Well things have been quiet in the mainstream - which is actually a really good thing. It means that the school has continued to do what good schools do - cater as best they can to the kids they have. The sport of the term is basketball which Hannah doesn't like as much as gymnastics - but otherwise she is continuing on her merry way... She has a couple of gorgeous little boys who are her 'besties'. When I ask her who she played with she says their name - it is so cute. She is starting to understand about Year 1 because the teachers have been talking about it and in fact we will be meeting the principal and the kindy teachers to discuss planning for Hannah for next year soon - sigh - another transition. I am hoping that there won't be any issue with her going into Year 1 - but what supports she will need and which class she will be in and who gets the jackpot of teaching her - that will bbe up for grabs I guess. I have been trying to check out the grade 1 teachers - I see the Year 2 ones more often as I help with Multilit each week - so I know that either of them would be fine - the current Year 1 teachers sound like they'd be fine - I just don't know them as well. Her funding for support is unlikely to change so they may want to consider a bit more withdrawal time as an effective way to help develop her literacy and numeracy skills. Or of course they may consider keeping her with the same teacher which would be great. Who knows - I'll have to wait and see what comes out at the meeting when it happens.
Kit has been chosen for the school's enrichment program - which we are very proud of him for - they gave him some maths assessment and he scored well enough in it to go into the program. He has been a couple of times now (it is once a week) and he just loves it. I am glad that they have used a standardised test to decide who accesses the program - sometimes it looks to me like school simply use G&T as a marketing device - I like to see a school who genuinely wants to address the individual needs of its students and one that promotes BOTH it's learning supports and it's extension programs as of equal relevance/importance. You'd be surprised how many high schools mention G&T but make NO mention of 'special needs' - yup so to those schools I say - "you lose one if you don't welcome the other - cos I can give you the best of both worlds..."
Both twins got awards at school assembly yesterday which was nice - Han for participation and interest in a learning activity and Kit for his attitude towards his learning.
Han's reading is coming along beautifully - last night she brought home a new reader and she had such a big grin on her little face as she clearly 'read' the title "We Dress Up". Gorgeous.
In Kansas they are now cancelling grade levels and letting the kids go on as they master things in the curriculum.
ReplyDeleteWhat dress-ups were in the book? Did Hannah try any?
Not surprised, really (that schools might use GATE as a marketing device). This might happen with the International Baccalaureate Diploma (though not so much with Primary Years and Middle Years: those schools are really committed).
Good luck with the meeting.