Braille, Computers/routers, and Cub Scouts

The day was filled with testing for the most part. I have a student that needed to have testing to show adaquate yearly progress (AYP) but the first grade test did not come in braille because there were too many pictures. We got permission to use the Brigance instead. We had the same problem last year with the SAT10 kindergarten test so I was worried this might happen again. Next year, maybe, he will take the same test as his peers. The student did remarkably well in the reading section - even completing a section of the second grade reading comprehension! His math sections, however, left me concerned. He has a tendency to reverse the numbers 4, 6, 8, and 0. In Literary Braille these are the letters D, F, H, and J and he confuses them in reading as well. The bonus with reading is that he can use context clues to figure out which letter it really is. I need to find ways to practice these letters/numbers without it being too boring. That will be my challenge for the rest of the school year. I hope to find something he can practice with over the summer that he can self-correct. His parents are not very interested in his school career.

I will be computer shopping over the weekend. My router died and we decided we might as well look at computers while we are shopping for the router. For some reason EVERYONE chimes in with their theory when people look for computers and computer stuff. Feel free to drop some info but don't be alarmed if I go with a completely different idea. I'm not the biggest computer junkie in the world so the basics usually hold me for about five years. Each computer I have had has lasted that long and it works for me! My one goal is to go wireless! I want a laptop and the ability to get online from my kitchen table instead of always being in the office! I would like the office to start being 'homework center' for my two boys as well as a crafting area for us all. Wireless will allow those things to happen.

Cub scouts on Tuesday ended up being nothing like was planned. All dens were told that a guest speaker from the police department would be having a Bullying Discussion with the boys. We have 8 dens and one of the newer den leaders put this presentation together. My friend, Jenny, and I were there about fifteen minutes early to set up for the fundraiser handouts that would be delivered at the end of the meeting. At five 'til seven only half the den leaders were there, the one coordinating was NOT there, and NO police. At seven we gathered the boys into the circle for our promise and some simple information about the fund raiser while I quickly tried to call the important missing den leader. NO ANSWER! At 15 minutes after 7, and Jenny was running out of steam talking I decided to step in and make the most of what was supposed to be one of the meetings I could actually relax at. I had all den leaders join me up front and all boys without leaders were to stand around me. The others were to go to their leaders and stand by them. I discovered that three den leaders were missing. I had all the kids sit on the floor and I talked about bears in the woods and introduced them to "The Other Day I Met A Bear" echo song. I shortened it so I didn't lose them. Then I took them on an imaginary "Bear Hunt" with the Bear Hunt song. I had them all stand up and we tried twice to make a mixed up circle of joined hands and try to untangle without letting go but the boys couldn't handle it (maybe next time there are less boys, I had around 30 or 40). I had them learn how to sit in a circle; this sounds simple but you would not believe how many boys could not firgure out how to move to make the circle a circle. We stood up and all sang "I'm Singing in the Rain" with the addition of silly body movements each time we sang the verse again. My last song was "The Grand Old Duke of York" which I have done about 4 times with these boys. Many of them could help with the words this time which makes it more fun. Believe it or not, that took up all the time until 8pm. Many parents came up to my husband and said that the meeting was wonderful considering the circumstances and "what would we do without Sirena" comments were also heard. I love hearing that but I really do wish the police/den leaders would have had the presentation. It was really disappointing to have tell the boys that the police were not coming.

OK -that's it for today. Have a great night out there ya' all!

Sirena