Daddy, Papa and Me

If you have been reading this blog for a while you might remember that since Emma was 18 months we've been a bit concerned about her verbal skills. She still as yet does not say two words together for the most part (though she did recently start saying things like "Emmas book" or "Papas milk"). So, a few weeks ago we took her in for general development testing (therapy before 3 is subsidized.. after three is difficult.. so we thought we do it NOW) and they recommended more specific language testing.

Well... getting one shouldn't any way.

I haven't written much about Emma's preschool stuff. She got accepted at one of the two private schools we applied to, put on a waitlist for the other.

We read before bed every night

We started by reading picture books...

Then graduated to simple sentence books...

Then went on to books with full stories (and pictures on every page) that could be read at a 20 minute sitting at most

Last week, we started our first 'chapter' book (with few pictures)...

We are still in the midst of our school tours. I've been formulating a lot of thoughts about the SF school system based on tours and research.. like.. "Public schools as a whole are better than I expected" and "They'll never match the private schools... 7k per student vs. 16k? No match"...

Anyway, one of the questions we've asked of all the school directors or teachers who are giving the tours is something along the lines of "what does your school do to foster respect for different families, races, etc."

Ours is in about an hour. Last year's was overall pretty good (of course.. it's Emma (minus that little bit about 'exclusion'). Interestingly, one teacher (there are 4 or so for the class of 36) is insisting she be there. We are assuming it's because she wants to say how amazing and delightful Emma is :D. Reports later.

Social Development: Check. Some things they said: Emma is a _very_ social child. Outgoing, friendly, everyone likes her, Empathetic. Likes to "mother", direct (especially a few kids :). As one teacher put it:

She positively "sparkles."

:D

Intellectual Development:

I've talked a little about the public school system and choosing schools here in San Francisco. Well, we got our assignment: McKinley Elementary.

Kindergarden started this morning! Both of us dropped her off, She was very very happy to see all her friends and her teachers (it's a Montessori school, 3 and 4 year old preschoolers are in the same class as kindergardners, same teachers as last year). Wow, next year is first grade and.. homework!!

This weekend was all work in the day. I decluttered and scrubbed the kitchen, the deck and back courtyard and Emma's room. Bags and boxes of stuff when out to the trash or for giveaway. You should see the kitchen, it looks pristine (lets see how long). Emma's room too, and the deck almost looks like an outside living room :).

A good start for the school year :).

A couple weeks ago Emma got a letter from the Hogwart's school of Witchcraft and Wizardry. We didn't hear an owl, but Emma was sure she hear some wing fluttering. The letter was not stamped, but it was addressed to Emma in the brightly painted room off the kitchen in San Francisco. It had an official Hogwarts wax seal and stamp, written on parchment and was signed by Minerva McGonagall.

The contents of the letter said that they had heard that Emma will be doing extensive travels this summer including such exotic locales as Mexico, Utah, Massachusetts, Germany and ending up in London England. The letter goes on to say that this is a fortuitous coincidence because it just so happens that Hogwarts needs to create a potion to ward off the some dark wizards and the things it needs can be found in these exact locations. They wanted to know if Emma was willing to gather these items and take Hogwart's summer school lessons to make sure she knew what she was doing. These lessons would be in Muggle Studies, Spells (language), and the Care of Magical Creatures. They wanted her to keep a journal of her observations and activities. At the end of her trip a wizard or witch would meet her at King's Cross Station in London to obtain the items and see how her lessons went.

Emma had just finished the second book of the recounting of Harry Potter's adventures and decided she was more than willing, excited even, to take the lessons and obtain these items for Hogwarts, though she was a bit concerned that Voldemort might find out she is doing this. As she brought the letter into me she remarked "Hmm, Hogwarts must be real then."

So, we awaited the next letter...

So, after a very fruitful, educational and relaxing trip to Puerto Vallarta, we came home to San Francisco. Sitting in the kitchen were rewards for Emma's Hogwart's summer school activities including a model of a Golden Snitch and some stickers of the different House crests. Emma was pleased.

It wasn't long after this that the third letter arrived. Emma was reluctant to open it. You see, she hadn't yet written down the information about the shells yet because she is reluctant to part with them. She was afraid that this letter might be a Howler. We opened the letter very very slowly (though I did give her a slight fright when I jumped), it was not a howler... phew.

This letter had one lesson with three parts on Muggle Studies.

On Wednesday Emma had a choice to do her homeshool (story about that later) or finish up her Hogwarts journal. I was sure she'd choose the journal, but no, she said she wanted to do homeschool. I was surprised. When asked why she wanted to, her answer was she was kind of hoping she'd get a "Howler." Now Ron was mortified when he got his, but I guess Emma isn't as easily mortified.

Well, she got her wish. Hogwarts sent her not one, but two, Howlers by muggle email. Well, she got right to her journal and completed it :D.

Emma got here sixth letter from Hogwarts on Friday. Well, she actually didn't get a physical letter.

I haven't written about this up till now because it's taken awhile for us to wrap our heads around, make decisions and well.. we've been busy, but here it is. I'm sure there will be more momentous parenting decisions in our life and there surely has been more momentous parenting decisions in our past (like, becoming parents). This decision is though, momentous.

Let me give you the background information.

Part 1 is here. Well, before and after the meeting we've done a lot of thinking and talking.

The school said the decision was 100% ours whether to send Emma forward to first grade or hold her back for another year of kindergarden. So, we've done an enormous amount of thinking, discussing, researching and talking to others. Here are some of the points that have informed our decision.

Just some photos to go along with Emma's third Hogwart's school lessons.

Well, part II is here. I have a feeling there is going to be several more parts, it's been on my mind a lot lately.

So, what are we doing about it?

Of course, earlier we started the Hogwart's Summer School of Witchcraft and Wizardy which Emma and we are having a blast at (next assignment comes up next week), but we realized we needed to do something a bit more.

So, we've instituted "homeschool," it's what we call it. I sit down with Emma every weekday for 20-30 minutes and we learn to read. I've been using Reading Reflex:

Last week I told you some of the things we are doing to help Emma catch up to her peers and be ready for first grade (after it was suggested to us that we hold Emma back a year).

Thought I'd give a quick update.

We are on the second section of the book we are using: Reading Reflex. I do like it, it make it clear and straightforward to follow. I have my quibbles, but I'll leave that for a review I plan to post on Amazon. The second section is on double consonants such as in words like 'ask, and, elm, end, task, plant etc'. (the first section is on simple sound combos like sat, hat, cat, pig, dig, fig, wig, ben, bet, etc). We are just entering 4 (sometimes 5) letter words with double consonant combinations. She's doing pretty well. There isn't a word she is confronted with at this level that she can't read.

Well, it seems to have gone pretty well.

We got an email from two teachers from the class (there is one head teacher, an assistant and a learning specialist for the 25 students). They both said Emma is a delight, happy and adjusting well. She's in her element. Academically she is 'holding her own.'

Of course Emma told us the first day was a lot of fun but the teacher has been strict since then. We explained to her that this wasn't preschool/kindergarten any more... they are there to learn (and there are 25 of them).. but I suspect "strict" to Emma is actually pretty lenient in reality.

This all has a heightened importance because of our experience and decision made earlier this summer.

Well, I have soooo much to post, a million photos, several Hogwarts posts, etc. They WILL be done!!

Emma had her first violin lesson today. The school offers it after classes, so we signed up.

She has been asking to play the violin now for two years. I think that I played in my youth might have been one factor for her early interest, but she's never seen me actually play. It could also be that several of her friends from upper grades play, or well.. whatever it is, she has wanted to for 1/3rd of her life. In fact, at the Shakespeare festival we went to in Utah early this summer she saw a pink violin for sale and REALLY wanted it, as in, she still won't let us forget the fact that she wanted it and we didn't get it or lend her allowance to do so.

The school lessons are on Mondays, so sadly we had to cancel her Monday chorus class with her two friends. She didn't want to, but she wanted lessons more. Hmm, one indication she really wants to!

We really want to make sure she sticks with it before we invest in an instrument! So today was her first day. She really enjoyed it. Of course, one day of lessons doesn't indicate she'll stick with it, but it's a start. Now we'll have to see how long she'll stick with it when she realizes she has to practice every day (well, 3-4 times a week I think suffices :).

Could be fun.

Just might have to wear ear plugs the first year or two :D

On the last day of school last year, Emma brought home a bag of a bunch of stuff from her cubby. We were rushing off to our travels soon after and we thought the bag contained just old papers etc, so we put it aside.

Then today, cleaning and reorganizing, Guy found a note in the bag written by the teachers about Emma. The note was in a bag with a stone that had an engraving of a deer. Apparently, and we didn't know this, they did it for all the kindergartners who were leaving to 1st grade.

It said:

Very social, very aware of "fairness." Loves imaginary play, being with friends, music and singing, has worked VERY hard on speech and been VERY successful. Great artist and designer, especially work with colors. Beginning to find your way with our clas work and finding success with reading and number work. VERY kind, helpful, considerate to EVERYONE in the lass. Wonderful with the younger children.
Deer: love, gentleness and kindness.

It was nice to read it on such a day that was so perfect in so many ways (I was productive, Guy was productive, Emma was in a great mood.. as were we, etc, etc).