Where has the summer gone - heck it's almost October. I'm a little behind. First with the announcements - the fundraiser for Z-Place was very successful (although a little hot in the gym). It was a much better event than last years' - in large part because of the couple that coordinated it. Also, little man's birthday party was a smashing success. We had about 16 kids under age 5 running around our house and having a GREAT time. I hope all the parents enjoyed it too. It was just fun to catch up with everyone. So now little man is two and he is showing his colors!
So, I will update the goals that I wrote in May:
1. Work on reading classical literature for Great Books. - Didn't really happen. I can say that my hubbie has listened more to stuff about these works but I am no closer than I was before. I think I should probably pick a list and start reading!
2. Learn more about teaching reading - possibly through SWR. - I did not start following the SWR program. However, I did read a lot about reading this summer and have learned a few things:
- Many Montessori teacher's are just as confused as I was about how to help Montessori students learn all the spelling rules etc. These are not things that are easily "discovered". So I think I like Montessori oral prep work and hands on approach but at some point a kiddo needs some direct teaching.
- Core Knowledge is working on a pilot program using Diane McGuinnesses approach to reading. I spent a lot of the summer before little man was born reading her stuff. Their new curriculum sounds FABULOUS! I have read most of the lessons they have posted and it's great. They have a skills stream (direct phonemic instruction) and a listening strand that incorporates science, fairy tales and social studies to build vocabulary and following story structure, etc. This is a GREAT way for children to learn.
- Spell to Write and Read - I just can't see myself using this structured and complex of a program to teach a five year old to read. I think it is a GREAT spelling program and I very well might encourage the use of it for 2nd or 3rd graders to make sure the "get" it all and are spelling well.
In the end the point for us now is to help little guy hear the sounds in words and play with words and stories to help prep him for reading - when the time comes.
3. Being better at planning meals - well that didn't happen either!
4. Being outdoors - going to the park - I was very successful at this. To be honest, this is one of the few goals that I really felt God calling me to do. Everytime we get in the car little man wants to go to the park. We have been to a park somewhere at least 4 times a week. He has had fun playing with other kids, we even made some new friends! He is a parkaholic. We'll have to see what happens as it turns colder - but for now we continue to enjoy the park.
Many other things have changed this summer - but for now we'll leave it at that.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Friday, August 22, 2008
Our own Olympics
Wrestling
Today as we pulled into the driveway I saw a green lizard on the house. I told little man to be quite and got him out of the car quickly so that we could see the lizard before he disappeared. Then we saw another big green lizard (this is the kind that one of the little boys on my block squeezed to death once upon a time). The lizards were near each other and started doing this strange head bobbing motion. Then they tried to attack each other. I thought this was our territory - but apparently they think it is their turf to defend. They basically had each other by the mouths and were holding on to each other for a pretty long time. We watched the match for at least 5 to 7 minutes - little guy thought it was pretty interesting. Finally, I had to take the groceries inside. When we went back out to check they had disappeared. I have never seen that before.
Rhythmic Dance
We have been a little lax with the wee one about TV watching with the Olympics on - it's sports and so it doesn't seem quite the same. He really enjoyed the diving a few days ago. Today we caught the very end of Rhythmic Gymnastics. The little guy took to it quickly. He found himself one of his play ties and began doing his own moves. I don't think he has much of a future in the sport (since it is a female sport) but he thought it was pretty fun. Don't tell his dad!
Today as we pulled into the driveway I saw a green lizard on the house. I told little man to be quite and got him out of the car quickly so that we could see the lizard before he disappeared. Then we saw another big green lizard (this is the kind that one of the little boys on my block squeezed to death once upon a time). The lizards were near each other and started doing this strange head bobbing motion. Then they tried to attack each other. I thought this was our territory - but apparently they think it is their turf to defend. They basically had each other by the mouths and were holding on to each other for a pretty long time. We watched the match for at least 5 to 7 minutes - little guy thought it was pretty interesting. Finally, I had to take the groceries inside. When we went back out to check they had disappeared. I have never seen that before.
Rhythmic Dance
We have been a little lax with the wee one about TV watching with the Olympics on - it's sports and so it doesn't seem quite the same. He really enjoyed the diving a few days ago. Today we caught the very end of Rhythmic Gymnastics. The little guy took to it quickly. He found himself one of his play ties and began doing his own moves. I don't think he has much of a future in the sport (since it is a female sport) but he thought it was pretty fun. Don't tell his dad!
Monday, August 11, 2008
Unintended Consequences . . . Child Care Crisis
This fall many children across Texas will go to preK3 or preK4 for the first time. Only children living in poorer areas, homeless children and English as a second language students will have access to these free services in their neighborhood (so this does not apply to affluent areas of town). Research has shown again and again that children need stimulating environments, exposure to books, stories and songs in order to build their vocabulary skills at a young age and opportunities for positive social interaction. In theory free PreK sounds great!
All this is well and good until you realize the effect this has on the child care industry. All the non profit child care programs (churches, neighborhood programs, etc.) will either have to dramatically raise their prices or shut down as a result of this new "opportunity". Without preschool children on their roles it is almost impossible for a child care center to make ends meet (much less make a profit).
The ratios in infants are 4:1 and in a preschool room (3 and above) they are 15:1. In an infant room - charging $375.00 a month (yes that's $4500/ year for the family - the per capita income for poor areas in San Antonio is about $12,000.00/ year - so that's 1/3 of your income for ONE CHILD!)- you can't even cover the cost of the day care workers (and that's paying them 6.50 as part time workers - federal minimum wage rises to $7.25 next year)! You just can't do it with the younger children! If you are a parent just trying to make ends meet will you choose free or a paid preschool - FREE every time. So as a result of this we can add child care to the list of things that are fleeing the inner city. As it is, most people can barely afford day care and the waiting list for child care assistance is a mile long.
I am currently on the board of a program that has run a child care center for over 30 years. In that time they have consistently been one of the lowest and most affordable quality day cares in the area. However, we, along with many others are feeling the pinch. This is yet another example of how governments "good programs" can have serious unintended ripple effects. I am hoping that this will be an impetus for people to rethink child care in general - but we'll see!
I have much more to say about child care - but we'll stop here for now.
All this is well and good until you realize the effect this has on the child care industry. All the non profit child care programs (churches, neighborhood programs, etc.) will either have to dramatically raise their prices or shut down as a result of this new "opportunity". Without preschool children on their roles it is almost impossible for a child care center to make ends meet (much less make a profit).
The ratios in infants are 4:1 and in a preschool room (3 and above) they are 15:1. In an infant room - charging $375.00 a month (yes that's $4500/ year for the family - the per capita income for poor areas in San Antonio is about $12,000.00/ year - so that's 1/3 of your income for ONE CHILD!)- you can't even cover the cost of the day care workers (and that's paying them 6.50 as part time workers - federal minimum wage rises to $7.25 next year)! You just can't do it with the younger children! If you are a parent just trying to make ends meet will you choose free or a paid preschool - FREE every time. So as a result of this we can add child care to the list of things that are fleeing the inner city. As it is, most people can barely afford day care and the waiting list for child care assistance is a mile long.
I am currently on the board of a program that has run a child care center for over 30 years. In that time they have consistently been one of the lowest and most affordable quality day cares in the area. However, we, along with many others are feeling the pinch. This is yet another example of how governments "good programs" can have serious unintended ripple effects. I am hoping that this will be an impetus for people to rethink child care in general - but we'll see!
I have much more to say about child care - but we'll stop here for now.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Cute Moments
I can't believe it has been a month since my last blog. Mostly because there has been a lot going on - but not too much to stop me from blogging. Before I launch into my most recent tirades - I will share a story about my very cute (almost 2 year old) son.
On Thursday I captured the little tyke teaching his stuffed dog. He was using all the words he knows and showing the dog all about them. He was reading the dog a book, blowing the dogs nose, putting the dog to bed and he wanted to feed the dog too. He also showed the dog his train and his cars. To show him these things my son would take the dogs paw and put them on the train or car and say the word. My favorite though was when he disappeared for a minute. When he re-appeared he told me bath and took me back to the bath tub. Sure enough, the dog was in the bath tub ready to get clean. I convinced little guy that his stuffed animal really didn't need a bath. This weekend we had the dog with us when we went to visit an old friend. I told my son to knock and he took his dogs paw and tried to knock on the door - it was pretty cute!
It is moments like these that I'm so glad there is no reason to miss them. At other times (like when he's throwing a fit about putting his clothes on) I really get frustrated. It is really fun to see him learning so much.
On Thursday I captured the little tyke teaching his stuffed dog. He was using all the words he knows and showing the dog all about them. He was reading the dog a book, blowing the dogs nose, putting the dog to bed and he wanted to feed the dog too. He also showed the dog his train and his cars. To show him these things my son would take the dogs paw and put them on the train or car and say the word. My favorite though was when he disappeared for a minute. When he re-appeared he told me bath and took me back to the bath tub. Sure enough, the dog was in the bath tub ready to get clean. I convinced little guy that his stuffed animal really didn't need a bath. This weekend we had the dog with us when we went to visit an old friend. I told my son to knock and he took his dogs paw and tried to knock on the door - it was pretty cute!
It is moments like these that I'm so glad there is no reason to miss them. At other times (like when he's throwing a fit about putting his clothes on) I really get frustrated. It is really fun to see him learning so much.
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