Spelling words…

Isaiah is learning to spell, which is really great. It won’t be too long now before he’ll really be able to read. We work on his spelling and reading words every night and it’s starting to pay off. Last night he was spelling words for me as I drove home from latch key.

Isaiah: Cat – C – A – T cat

Me : very good

Isaiah : Hat – H – A – T hat
Top – T – O – P top
Sit – S – I – T sit

Me: that is very good. What else can you spell?

Isaiah: I – S – A – I – A – H, that spells “Isaiah” and he has brown eyes, and black hair and he’s really cute. He’s a good seener (singer) and a good dancer.

How do you argue with that?

I'm hungry

Me: Do you want a snack?
Isaiah: No, I want a salad with meat on it.
Me: (after I pick myself up off the floor from falling there in shock) Sure, let me get that for you.

Now, for most kids, that's probably not that big of a deal. But Isaiah is extremely picky and almost never wants salad. He's been eating better lately because LeCole (Amy's friend) is offering him more things and he's seeing her kids eat things that he previously wouldn't want to eat. So, LeCole and I hurried to fix that boy a salad (with dressing) before he changed his mind.

Doing Well

Isaiah is doing very well in first grade. He does have some issues with reading but those are being worked on. He is going to the resource teacher for 90 minutes each day and has a para for 90 minutes each day. Once you add in recess, lunch, art, gym, music, etc. he's pretty much got his whole day planned out.

Mrs. B is working really well with him and everyone seems happy with how things are progressing.

I'm more busy with my own school so my posts are less frequent than they were. So, I'll just have to post what I can, when I can, and see how the year progresses.

First week down without a hitch

Isaiah had all green days last week. That was awesome and amazing at the same time. He has homework every night and after the third night of doing work, he made the statement that school was just too hard.

He didn't like me telling everyone what his teacher's name was and kept insisting that it was just "Mrs. B." Probably a good thing her name is Mrs. B to them. It's much safer than what it really is.

We spent every night last week going over the basic words and he gradually got to where he recognized more of them. Amy had him show me he could read part of Green Eggs and Ham, which is one of his favorite books. Some of it I'm sure he's memorized. But, memorization is a good way to begin and he can always branch out from there.

First day of first grade

Isaiah started first grade yesterday. His para was there waiting for him when Amy got him to school, so that was nice for him to see a familiar face. I'm sure he's got some of his friends from kindergarten in his class but we don't know which ones yet.

His teacher's name is Mrs. B. That's what everyone calls her because her last name is a mouthful for an adult to say, let alone a first grader. It's a hyphenated name and personally, I would have just left off the first half. But, she obviously likes her name so that is OK. Just a really tough one to say.

Mrs. B has a very set schedule which, for Isaiah, is a very good thing. He likes to do things in order. Once he's learned how things are to progress, he doesn't really like to deviate. Spontaneity is not quite in his vocabulary yet. When Amy explained to Mrs. B that Isaiah likes routine, she said that was great because she did, too. They should get along splendidly - we hope. Isaiah's version of "routine" may involve doing things his way and I'm sure her version of it involves doing things her way. I wonder which one will win that one?

Isaiah brought home a piece of paper with three columns of words he's supposed to know how to read. Hmmm... that's one of the concerns we had about him going into first grade. He doesn't know how to read these words. They include: see, two, to, four, for, where, what, that, the, look, little, her, me, he, you, we, him, three, blue, yellow, five, I, and a. I read them all to him and then asked which ones he could read. He got "I" (of course - it's his "I") and "a" - and with help got a few of the others. Then, I had him read them with me and asked him again which ones he could read. He got a few more. We read them one more time together and then he read them back to me. I would say that he was able to remember about 1/3 of them.

I don't have any training on how to teach someone to read so I don't know if I'm doing it correctly or not. We shall see how we both progress this year. It promises to be interesting.

The Birth Experience

Isaiah volunteered today just how he came into the world. I swear, we truly needed this on video tape. Those who know him and how expressive he gets when he talks will have to use their imagination. For those who don't - well, all I can say is that you've truly missed out on some great experiences.

This is Isaiah's description of how he was born.

"When I was your age, I was a baby in mommy's tummy and I tried to get out. I pushed with my belly (as he demonstrates arching his stomach out), I pushed with my bottom (as he's bent over with his rear in the air, shaking it as he goes), I pushed with my hands (punching his fists), and I pushed with my feet (kicking). I pushed and I pushed but nuffing happened.

Then, the doctor pulled me out. Then, you tried to feed me but it didn't work so they gave me a bottle.

And, I was born."

Keeping me company

Isaiah doesn't like to be alone when he does his "big job" in the bathroom. As such, he's decided that I don't like to be alone and he needs to keep me company any time he's here and I excuse myself to go to the restroom.

Isaiah, shut the door. I'm trying to use the restroom.

Just a little bit, Grandma. I don't want you to be alone.

But, I want to be alone. I don't need company and I don't need to leave the door open.

OK... Grandma?

Yes, Isaiah.

If you need anything, you just call me and I'll take care of it for you.

Thank you, Isaiah. I'll be sure to remember that.