not turn out to be Nirvana. It just means you have to be on your toes and fight to get what your son needs. Take your hubby's advise and tackle this after Christmas.
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Post by kc4braves on Dec 21, 2005 23:07:21 GMT -5
Thanks. I am going to try to enjoy the holidays. We have only been here three weeks but already the kids have seen snow twice...for the first time ever. It didn't last but a day but they were amazed. There is alot to do here and see for Christmas...lights, lighted gardens, snow tubing in the baseball stadium, outdoor ice-skating...etc...I think we will try not to worry about the school for two weeks! Have a great Christmas!
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Post by snorkeler on Dec 22, 2005 9:02:07 GMT -5
Enjoy the break! Here is a compartment for you { }, I hope it holds all you need. Moving is hard and it is a culture shock too, look at all the snow for example!! Enjoy your family all together again and start the whole IEP process after the break. Snorkeler
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Post by angel on Dec 22, 2005 20:45:26 GMT -5
Well all I can say is that I am a teacher and I wish every parent cared enough to help their child the way that you are!! I guess I am an overconcerned parent too! lol Don't let someone make you feel bad for caring about your child!!
angel
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Post by kc4braves on Dec 30, 2005 21:04:58 GMT -5
Thanks for the compartment. It held me for a few days. lol Now I've started dreading going back. You know, I didn't care for 4th grade much when I did it many years ago and find myself hating it again. However, I am the kind of person who needs a plan. So I find myself waking up in the morning thinking about what to do and what to say and how to stay cool, calm and collected with the teachers, etc. I told my mom today that I feel like "they" are either with me or against me. Either they will work to help my child even if that means sending his day/homework home or teaching him a different way OR they are the enemy and I must be on guard. I know that sounds horrible but that is how I feel. After much thought of the conversation that I had with teh Special Ed teacher ( who also apparently deals with 504) the last day of school, I think she was really speaking from the standpoint of a person who deals with people who have much more prominent learning problems. I feel she was trying to point out to me that he doesn't need special ed, but I NEVER said he did. SHE looked at his 504 and started heading him in that direction. I look back at the entire conversation and think it was more about Sp. Ed than about my child. My friend's child has just been put in regular classes in 3rd grade after being almost totally in resource classes for 1st, and two years of 2nd grade. They told her the same thing. If he can make 70's in regular classes then you should be proud of that. He has a 504 and no resource classes now. I'm not saying I agree with the decision BUT that it sounds similar to all the discussion we had the other day. I just want him to get caught up and to learn as much as he can. I really don't care as much with the grades, although, I do care that he gets what he deserves. I know that 70's are passing but I would really like to hold him back this year, if his grades don't improve. I know that sounds harsh and I'm not sure how he will feel about it, but I feel he will struggle too much and eventually give up on being good at anything. He is one of the youngest in his class and by far the smallest. ...and one of the least mature from what I've observed. I think, if it is handled correctly by everyone, it could be a blessing for him. He will not be at the same school next year becasue he is in the overflow school right now...not in the school he should go to. How does everyone feel about retaining a child and can it be done if they don't technically fail? Ok. I'm doing again...obsessing. I just get this way about things when I don't see a clear plan. Hope everyone had a good Christmas and have been enjoying your kids. Happy New Year! Kathy
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Post by kc4braves on Dec 30, 2005 21:11:44 GMT -5
Angel, Thanks for the comments. I thought being concerned and offerring to follow through at home was a good thing. I also know they have a lot of kids to try to teach . At our old school, his teacher had 23 students and I felt it was hard for her to follow through completely with his 504. I was impressed with her efforts and how well she really knew my son. On his last day of school there, she gave him a going away present that was a book about jet airplanes with punch out planes that he could put together. I was so impressed that she knew to get him that. He was thrilled. At the new school, because they change classes, each teacher really has 75 kids to keep track of and, in some ways, tighter time constraints. They can't take an extra 5 or 10 mins to finish something becasue the kids have to get their books together for the next class. They don't have as much time to answer questions either. I mean, she can't help my son on a math problem he didn't get while other kids finish up another subject that he gets. I know it has to be this way, but that is why I'm trying to feel the gap, so to speak. I hope I don't make things worse. Anyway, thanks for your encouragement.
KAthy
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Post by Mayleng on Dec 30, 2005 21:16:48 GMT -5
I would not retain a child at such a high grade because his self-esteem would suffer. However, if he does not have any LDs besides ADHD and has no problems learning but is just behind, in your case, I would consider it IF (and this is a big IF), he is in a different school. This might lessen the self-esteem problems. It might help him catch up. HOWEVER, if he does have an LD, then remediation (Resource Room) will be necessary, then retention is not going to work.
If he already has a 504, I don't understand why they have such an issue. With a 504, you don't get Resource Room (unless you are in d's district) anyway, so what is their problem?
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Post by Mayleng on Dec 30, 2005 21:24:48 GMT -5
looks like they are rushing these kids too soon. It sounds like they are in middle school instead of 4th grade.
Our kids don't have different teachers and don't change classes (unless its for Music, gym etc) until they go to Middle School in 6th grade. And it is a big change even for them at that age. I cannot believe they do that to 4th graders in your area. This is too much too soon for the any kid much less kids with LDs or ADHD.
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Post by d on Dec 30, 2005 22:33:05 GMT -5
If he already has a 504, I don't understand why they have such an issue. With a 504, you don't get Resource Room (unless you are in d's district) anyway, so what is their problem? Hey, I have been repeatedly told by the school that I am extremely *lucky* and should be thankful since my dd is the only 504 kid in the district in RR. I have a feeling that several years of being viewed as the lunatic mother from you know where had something to do with it. I was only "giving back" you know. It's the least they could do and a small consolation compared to the years of worry, advocacy and private expense we've gone through for dd. It is pretty clear in some reg's I've read (can't remember which ones) that 504 does not mean no RR. The interpretation and translation of the regs by districts can be pretty unbelievable sometimes.
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Post by d on Dec 30, 2005 22:45:58 GMT -5
Changing classes and such in 4th grade is way too much. It's too much for a lot of 6th graders. It places demands on executive functioning such as organization, memory and planning which are often weaknesses for ADHDers. Also, elementary age ADHDers can benefit enormously with consistency and attention from the same "right" classroom teacher - which can make/break a school year.
Other things to consider: - A kid does not have to be failing to get into special ed (IDEA regs) - What about a "superdeluxe" 504 that adds accom's and mods?
kc4braves, I know exactly how you feel regarding obsessing and not having a clear plan. You'll get there. Let us know what we can do to help. I wish your ds and you weren't going through this.
d
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Post by cosmos61 on Dec 30, 2005 23:06:18 GMT -5
I'm an old lady and attended grade school in the sixties. The year I started fourth grade they started switching classes for each subject. We did this for 4rth, 5th, and 6th in the elementary school. The logic was to prepare us for junior high school - 7th and 8th for us. I don't recall it being stressful in any way. I personally like the variety. Then I didn't have any problems with school and I don't think it would be a problem for the average kid. It's the exception to the rule kids that can't deal with this. I know my kiddo would have lots of problems doing this. I could see him not getting all the notes down and not getting homework written down. A total nightmare. This year (3rd grade) he switches class for social studies. I did have to speak up cuz the other teacher did not know my sons problem and he wasn't getting notes and assignments written down. Once I addressed the problem it's been fine.
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Post by kc4braves on Dec 31, 2005 12:59:15 GMT -5
I guess my problem is getting them to see the problem and understanding that it is a problem that something can be done about. I seem to get the idea from them ( and I kinda understand it) that some kids just aren't going to make A's, etc. but that doesn't mean they need anything special. I think they feel that is my ds. I just want him to have the chance to learn the material and be graded on what he knows not how well he organizes, etc. I don't expect all A's or anything which they implied that I did. I do, however, think he should make A's ( or come close) in subjects that he understands AND I CAN tell by working with him at home what those subjects are. I mean, a parent can tell after going over test material with a child if they know the material or not. If he has issues spitting out the material then we need to work on that or if he doesn't have enough time to spit it out, we need to address that. One of the biggest issues I see with the school is grading everything he does. That gives him no opportunity for review or cueing wich I don't see as a problem. I understand on TESTS that you do not help the child but...daily work?? Of course, I'm back to grades again BUT it is also an issue because, if he doesn't bring it home, i can't see if he needs help or not. HE turns things in without asking questions.
Apparently, from talking to other friends in the US, alot of TX and OK schools DO change classes begining in 4th grade. I think maybe FL also. They change as a class, though....basically rotating through different teachers. We changed between two teachers in 5th and 6th when I was a child but it wasn't an issue for me. Then again school was different then, I think, and I had no issues. I was probably naturally a B student who worked and made A's. I knew how to study and what was important and I want my son to know these things as well. I think he will probably makes C's in math and that's ok...as long as he gets it at some point. Right now he still has the issue of not always "getting" it combined with careless ADHD mistakes and slow memorization skills. He may always have the careless mistakes but if he understands it and knows how to multiply, I'll be thrilled.
OK. I have a question that ya'll may know how to answer. I'm concerned that he is behind in writing...not only how to write a paragraph kind of things but legibility, etc. He is in 4th grade and doesn't know how to write cursive writing. BEcause we moved, he never really was taught from start to finish and he has never had a chance to use anything he might know. Now he is using notebook paper and just can't do it. Is there a way to get a tutor for something like this? I could teach him but I think he would respond to someone else better. He is supposed to be getting evaluated by an OT once school starts back, although, nothing has been set up yet. I guess if they find a problem, that might take care of it for a while. I think he should have a fair shot at learning cursive even if he ends up being dysgraphic. I have read that cursive can be easier for ADHD kids than print. I guess I'm asking, where would you find help for something like that? We may get a math tutor to help him get as caught up as possible but the writing is my other big concern. Any suggestions on how to get help with these things if you don't qualify for SP ED ( which I'm not sure he does) and your school doesn't offer any programs like that?? I wish he could receive some of the help that the Sp Ed teacher provides for the SP ED kids without having to be Sp ed. Does that make sense? Things like homework help and help with organization. I don't want to overload him with tutoring, etc and I want him to be able to have time for baseball and freinds but i know we need some help.
Thanks for all the encouragement and ideas.
Kathy
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Post by Mayleng on Dec 31, 2005 13:49:32 GMT -5
These can be done with a 504 (not Sped Ed IEP or resource room).
As for learning cursive, Handwriting without Tears has a good book/exercises on cursive. I taught my son over the summer using this. His cursive is so much better now and he is in fourth grade. The thing with cursive is PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE. My son's teacher make them use cursive for EVERYTHING, so they don't forget. Some teachers only use it some of the time, which makes it hard for the kids to remember.
You could get outside OT if you feel he is dysgraphic. Does your insurance cover outside OT?
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Post by kc4braves on Dec 31, 2005 23:46:21 GMT -5
I have the HWT stuff. We worked alot on it over the summer and I thought he would be able to do it but with regular paper he is lost. And...even with their paper he is very slow. Maybe if his teacher had encouraged it more at the old school, he would have picked it up but it wasn't in her curriculum to teach it again. I wonder if I could just get the narrow HWT's paper and have him use it at school. I know that will aggravate the heck out of him, though, and I'm not sure if that is good or bad. He does NOT want to practice it and gets ill when we suggest it. I think if he didn't have much other homework, I could get him to work on it, though.
I am pretty sure that the insurance will cover the OT if we have to get it done ourselves, if the Dr. orders it. As of yet, we haven't met the ped. doctor. I'm hoping she will be a good one.
We have the 504 but we have to meet with the school in Jan to "change over to their forms." I'm not sure if it will get changed then or what. I don't really know how the 504 is going to translate into help with homeowrk and organization. I wanted it to but......
Oh well. Gonna go watch the ball drop on tv. Whoo hoo. Happy New Year!
Kathy
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Post by kc4braves on Dec 31, 2005 23:49:28 GMT -5
Oh..and what I was speaking of when I mentioned help with homework and organization is this. The Sp Ed teacher has a group or something that meets at the end of the day and goes over homework, making sure the kids have questions answered and have the correct supplies to get the work done. She also told me she could help him with his math....IF he were Sp Ed. But I guess that is before she found out he could make 70's. lol
KAthy
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Post by snorkeler on Jan 5, 2006 19:05:22 GMT -5
Kc4braves, You may want to go to www.net-haven.net on Sunday night(check the site for Mid west time zone),it's a live chat. They have an Advocate(Gina) that could help with suggestions when you go into your IEP to "change all your forms" to the new schools system. I know it's hard to change classes several times a day, as our son has been doing it since 2nd grade. His schedule this year reads like a Freshmen in collage. No wonder he still needs a Para aid. LOL! Is your child changing schools again next year because of zoning? Snorkeler
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Post by cosmos61 on Jan 6, 2006 13:01:45 GMT -5
I have this book called YARDSTICKS: Children in the Classroom Ages 4-14. Now my kiddo turns 9 in a few weeks and will be going to fourth grade next year so I was just reading over the nine year old chapter and I thought of this thread. It says
"...Test taking can be a disaster, and it's easy to hypothesize about the well-known dip in fourth grade test scores and the anxiousness of nines. The best test takers are the risk takers in the world; nines are anything but good risk takers."
This is the first I've ever heard of this "well-known dip in fourth grade test scores". Could this be why the teachers are happy with 70's?
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Post by kc4braves on Jan 6, 2006 23:00:08 GMT -5
Snorkeler, yes, ds will have to change schools again next year as he is in the overflow school. We may move across town since we are renting this house but it would not be to the school district he is in. We could request a transfer to the school he is in now, but unless things improve, that won't happen. lol It's not so much that he is changing classes that bothers me as much as having to deal with 3 teachers myself. I think they expect him to just suddenly be organized and i want them to help him get to where he is organized. Does that make sense? I am really wanting to insist on a binder with all his classes in it. They say it won't fit in his desk, BUT...if he has to carry it too each class and use it, what does that matter?? I think a 1 inch binder would probably be big enough, especially if we keep it cleaned out. amcfanny, I have never heard or the low 4th grade scores, either. I know there is usually a big jump between grades at most schools. Sometimes it is the 2nd-3rd jump, sometimes the 3rd-4th jump and sometimes the jump to middle school is a huge one. In CA, there was a BIG jump between 2nd and third, although they stayed in one classroom. Then it seemed the next big jump in responsibility and organization was the jump to middle school. MS had some increase in responsiblity between 3rd and 4th but nothing like here. I know they had to jump up here because kindergarten here is like preschool in MS but 4th here is much more advanced. They had to cover some ground somewhere quickly between 1st and 4th. I am trying to look at what he has learned more than the grades. However, I think the grades may reflect what he is learning. That concerns me when I know he loves science and social studies and usually picks up on it quickly. I'm wondering what the in class teaching techniques are? I'm wondering how the teacher manages to teach much when they also do "homework" in class. I really think his teacher before stood up in class and instructed and my son got alot out of that. I think they are hoping he gets it from reading and answering questions in the book at this school. He always came home before all excited telling me all about it and studying for a test was just reviewing a few points. Now, he comes home and seems to have no idea what I'm asking him...like he never heard anything about it before. Strange. Oh well. He goes back monday to start the new year. I hope things start looking up. Good luck to all of you in the new year! KAthy
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