Leaps and Bounds

Where have I been?  Let's see, I've been fully engaged in the learning challenges of the 2nd grade.  When you look closely at the homework, the in-class assignments, and the curriculum, you have to wonder 'how are these children going to get it all if we don't invest time in them?'.

The Science Fair was the last big 'challenge'.  Working with the school, we discovered that administrators had not thought about how the children receiving SpEd services would be supported.  The first facet of the evaluation process was the 'interview'.  Huh?  Face to face and evaluated on the degree of 'enthusiasm'.  (Based on some conversations I have with my co-workers, I would perhaps get zero for lack of enthusiasm...doesn't mean I don't know what's going on).  That apart, the school, to it's credit, did a STELLAR job of thinking through appropriate support for the SpEd students.  Many did quite well in their attempts at the science fair project.  After surviving the Science Fear (oops, Fair), I discovered more 2nd grade learning was yet to be conquered.

Some of the early childhood concepts - more/less, before/after, more/fewer...continue to show up in mathematics and if the learning approach is not visualized and appropriately paced, we miss that one.  I found however, that intentional, frequent, short review sessions, including the think-aloud aspect have had a significant influence on her progress.  In fact, answering questions in reading comprehension has improved by leaps and bounds.  I think it's because we've been working on the discrete sub-skills bit by bit.

Building comprehension skills is like learning a foreign language - because you know how to say 'hello', 'good morning' and 'see you later' does not mean you can carry an entire conversation.  Likewise, because she can read 5th and 6th grade words and also spell multi-syllable words, it doesn't mean that there is comprehension.  Comprehension is a learned skill - there are things we do with our minds and the material before, during, and after we read. These skills have to be taught.

I've spent my winter and part of my spring working the soil of the mind - focusing on discrete sub skills and how they are applied in different content areas.  I watch with joy and pride now as she completes the 2nd grade reading comprehension assignments.  Some still require talking through the thinking...but we are making progress by leaps and bounds.

Summer promises to be just as exciting...we'll review content, practice more skills and all in the context of a playgroup for friends.  Learning is fun....and Fun is learning.