School Days

I wanted to update my 6.5 readers on how Zack and Sophia are doing in school this year. Some of you have followed my blog for years and know the history of the kids and their academic growth, but for some who haven't been reading forever, let me tell you that in November of Zack's kindergarten year, his teacher began telling me he wasn't cutting it and needed to be held back. I sensed, however, that this was #1 way too soon to be making such a call and #2 that he was/is a very bright boy who had a language barrier.

I am happy to report that Ms Brown was wrong about Zack and her lack of experience with ESL students proved to be at the root of her suggestion to hold him back. For her, a blank stare meant a lack of capability to understand, but really all it meant was can you speak more slowly as I take in all of the new stuff that surrounds me. After that year, Zack has consistently done well in school excelling in reading and spelling especially. I like to refer him as the "absent minded professor". He typically has his head in the clouds thinking deep thoughts forgetting the common every day stuff that is right in front of him. I am working on helping him to find a balance between street smarts and book smarts. He brought home his progress report yesterday and his lowest grade is a 91% due to a couple of low scoring quizzes in math. All of this with no help or prodding. So proud of him for his efforts. Yesterday he was telling Gina and I that he likes art, science and music much more than he likes PE. That pretty much sums him up in a nutshell although he seems to be very athletic as well. I think he'd take a book over a football any day.

With Sophia, kindergarten was a struggle. She tried and cried. If you've followed my blog, you know I went back and forth with holding her back in kinder. I ended up pushing her forward to first grade thinking that she may have the same experience as Zack. But, I wasn't that lucky. She got so frustrated in 1st grade that she threw a pencil at the grandmotherly woman who came in to do one on one teaching with kids struggling. Boy, was that a wake up call. Sophia's frustration level was so high that she was acting out in surprising ways. She is by nature the one who likes to follow ALL of the rules at school.

Anyhow, she did first grade for one semester in Long Beach and then when we moved to TX, we figured it was the perfect time to put her in kindergarten again for some relief and academic and emotional growth. With all of that being said, I am not sure how she is doing overall, but I have been in contact with her teacher and know that her teacher has no concerns at this point. Sophia also scored 100% on her first spelling test. So far things are moving right along. I am hoping and praying that this is the year she will learn to read and begin enjoying the journey she can take through books.

The kids are all in sports. Today there are soccer games (Zack and Sophia) and baseball games (Kenny). We chose to divide and conquer. I love watching my kids compete. And, I am my father's daughter and admit it. I want my kid to be the best on the team not so much for the sake of the sport, but because I hope and pray for solid scholarships for both as the opportunities will be vaster. For me, Gina and I look forward to traveling once they all sprout their wings. Until then, I'll keep pushing them out of their comfort zones and hopefully equipping them to become the type of co-workers you'd like to work beside. Prayers are welcomed!

God is good! And, I am not deceived when He continually shows himself real in our lives.