Adding a challenge to summer reading

Well, it's that time of year again: summer!  Lazy days hanging out with friends, time at the pool, visiting family,  attending camps, reading and writing.  Wait.  What?  Yep, reading AND writing.  As you may recall, if you were a reader last summer, we created our own summer reading program for our 6 year-old son (http://citygirlinsmalltownamerica.blogspot.com/2012/06/summer-fun-and-reading.html).  His goal last year: to read 10 Magic Tree House, or other similar chapter books, to earn a trip to The Little League World Series and a t-shirt from the games.  It was such a success, that this summer, it's the same reward, but he has to read five, more difficult chapter books (he's moved up five reading levels since last summer, so we're expecting more challenging books, which may take him longer).  He's chosen a few of the Matt Christopher baseball books to start out with.  Any books he reads over the designated amount earns him a dollar per book to spend how he wishes at the game.

He's also going to write this summer!  His teacher sent a notebook home with every student encouraging and challenging them to write in the notebook 4 days a week during the summer.  If this is completed and returned to her at the beginning of the school year, they would get a special "mystery gift" from her.  Challenge accepted!  As our son is a very visual learner, we've created our charts again so he can track his progress for both his reading and writing.







There you have it!  A summer full of fun, sun, water, books and writing!  Stay safe out there!

To My Little Miss: Like Tinkerbell

To My Little Miss:

Like Tinkerbell.  Please.  If you choose to really like any mainstream female character, like Tinkerbell.  Here's why:

1) She's independent, but knows when and how to ask for help.

2) When she makes a mistake, and she makes quite a few, she tries to correct it and learn from it.

3) She's creative and uses her imagination to create new things out of "found things".

4)  She's persistent.

5) She's loving and caring to her friends and living things.

6) She's a problem solver and challenge accepter.

7) She takes chances and tries new things.

8) She likes adventures.

9)  She is strong of body and character.

My Love, you are incredible.  Already you take risks (sometimes giving your mother heart attacks and yourself bruises, but they heal).  You are persistent (and stubborn, which can be a lethal combination, but will serve you well, once you learn to use those skills properly).  You try again (that's why you're in a toddler bed already).  You are physically strong and have great balance.  You are loving and caring (I've seen you pat your brother's back when he's upset and you are very gentle with animals).  You're a problem solver (if you can't reach your fruit snacks, by golly you know how to get to your brother's!  I should probably move those again.). And challenge accepter (you'll probably figure out how to get to yours and your brother's fruit snack after I move them).  You are independent and you will try new things, but will ask for help, when you need it.

So, my loving, strong, independent, persistent, problem solving, risk taking little wonder: if you choose to like a female character, please choose a strong one.  Choose Tinkerbell.  I'll try to restrain myself from influencing your decision too much.

I love you!
Mommy

To My Kiddo...

Dear Kiddo:

I love you.  You amaze me every day.  You are funny, outgoing, a great friend and an active 7 year-old.  You have a wonderful imagination that is apparent in your writing from school, your art project choices, and your dreams.  You use your brain to figure out math problems much faster than I ever did when I was your age, and you enjoy the challenge of a new type of math problem or difficult word.  You enjoy reading and you're good at it.  You love school.

You're having some issues with some of the other boys at school.  I'm so sorry.  I know what that's like.  It's frustrating and confusing.  Yet, even when you've had a day with rough patches, you come home with a smile on your face.  I like your attitude!  When I hear about those rough patches and hear the hurt in your voice, my heart breaks.  I can't be there to protect you from all of this, and I shouldn't be.  It is my job as a parent to guide you so you know how to navigate these waters on your own.  So, here's my advice:

- Be of strong character and stand up for yourself and others who are in similar situations, but don't be obnoxious about it.  Look at the whole situation, say/do what needs to be said or done and move on.  Easier said than done, I know, but the other kids are trying to figure out this whole socially acceptable thing too.  Some have a harder time of it than others.
- Know when to walk away: if someone is just being mean, walk away and find a friend.
- Know when to tell an adult: if you, or someone else is being hurt, tell a teacher.
- Make other friends:  find some kids who like the same things you do and like you for who you are.  You have better things to do with your time than trying to be friends with someone who is not ready, or willing, to be a friend.
- Take pride in your accomplishments, but also take them in stride and encourage others who are doing well or struggling: in other words, "Be a good winner".
- Be a leader:  leading is about give and take, not about bossing others around.  A good leader listens to their friends and knows when to let others take a turn at leading.  That means not taking over or interrupting a conversation, my little chatterbox.

Lastly: don't ever change who you are to fit what someone else thinks you should be.  Your outgoing, active, imaginative and friendly personality will serve you well throughout life.  Right now, it's elementary school and the world is a very big place.  1st grade is almost over and 2nd grade is a new year.  A lot of growing and maturing can happen over a summer.  It's time to enjoy some well deserved time off.

I love you Kiddo!

Mommy