School Days and Reading Out Loud



Maddy the 4th Grader in her classroom



Happy to report the first week of school went very well -- even though it was very hot and there is no AC at Maddy's school.  Yikes! 

That made for a couple of toasty days!

But just like that -- we're back into the school days groove of pop quizzes, real quizzes, a math test coming up and nightly reading.  Nightly reading is about my favorite time of the day!  Yes, for real, I mean that!  Since Maddy is just a 4th grader, she and I read together . . . out loud.  And truthfully, I hope we're still doing that in 8th grade!  Yes, I am one of those moms who is trying to enjoy my youngest at every single age and school year.  So, anyhoo, back to reading.



Maddy -- Reading in 2008!



     We (Maddy and I) have discovered that we get so much more out of books when we read aloud to each other.  During the summer, we read Shiloh.  It started off slowly, but as we read it  out loud, it came to life. At school now, they are reading A Dog Named Kitty -- another one that started off a bit slowly. Truth be told, at first we both thought it was more of a "boy's" book.  But we are enjoying it too and talking about what we think might happen next, why did the character act that way?  I loved reading when I was young and hope that  by reading aloud she develops that same love for reading and books.  These days (gah -- I sound like an old hag  now, don't I) kids just don't read enough and everything is electronic and fast-paced.  I say, it's time to sit back and take turns reading out loud before lights out!

First Day of 4th Grade!

Today  marked Maddy's first day of 4th Grade! She's been alternating between looking forward to seeing her friends again and worrying a little bit about her classroom.  Even though she has some good friends in her room, her two bff's are both in the other 4th grade classroom and that has really concerned her.  Reassurances that she'll see them at recess have helped a little bit. 

One of her sweet friends yelled her name when she saw her this morning and gave her a great big hug.

I loved watching that and seeing the girls be so sweet!

We kept very busy on the last weekend before school with a trip to the pool, the miniature golf course, the zoo and visiting my Dad. And, of course, we had to shop a little.  The stores called our names, after all.  The bad thing about wearing a uniform is that those most adorable first day of school outfits are unnecessary.  The good thing is that it really cuts down on morning decisions! :)  Hmmmm -- what color polo to wear today . . . navy? white? yellow? green?   Love that about uniforms! :)

Is it just me -- or is there something too cute about that backpack with her name on it!  I love it!  No more backpack mix-ups like happened last year!

Don't worry -- she put that silly Elmo in her backpack for the photos --

 he did not go to school, but waited in the car! 

 Her sweet baby niece, Janie, loves Elmo and since Maddy loves Janie --

 Maddy also loves Elmo all over again!

So Long 3rd Grade!

Hard to wrap my mind around the fact that the school year has ended!! Miss Maddy is finished with 3rd grade! When my son, Philip, started med school, he told Maddy that when she was finished with 3rd grade, he'd finish medical school. At the time, I thought -- whoa -- that's a long ways off, and . . . here it is already!

This has been a big year for Maddy. I've heard that often the odd-numbered school years are tougher and are bigger challenges for students. I believe that! This was really the year that Maddy had to study more for each class and prepare for tests. Once she (and I) figured out the best way for her to study to learn all the nuances of 3rd grade subjects, her positive outlook returned, her grades improved and she didn't worry quite so much about tests. There seemed to be tests galore this year along with book reports and writing projects. Even though she was worried at the beginning of the year, I could see her confidence and abilities grow as the school year went on.

She became more willing to ask her teachers about assignments when she had questions -- which was huge for her. She loves her teachers. We kind of wish they would move to 4th grade with her!



We are so proud of the great year and all her hard work! Way to go Miss M!!