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Thursday, September 20, 2007

My Clever Girl

Last Friday I was able to take Kayla to the book fair at school. When I arrived at her classroom her teacher informed me the speech therapist had just pulled Kayla, and 3 other students, out for small group speech. She said it usually lasts about 20 min so I could either wait, or it was no problem if I took her out to go to the book fair; she could just go with the second group to speech.
I was going to just go get Kayla, but I ended up chatting with her teacher and I'm so glad I had that chance to hear a little about the things Kayla is doing in school. At one point one of the 2 teacher's assistants came out to the hallway for something and then stopped to chat for a minute as well.

She asked Kayla's teacher if she told me what Kayla did earlier that week. Ms J. hadn't told me about it so Kathy did.

Every day the kids hang their backpacks up, obviously corresponding to the giraffe with their name on it. Kayla did this last year, and this year, and knows the routine. They have since moved some of the names around, I think spread them out because there are enough hooks that they don't have to be crowded together. There isn't a name to the right of Kayla's hook anymore.


Anyway, on with the story.

As I said, Kayla knows this routine, she knows where her backpack goes. Last week when Kayla came in she hung her backpack up on the hook next to her name, the one that is empty. Kathy kneeled down and said something to the effect of, "Now Kayla you know you can't hang your backpack there. Your name isn't over there." (This wasn't said in a mean or reproachful way, or anything like that. It was more of a matter-of-fact "Kayla you know where your backpack goes" type of tone.)

Don't you know that Kayla looked at her, looked at her giraffe, then unpeeled the giraffe from it's spot on the wall and stuck it above the hook where she had hung her backpack and went inside the classroom? As if to say, well my name is there now so my backpack can stay!

I don't know why this shocked me that she would think that way, instead of just moving her backpack over to where she knows she's been hanging it all year, as I would have expected her to have done, but it did. I was surprised.

To know that she used problem-solving skills, logical thinking, figured out there was more than one solution, to realize that she realized she could move her name over to that spot instead of just moving her backpack over, just made me so proud of her.

I know I even had tears in my eyes thinking about what she did and I'm not sure why. I know there are many, many things she isn't doing that typical 4 yr olds are doing. I know she has delays and will always have some delays, but sometimes she just does something so unexpected, like a reminder to me not to underestimate her!

I'm glad I was able to be there that day to hear that story, otherwise I might have never known. These are the things I wish they would send notes home about what Kayla is doing, but they don't. All we get is a generic form for the week ahead that says what they are going to be doing -find 3 red items, bring your 3 red items to school today, we're going to large motor group, we're going to the library. None of that is personal though and I wish they would put some personal notes about what she did that day.

I know I can have that written in her IEP - that I want a communication notebook. I did mention it last year at our very first IEP and they said they could do that. At the beginning of the year they would send little things home "Kayla did great in large motor today!" but that eventually stopped and now this is what we get this year. We have parent/teacher conf next week so I can ask again for a communication notebook, or something, so they can share these stories with me.

I don't want to miss out on hearing these clever things she is doing!

Oh yeah, I finally figured out how to attach the little widget on my left side bar to link to our Buddy Walk fundraiser site!


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43 comments:

Kim Davis said...

What a smart girl she is - I just LOVE that logical type thinking. Good for her!

Unknown said...

I love that story..Too precious!



Another contest starting tomorrow at Random thought, lasting 7 days..its pretty easy and I have some great prizes!!!

Beck said...

That's great! The Boy's teacher pulled me aside the other day to tell me a classroom story and I was so glad for the glimpse into his day, so I know exactly what you're talking about.

Melissa @ Banana Migraine said...

Oh she is a smarty!!! What a wonderful story!

ChupieandJ'smama (Janeen) said...

She showed them, didn't she? What a cutie!!

Tara said...

This story gave me goosebumps! How smart!!! Thanks for sharing :) (By the way, I requested a notebook for Payton as well so I knew what she was going in therapies so I could work with her at home - and like you said, to hear about the things she is doing and somehow that's been overlooked with us too). I feel like I'm missing out by not being there. Anyways, thanks again for sharing this story. It definitely brought a smile to my face.

Jen said...

She showed them who was boss.....she is such a great gal.

Dena said...

So smart - and maybe a little sassy! That's the best! Don't you wish we could video tape their days so we could see all the funny things we missed! Annie is always doing stuff I just don't know where it came from!

Andrea@Sgt and Mrs Hub said...

I was thinking the same thing as Dena - she's got a little sass to her! I hope you are able to get the communication that you want from the teachers. I think that it is vital to know what our children are doing in school - It's such a huge part of their lives and we shouldn't be on the outside.

-Andrea

Corey~living and loving said...

awwwwwwwwwww I love stories like that and "feeling" the emotions of a very proud mama. :) thank you for sharing it.

I believe in the importance of communication. I do not like the idea that the only time many parents hear from the teacher is when things are NOT going well. I beleive that most parents want to hear the good things. Most parents want to feel connected to their child's daily life at school.

I hope that you get to start your communication notebook. That sounds lovely.

K.T. is Mommatude said...

Too cute!She is so smart!!And cute to boot!

Carole Burant said...

Awww I even had tears welling up in my eyes reading about what she did! Then I couldn't resist a giggle because I can just imagine the look on the teacher's face when she so matter of factly moved the giraffe picture with her name above her backpack! lol Never underestimate kids, that's for sure:-) xox

Annie said...

That is so cool Michelle!

Anonymous said...

im proud of her. shes a smart girl!

Eden said...

Kayla is a very clever girl, there is no doubt about it!

Anonymous said...

I've been lurking for a while, but I thought I'd let you know that the school I work at we have home-school communication books for all the children with extra help. The page has little pictures of all the things they may have done during the day and then we check off what they actually did that day. There is also room at the bottom to write notes back and forth. It takes less than 5 minutes to fill it out and then it helps the parents know what is going on.
Stacy

A Captured Reflection said...

That is so great and just what my Miss 4 would do as well - I can just picture that, and it's awesome!!!!

Me said...

What a smart cookie!!

Kaia goes to a co-op nursery school right now so I get to spend about 1 or 2 classes a month there as a teacher helper. I love it because I can see what she does on a daily basis since she can't yet really tell me. I'm dreading her starting real school next year where I won't be able to be so in on the school action!

Anonymous said...

Oh that's so awesome! You go sassy smart girl!!

AZ Chapman said...

love that story

Unknown said...

That's fabulous, Michelle! It really made me smile!

I, too, don't like not knowing how Lauren is doing in school. It is especially hard as I am not driving her. We get the sheet that says what they are doing for the week but that is it for us too.

Tammy said...

My Mom is a teachers assistant to an autistic girl. She works with her more than the teacher does though. Many times I guess the teachers just get too busy and overworked.

I'm proud of Kayla too!
:)

Anonymous said...

That is awesome! I had a great big smile on my face when I read this! You are so cool, Kayla!
love, Nisa

Anonymous said...

P.S. Nate does have a notebook from the teacher to send home things he does thru- out the day, but she only uses it for the "bad" stuff!Things like: he was playing in the restroom instead of "going" or he didn't stay focused during math etc. But on Wednesday his teacher stopped me in the hall after school to tell me that Nate did awesome on his practice 3rd grade state test, and was even finished first which is a really big deal for him. I love hearing the little things like that, so I know what you mean.

Anonymous said...

You little girl is very clever indeed. I am so glad you had the opportunity to hear about such a special moment.

Jodie said...

I love it! What a smart girl she is. Just when I think that Tyler is not doing anything new, he will surprise me with something like that.

Tyler has a communication notebook and I treasure it! I love reading each day's note. I agree that you need to ask for one. It is very, very important!

Nancy said...

I tend to underestimate my son, too. I hate the fact I do that sometimes, but he really surprises me, and the moment is that much sweeter. A sweet reminder he is in there and he is watching and learning.

Thanks for sharing that story...

Robin said...

Way to go Kayla! Yes, always remember never to underestimate these glorious angels. Great story. Thanks for sharing.

Katie said...

Thats really clever!!
Cheeky little miss, she knows what she wants!
Its hard when you dont really know what they do all day, its important - you need to know what to do with them at home. I will be sure to add 'communication notebook' into Jai's IEP for next year as he is starting a new school.

Christina M said...

Haha, she is so cool!
Joe will be so proud hearing that!

Laura said...

I love that story. I find I am so proud of my daughter when she figures things like that out--appreciating the little milestones!

We have had a communication book since she started school at age 3, she 8 now and in 3rd grade this year. It's been a great tool for us, there is even a sheet for all the therapists to fill in after each session--I never knew what they did in ST, PT & OT, so it was hard to follow through at home.
Anyway, thanks for sharing that story, it put a smile on my face this morning!

smilnsigh said...

Sandra just posted an Award to you, and others, including me. She also said that your hubby is presently deployed. Soooo, how could I not come over and say Hi? :-)

And yes, that was a lovely story you told, of Kayla's cleverness. A beacon of light.

Many hugs to you. And to yours. And thanks for all which you all are doing, for the service of our country. The Warriors themselves, are not the only ones who serve. Their families and loved ones do also. And we need to remember this, and say frequent thank you's.

Mari-Nanci

Dori (Aviva's mommy) said...

What a smarty pants you have there...another good way as a soon to be teacher is email if they answer it..if not the notebook is good.

Will be donating to the budddy walk next week.

FBF Rothkopf said...

Woo-hoo! How empowering that must have felt for her. "Because I said so" indeed!

Francine

Courtney said...

I would have never thought of that ! LOL!
She's such a precious little girl!

Trace said...

I loved that story.. haha. Go Kayla!! :)

Trace

Ms. Kathleen said...

Awesome. I just got tears reading this. She is such a smart little gal...Just in a different way than some. I know my Tara who has LD's just looked at things different and marched to the beat of her own drum. Fabulous! I am sure you'll discover so many other wonderful things and I so agree, I wish the teachers would share more. I would become so frustrated at Tara's IEP meetings, etc

Linda said...

I'm so glad you got to hear that little story Michelle. How sweet and encouraging. She really is a very clever little girl.

Marcia Francois said...

She is such a clever girl. Michelle, this made my eyes well up with tears. How precious :)

Organising Queen,
Clutter Control Freak and
Marcia's take charge blog

Dana a/k/a Sunshine said...

That WAS very smart of her!!! And ya know, I don't think it is unreasonable at all for you to expect the teachers to write down some stuff for you as to what she is doing, etc. I would talk to them about that....

You have every right to be a proud mama!!!

Anonymous said...

wow! what a smart little girl. That is such a cute story!I had a smile on my face reading it and i also laughed. that was just so cute that she did that. I don't blame you for wanting to hear about things she does that cute through the day. we miss out on them when they go to school. the only time you hear things is when you have a conference. Tiffany's teacher this year is writing little personal notes about her. i do like it.
love,
mimi

Sara said...

Way to go Kayla! I love going to Nathaniel's school too cuz we hear things he is doing and we had no idea. It is nice to hear how smart he is ( even tho we already know ;) )

Sue said...

Oh how cute. What a smarty pants she is. And she probably just thought it was no big deal, like - there you go. And on with her day she went. You're right, they do so many things at school. It's so wierd to know that Kayla now has a whole little world away from me. Getting info from them is not the easiest. :)