Another week in the books. This week definitely had its ups and downs that's for sure. Let me start with the downs. First of all, the beginning of the week started like most other weeks, which kind of depressed me. I always have such high hopes for the start of the week. After a so-so Tuesday, I decided to try something new on Wednesday. I let Josh decide what we studied on Wednesday, for the most part. We told him we still had to do reading because we think that is important to keep up with. So we did some science stuff most of the day on Wednesday, in between chasing Liam around and keeping him from making too many messes, as he is opt to do. In the morning, Josh got his shells out from our last couple of trips to South Carolina and we looked them up online to identify them. He put them on paper and traced them and I helped label them once we figured out what they were. This activity was enlightening for both of us. He couldn't decide what else to do so I decided to take it outside since it was a beautiful day. Impromptu field trip to Bald Eagle State Park. Here we went for a short nature walk where we checked out the pond to see if anything interesting was lurking thereabouts. Josh saw one frog but mostly we spied lots of grasshoppers, dragonflies, butterflies and bees. Not much else. After the pond, we took off to the other end of the trail and saw some goldfinches and a hawk, although Josh swore it was an eagle. Wishful thinking on his part I believe. Poor kid is dying to see an eagle in the wild. Since animals are his thing, I thought going "creature adventuring" would cure him of his homeschooling ho-hums.
Well, Thursday I had such high hopes for a really good day. He whined and complained about doing his math, as usual. Later when it was time to do reading, I got more whining and complaining and we had a serious head-to-head, where I must say I really lost it. I thought my head was going to explode. On the bright side, after this near-rupture, Josh and I really seemed to have a good bonding experience. He told me he didn't think he was learning anything, that he can't read, but as we were chatting, I was absently quizzing him on words we've gone over so far this year (and there are many). He got every one of them correct. I pointed this out to him after we were done chatting and I could see a smile come across his face. I told him he's learning and doing really well, that he just has to apply himself and give me his attention when we're doing lessons. It was a really good moment for both of us. In fact, when I look back now and think about it, I nearly tear up. Friday when we did our schoolwork, it was probably the best day we've had so far this year. He did his math without complaining. Reading was done with lots of energy and what I'd say was almost enthusiasm. It was a very good day. We even did twice the amount of time on read aloud than normal and he didn't seem to mind. Who is this kid I am thinking.
Today Josh tells me he's going to do really well this week. He got me to start a system like they used in school (positive paws) and he tells me he's going to earn a lot this week. So far this year, I have only given out 8, two of which I gave him Friday. I really hope he keeps his word. I know there will be tough days and he isn't always going to cooperate. He's 6. I'm sure it's expected. I guess I need to see things progressing for the positive. It's hard to constantly feel like I'm fighting. Josh is smarter than he gives himself credit for and I know he's capable of figuring this stuff out. I am also learning though that I get more out of him when I let him be a boy and don't expect him to sit still all the time. One way we got through reading Friday was for him to read a little then throw himself on the couch. He got his exercise and I got to see him really read like I never have before. I have some tweaking to do with my methods of teaching but this week showed me that it can be done. I also decided to do a fun science day once a week, even if it does set us back a little on other things. We will catch up. The world will not end. This too shall pass.
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