Christmas 2010

Well, the Christmas season got off to a slow start for us.  I am thinking because we were so busy from the 1st - 17.  Either 1 or more things was going on every day.  I was practicing with Trinity's choir for our proformance and then the proformance.  Zachary was in the local highschool production of The Wizard of OZ.  He was the mayor of munchin land.  He had practices and then 5 proformances.  The rest was either cub scouts, Christmas parties, and a birthday party. 

We started our buying the week of Christmas and finished the day before Christmas Eve.  I don't suggest this to anyone it was crazy.  But, everything was found and wrapped and under the tree.

Christmas Eve Brooke got to sing at church and light candles.  Then we made cookies for Santa.  The kids were difficult to put to sleep. 

Christmas day started out at 5am with Brooke waking up and crawling into our bed.  We somewhat sleep until 7am. 

Brooke's presents:  A very big baby doll, perry pj's, roller skates, doll, pillow pet, a couple of matching games, pink boots, a coat, a red dress, cloths, Phineas and Ferb figures, dora video, dora figures.

Zachary's presents:  Ben 10 ultramatrix, ben 10 figures, perry pj's (2 sets), more pj's, lego star wars, Super Mario Bro's 2 along with the book that explains everything, electronic monolopy

My presents:  a new computer, Wii Fit, Jillian Micheals Wii fit, fuzzy slippers, necklace from Zachary, tennis shoes, flip flops, belt,

Mark's presents:  Wii Tiger Woods golf, Wii boweling, crown royal, tennis shoes, chocolates, jeans, gun shells, pic of his mom/dad/scott, movies (tons of movies)

Family gifts:  creationary and repair/paint the house

All in all it was a very goo Christmas.

First Day of school at Annie Sims

Well, yesterday was Zachary first day at Annie Sims.  He really enjoyed it and was looking forward to going back.  So, he had 5 sheets front and back to do for homework and he had done all but 1 back page.  He gave me his homework that he had done and said he only needed help on one page.  Then after seeing if everything was correct I went back to the front page.  That's when I realized the 5 pages of sheets was homework for the entire week and not for just Monday .  He finished it up a weeks worth of homework in about 40 min.  Guess that gives him time to work on Cub Scout and other stuff in the evenings.  We will continue to study the spelling words and the 20 min. reading per day.  The spelling words are really really easy compared to what he has been doing.





.

Really Big Changes

We have decided to take Zachary out of TXVA (virtual public school) and we are putting him into Annie Sims a brick and mortar public school. He will be going into the 4th grade. We didn't talk to the principal about subject acceleration or anything. I am going to try and continue to work with him in math on his level. He is excited about the new adventure. I know the first few weeks will be a huge change for him but I know he can handle it.

I will be taking about a month off from really doing anything other than keeping my house clean and running errands. However, I have decided that I would like to get a teaching certification. So, I will be talking to Texas A&M in Texarkana about their certification program. Probably starting in Nov. I will start substituting again but only on the days that Brooke goes to her preschool. Last time I did this I was pregnant with Brooke.

With Zachary going back to school that will leave me at the house with Brooke. So, I will start doing more than i've been doing with her. She is progressing at such a fast pace since she started Kindlelight. She knows all her colors now and has started tracing her letters and some numbers. It is amazing what they have gotten her to do at her preschool.

So, all in all there are huge changes at the Alexander's house.

New happenings with school

Well, Zachary teacher, her lead teacher and I had a meeting last week. It was about Zachary's Scantron test and what that means for his schooling. The test he took was an achievement test. The objectives said that he needed to work on 7th grade math and 9th,10th,&11th grade for Reading/Language Arts. Well, Mark and I decided that there was no way he could work that high up but maybe he should be move up for a bit of a challenge. Well, his teacher agreed. They gave him 3 units to do in his math and 3 units for Vocabulary & Writing and then they will move him up. So, in about 1-2 weeks Zachary will be placed into 6th grade math which is Pre-Algebra and 5th grade for Language Arts, spelling, literature, vocabulary. He is excited and working really hard to complete the 3 units so that he can start the new material. I am so proud of him!

Schoo Year 2010-2011 (4th/5th grade)

Well, we somewhat started school this past Monday. I am not making him do much for school. We are just gradually wadding into school instead of jumping feet first into the deep end. I think this may go well. I am going to try to incorporate more You Tube videos and more fun into this school year.

Zachary will be in 4th grade this year. His Science, Social Studies (Texas History), Health, Art, Latin and PE are all 4th grade. He is 50% finished with Spelling, Literature, and Language Arts (except for Grammar he will finish it in a week). After he finishes up the last half of Spelling, Literature and Language Arts he will begin 5th grade. He will be starting 5th grade math and it will be interesting because it seems most of it is online and I'm not really needed. I am only needed if he needs help.

Brooke's first day of Preschool / Drawing

Yesterday, Brooke started Preschool at Kindlelight. She is in the 3 year old classroom even through she is only 2.5 year old. She is as tall or if not taller than most in her classroom The teacher said she did very well. That she was the most outgoing of all the kids. She would go play in all the centers where the other kids would just stand and be still.

Brooke drew a picture of a little girl today.

Sunday School Summer Swim Party

Yesterday was our annual Sunday School Summer Swim Party. There were so many kids but atleast no one was pregnant this year. The pool was so nice and the kids really did enjoy it, even the bigger boys (men) who decided after dinner to have a diving, distance, and cannon ball contest. Mark and Zachary went out on the boat first and did the tube. Zachary did the tube by himself, I'm so proud of him. Then they switched and took the wave runner back into shore.

Brooke and I hung out at the pool but then we decided to get onto the boat. I've been going to these parties for 4 years now and this was the first time I went on the boat. She then said she wanted to do the tube. So, we both hopped into it and off we went. After we got out she said "That was a blast". Yes, this is coming from my 2.5 year old lil girl. She is the dare devil in our family and the one to give me gray hairs.

The food was good there were hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, desserts.

All in all in was a great day with great friends. Can't wait for next year.

First Sleep Over

Well, Zachary had his first sleep over. A good friend of his came to our house. They were playing, laughing, making tents, and having a blast. Then around 10:00pm the other boy started crying. He didn't bring something from home and he just wanted to go home. So, we called the boys mother and she came and picked him up. Zachary was so sadden by the boy going home we had both boys crying at one point.

We have told Zachary that we will try later in the future and that for right now we will have playdates during the day at our house. However, Zachary has no problems spending the night at someone else's house so he could go over to his friends house.

Valedictorian Speaks Out Against Schooling in Graduation Speech -- Signs of the Times News

I read a Valedictorian's speech to her graduating class and was very moved by what she had to say. She talks about how the education system failed her and how it is failing all children. It is a great article and I wish everyone could read and listen to what the children of our nation are trying to tell us about their education.

Valedictorian Speaks Out Against Schooling in Graduation Speech -- Signs of the Times News: "http://www.sott.net/articles/show/212383-Valedictorian-Speaks-Out-Against-Schooling-in-Graduation-Speech"

Summer

WOW! I can't believe it has been so long since my last post. SORRY!

Well, school is over. Zachary has completed all of 3rd and 4th grade math. He has also completed 50% of 4th Spelling, Literature and Grammar so he will begin where he left off next school year.

June was really busy. The first week Zachary, Brooke and I drove to Longview, TX everyday. Zachary had a robotics camp that he attended. He really did enjoy it. He was able to build a spidar robot and a kangaroo robot.

The 2nd week was VBS/Sports camp at church. Zachary and Mark went to the park for Sports camp and Brooke and I went to the church for VBS. They both had a great time but we may take next year off.

Then we had a week that had nothing to do. It was really nice since we had been so busy for 2 weeks.

Then the 4th week Zachary and I attended Webelos Summer Camp at Camp Dierks in Oklahoma. It was 4 days 3 nights in a tent. It rain a little bit on us but not much. The first full day was very hot. Zachary earned his aquanauts, scientist, geologist, and foresters badge. He also earned his archery and bb gun belt loop and pin, however, he had already gotten those b4.

Now, we are up to 4th of July weekend. We will be meeting our new choir director tonight and tomorrow will be the 4th of July celebration at Trinity Baptist Church.

As soon as I have uploaded a video from Webelos camp I will post it. My camera ran out of batteries, UGH!

Finished!!!!

Well, Zachary has officially finished 3rd grade even through he finished it last year too. But, this is recognized by the state where at last year wasn't. So, you may be asking what is he doing now. Well, we have completed 90% for 4th grade math, 9% 4th grade spelling, 14% 4th Literature, and 28% 4th Language Arts. He will continue this until June 30. The school doesn't allow a student to move up a grade in any of the other subjects. Since we have to do 6 hrs of school a day he is progressing in his 4th grade subjects faster than normal because we have lots of time and few subjects. We are also doing an independent study on Chemistry and the Medieval Time period.

When Zachary starts school next year he will be considered a 4th grader but will be starting 5th grade math and will be over half way finished with 4th grade spelling, literature, and language arts. So, probably 3-4 months after school starts he will be mainly doing 5th grade subjects while the rest will be 4th grade. I am wondering if at some time we should try to get his other subjects up a grade level so that he would be doing the same grade for all subjects. This could only be accomplished by having him test out of these subjects that he is below compared to his other subjects. I am just thinking if we needed or wanted to transition to a regular brick and mortar school the transition would be smoother.

Snowing in Spring!

Yes, today is the 2nd day of Spring and it is snowing outside. Friday I was in shorts and a t-shirt but Monday it should be back up to 60 and 70 by Tuesday. This weather is so weird.

Medieval Times

Zachary has finished his 3rd grade Social Studies/History for the year actually back in Jan/Feb. (don't remember). So, I thought I would pick a time in history that we haven't covered and came up with the Medieval Times.

What boy doesn't like Knights in Armor, castles, kings, queens, battles and such. So, yesterday we kicked off our study but in a really neat way. We went to Medieval times in Dallas. For those that have never been it is really cool. The whole place looks like a castle. You then wonder around the great room. Then you are seated and in the middle is the arena. Your meal is served by the serf of the castle. You sit in different colors and you have a knight that has your color. This is the knight you cheer for while he battles. The knights ride real horses, have joust, sword fights all under the eye of the King and princess.

Along with watching the knights you get a meal. Soup, bread, half of a chicken, rib, potato and dessert along with tea. All of this has to be eaten with your hands b/c they didn't have utensils during the Medieval Time period.

So, this was the start of our study. I plan for him to read about King Arthur and the Knights of the round table. Build a castle and learn about all aspects of the castle. Learn about the kings role along with the Knights. What the knights had to do to become Knights and what they had to wear. We may even make a costume. Along with reading books and projects, we will do some internet research. To finish our study we are planning on going to Scarborough Faire in May.

I do have a picture of us at Medieval Times. I hope to upload and post it soon.

Calculator

Today is a big day in math. I purchased a math workbook at Staples for Zachary to use. This workbook is going to be our training book for using a calculator. I thought I could just throw the workbook and calculator and tell him to get after it. But, no! I actually had to do a few as examples to get him started. However, after that he was off.

You may be asking why am I showing or allowing my 8 year old to use a calculator. Shouldn't he still be working addition, subtraction, multiplication and division in his head? The answer is yes he should be but he also needs to learn how to correctly use a calculator. He will continue doing his regular math program, TXVA 4th grade, without the calculator. This way he will be doing both, math without a calculator and math with a calculator.

As a student gets into higher math they eventually learn how to use a calculator and on certain standardized test they can use a calculator. I am teaching my son how to use his brain and the calculator.

Valentine's Blog Header

I am enjoying designing my blog headers. It is really fun!

Pictures from Brooke's 2nd birthday Party

Ok, here are some pictures of Brooke's 2nd birthday.















Doesn't really like the hat and the piggy tails poking out of it.




















Likes eating her pizza and cake. Her cake was a barbie doll cake.

















Oh, Mom can you help me reach that toy?



















Who, ME? It MY birthday I didn't do it!








My beautiful 2 year old girl. She looks so much older than 2 in this picture.

Moving on UP

Well, last week Zachary finished 3rd grade Social Studies, however this isn't a subject in which the school will move him up to 4th so he is just finished until next year or unless I want to do something with him. I'm thinking about getting a maps workbook, well see.

The other thing that happened last week is very exciting. Zachary's principal and I have been talking back and forth along with his teacher. His teacher said that he should have been placed into 4th grade this year. The principal said that there was some misscommunications at the beginning of the year about who had the authority to move a child up a grade. So, the principal looked at Zachary's progress and decided that he was far enough along in 3rd grade Literature, Language Arts and Spelling to go ahead and move him up to 4th grade in just these 3 subjects. But, that she couldn't move him up into 4th grade completely. She also said that she would work with me and his teacher about his course placements for next school year. He was also placed into the Advanced Learners Program so that he can receive G/T services.

Zachary is really excited about moving up to 4th grade in Spelling, Literature and Language. He should receive his new books/workbooks Tuesday/tomorrow.

The principal is also talking with the Head of the school and the district about CBE's and previous instructions and weather or not they would accept a 70% on the CBE. She is also talking to them about courses taken at Texas Tech University ISD and if they can accept those courses. So, there is possibly going to be some changes.

Missing Tooth

Well, Zachary has had an eventful week and a half. 1.5 weeks ago he lost one of his top front teeth. Now he has lost the other top front tooth. He is my full fledged snagglepuss.

Zachary's moving up in subjects

Well, I have talking with Zachary's principal about his placement and him fixing to finish up with 3rd grade language arts. Well, the principal went ahead and moved Zachary up to 4th grade Spelling, Literature and Language Arts. The materials have been ordered and the classes are up on the schools website. Zachary is sooooo excited!

The principal is also discussing some other issue like taking the CBE's when you have prior instruction and taking classes at TTU. She is also going to help with Zachary's school schedule for next year. WOW! This principal gets gifted children. Oh, she also put him into the advanced learners program which is like the G/T program for a brick and mortar school.

So, there is some exciting changes and hopefully some challenges in store for Zachary.

College class update

Well, the college said that they didn't think it was appropriate for an 8 year old to be in a college class. Then told me good luck on finding other ways of challenging him. Well that's just one of the reason I was talking to them.

But, I did find out through reading their policies that there is entrance requirements when going through the continuing education when taking a non-credit course and that the College is an affirmative action, equal opportunity institution that does not discriminate in either admissions or employment with regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

So, per these statements it doesn't matter that Zachary is 8 years of age or 80 years of age they can not discriminate him from admissions to class based on his age.

Now, not that we are trying to enroll him now but either in Aug. 2010 or Jan. 2011 we may enroll him into a class.

Mathematically gifted boy finally gets what he needs

http://oilf.blogspot.com/2010/01/mathematically-gifted-boy-finally-gets.html

Follow the link above to a story about a gifted boy who finally got math at his level and how it changed the way he acted and his medication.

I wished all schools would see that educating a child at the child's academic level and not by the child's age is best for everyone not only gifted children.

On a side note we are talking with the local community college about a math course for Zachary starting next August. The continuing education department has agreed to allowing him to take the course through their department now we only have to get the college's approval for him to take it either through them or through continuing education department.

Health Update

Well, no food has been able to stay down for 1 month now. I have only lost 12 lbs. which to me is surprising I thought it would be more but that's o.k. Today I am going for Pre-op for the endoscopy on Friday. I will have a tube with a small camera put down into my stomach to see if anything else is going on down there. Right now the doctor thinks I have gastropynesis (sp?) this is where my stomach doesn't digest my food fast enough.

Quote of the Day!

As a society we must be able to admire ability, to support ability, to celebrate ability and to nurture ability. It must be as socially acceptable to support genius that is intellectual as it is to support genius that is athletic. – Michael Clay Thompson

SENG Group Facilitator Training

This past week I went to Dallas, Texas for training. The training was through SENG (Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted) so that I can facilitate parents groups. Dr. Webb has a written a book called "The Parents Guide to Gifted Children". I am now certified to facilitate parent groups using this book.

The training was a wonderful experience. I met parents who understood the difficulties in raising a gifted child and school employees who understood the academic needs of gifted children. The support not only has me as a parent but also for me to bring training and a local support group for parents of gifted children was overwhelming. I thank all the ladies who attend this training in Dallas.

I am hoping that in the next few months I can arrange a meeting for the parents of gifted children in my area to see if there is a need or what do we as parents in this area want our group to be.

For more information about SENG please go to www.Sengifted.org

If you would like to purchase this book go to http://www.amazon.com/Parents-Guide-Gifted-Children/dp/0910707790

Christmas 09 Blog Header

Here is the blog header that I designed for Christmas 2009

Happy New Years!!!!

We'll we are 9 days into the year 2010. The first 9 days hasn't been a good one for me. I have been sick. I have been sick to my stomach, no appetite, pains in my right side, and very bad headaches (Migraines). I have gotten shots in the back of my head for the headaches but that didn't work. On Jan. 6 I went to the ER but the diagnoses was laughable. I have started going to a different doctor and she seems more interested in finding out why I am sick rather than just treating the symptoms. She says that my x-ray shows an enlarged liver. I go next week to get an ultrasound.

Zachary has started the 2nd semester at TXVA. On the first day back he completed his Health subject. So, that is one less subject we have to deal with. He is about 50% finished with 4th grade math and should finish it and at least 3 other subject my the beginning of March if not sooner. I have emailed his teacher telling her that everything is coming really easy for him and nothing challenges him. I am worried that if this continues he will not know how to deal with a challenging situation when one comes about. I may have to talk about having him skip 4Th grade next year and go into 5th just to get material that is challenging at times and easy at times. However, not that all of it will be skipped b/c he will have completed 4th grade math. We'll see!

Brooke seems like she has grown up over night. She has a big girl room and big girl toys and loves them. She is no longer a baby but a toddler/preschooler. She knows her letters and their sounds completely and we are now working on putting letter together to read. She is also learning her colors and shapes. She can count to 10 easily and she use to count to 20 but we stopped doing that and either she has forgotten or is playing like she doesn't know.

In a week I will start a Biggest Loser contest at the local gym. However, with me being sick I have already lost 8 pounds. Not the way I wanted to start losing weight but I have to look on the positive side of things. I would love to lose 50 pounds and if I lose only 4 pounds a month that's 1 pound a week I can lose 50 pounds by the beginning of next year.