Fourth-Sixth Grade December 7, 2007

     When it came time to make requests for fourth grade, I asked my kids if they wanted to be in the same classroom.  It was nice for me in regards to homework and field trips to have them in the same classroom, but this was their school experience, not mine.  My kids were both academically strong and the choices for fourth grade teachers at our school were good.  My daughter decided she wanted to be in a class by herself and with it being okay with my son, we requested separate teachers.  It was strange, they had been together since pre-school.  However, it was the best thing that could have happened.

     My son, even though very bright had difficulties with organization.  He relied on his sister frequently for homework assignments.  My kids were also different in their strenths and interests and we decided it was a good year to try separate classrooms. One of the fourth grade teachers was excellent in teaching science and math, while the other was strong in writing.    My son chose the science and math teacher and my daughter requested the teacher that excelled in writing.  It was the best decision we ever made.  My son worked hard on becoming organized.  I purchased an expandable file notebook to help him keep his papers organized.  He was able to be himself in the classroom and not be in the shadow of his sister.  This ended up being his favorite teacher and school year.

     My daughter also did very well.  Without her brother in the classroom, she worked on building her friendships.  Academically and socially, it was the best decision that we made.

     My kids are now in the sixth grade.  They get along, but they still have their moments.  They continued to request different teachers for fifth and sixth grade, which I can now say I am glad.  My son still loves playing football and my daughter now plays volleyball.  I continue to work hard to keep the lines of communication open and to make sure my kids know how much they are loved.  I know I am still over protective.  I make it a point to get to know my kid’s friends and their parents.  Life can be challenging, knowing when to let go and allowing your kids to learn from their mistakes.  I guess that is all a part of growing up…

Kindergarten-third grade December 1, 2007

     When my kids turned five we combined the office and guest bedroom and gave each kid their own bedroom.  It was fun painting and decorating the rooms…one pink and the other blue.  It was different for my kids at first.  They had been together for so long it took some getting used to.  We just felt it was time for them to have their own space. 

     Then came kindergarten, the first day of school was hard…for me that is.  I cried after I dropped the twins off and waited anxiously for the bus to bring them home.  I decided to keep my kids in the same class for kindergarten, it not only was easier to have them both in the same class, it was reassuring to me that they were together.  My kids enjoyed school. I worked with my kids all summer long preparing them for school.  We read a lot!  There are so many fun activities available for children to give them a head start in school, I highly recommend it.

     I started volunteering in the classroom shortly after the school year began.  It was a great way to get to know the teacher and students and to be able to see first hand what was going on in the classroom.  Interacting with other students also gave you an idea socially and developmentally where children were at this age.  It was definitely a positive experience.  I thoroughly enjoyed working with the students and being a support system for their teacher. 

      My kids started playing soccer in kindergarten.  It was a lot of fun and great exercise.  Learning how to be a member of a team was also beneficial.  My daughter decided after her first season that she didn’t want to play soccer, but wanted to do gymnastics instead.  My son kept playing soccer until third grade when he decided to try flag football.

   In regards to school, I decided to keep my kids together in the same class through third grade. I continued working in the school and I found it to be a wonderful experience getting to know all of the students.  My kids were doing very well in school.  I worked with them a lot outside of school and during the summer.  Reading instead of T.V. was always encouraged.  I was lucky that academically and socially my children were doing well.  

     When issues did come up we always talked about it.  My kids were forming their own identities and friends, which was good.  Third grade was the last year that we had a combined birthday party.  My kids still got along, but they had different interests.  My son loved sports and playing rough and my daughter was more interested in art.  I encouraged them to be their own person.  In addition, I worked with them on settling disagreements on their own.  They were growing up…