School is almost out...

On last post you saw I was not so happy with Vern. I have not posted much as we have been working hard to get through another book and working on his priorities.

I am happy to report that we just finished a book last night. Now he has to get the report written, turned in and approved in order for it to count toward his final grade.

Vern has a big summer planned with camps, vacations, and volunteer work. I will have a lot to write about as we ramp up to summer. Now if only the weather would warm up!


I thought I would include some recent photos.

Here is Vern doing one of his favorite things. Lounging in the lazyBOY with his remote. We have this priority to work on...

Here he is at his spring concert from school. He is standing beside his best friend. We asked him if he got in trouble a lot in music if he sat that close to his friend. He averted his eyes and said "Sometimes".  At least he is honest!

Hunger Games Mania!

Our house has been hit with Hunger Games Mania.

Last year the older two kids zoomed through all three books. They loved them and had to have the hard-bound copies.

This year Vern decided I should read the first book aloud to him for many reasons.

1.  He gets credit for reading it as long as he is listening and does well on the test. (He got a 100%)
2.  It is quality time with mom.
3.  I get to say all those "hard" words not him!
4. The older two kids said there was a movie coming out and we better have it done before March 23!

There is something about reading a book out loud that changes how you view the book. I can't quite figure out what it is exactly. Maybe it is because I am reading it slower and my brain has more time to digest what is being said? Maybe the inflections or in my case crackles of my voice and accompanying tears at the sad sad parts?  Maybe it was how I pulled my husband into listening as I read to Vern? I don't know but I can say I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book out loud.  Vern actually held us back on reading. Sometimes he would only let me read one chapter. Do you know how hard that is to stop when it is one of those keep you on the edge of your seat kind of books?  Some nights he did let me keep going (after cajoling) to read more.  The adults in the house are hooked as well as the kids now.

We finished the book a couple weeks ago and just started book 2 - Catching Fire.  I also pre-purchased tickets for opening night of the movie. Now just to get everyone rounded up and to the movie theater on time. That will be a chore on a Friday night.  I have seen the characters and they were well chosen to look like what I had pictured in the book. I am sure this will be one of the hit movies of this year if the storyline follows the book.

Don't let the idea that it is a "teen" book stop you from reading it. It is very well written and I don't say that about many books.  

Weekend read-fest

As I wrote earlier, Vern is down to the wire on getting his reading complete for the quarter. He found a book to read that he needed to get finished over the weekend so he could take the test on Monday.

We talked about this on Friday before school. "Read hard this weekend."
 "I will mom."

So Sunday night I decide to call him and see how the reading is going.

"Hi Honey, what are you doing?"

"Not much mom."

"Get a lot of reading done like we talked about?"

Silence.... followed by "Yes, I guess."

"Well that is good. Get the book finished and take that test tomorrow."

"Ok, bye mom."

Fast forward to Monday after school.  I call home to check on them.

"Hello."

"Hi Vern, how is it going?"

"Good."

"Are you getting your homework all done?"

"Yes."

"That is great."

"Mom" (said in a sad - pathetic - quiet sort of voice)

"Yes honey?"

"I kind of lied to you."

"About what?"
"Reading,  (pause)  I didn't read all weekend at dad's."

"How come???? I mean I called you last night to see how it was going."

"Well there was a movie on - Rudy, and dad said it was good and so I wanted to watch it."

"I'm disappointed at your poor choice."

"I'm really sorry mom, I will read 80 minutes tonight."

"Ok, I will see you soon."

Instead of being discouraged at his lack of reading (that is typical behavior there) I am taking away 2 positives from this:  1. He did fess up to his lie. (which before he never would do even though he would get caught anyway)  2. He apologized and followed through with reading the entire 80 minutes last night.

Progress.

Another episode of "frustration"

Vern is required to read so many books at a certain level each quarter at school. This varies per child and their ability.

1st semester he achieved his goals abiet barely.

This quarter not so much. He is suppose to get a total of 20 points this quarter.  Depending on the book, each one can be from 3-10 points.  There is less than a month left in the quarter and Vern has 2 points... A MEASLY 2 points.

I nag.

I lecture.

I beg.

I nag some more.

Vern ..................................................tuned out.........................................................

It is not like he doesn't read. He has started around 5 books this quarter. One book he even completed but the problem was his teacher was also reading it to them during school so she wouldn't count it as a book he could test on.  FRUSTRATION. I asked Vern before he even started that book if the teacher said it would be ok. He assured me with his innocent sweet face that she said yes.  At conferences I find out differently. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR  On the other 4 books Vern gets about 50 pages or so into it and decides he just can't finish it.   He has many reasons that are valid to a 10 year old.

It is to hard to understand.

It is borrrrrrring. 

I don't like it.

DA Mom...............................................tuned out...........................................................................

I refuse to accept these excuses.  So we are at a stand off.  HOW on earth do I get this kid over the reading bump?  I need to figure out some trick to making him a life long reader. I know these things don't just happen. It isn't like he is in a void where no one in the family reads. John and Ann are good readers. I absolutely LOVE to read.  The kids all know I will buy them books IF they will read them.  We have checked bookstores for football books. Those are slim pickins I might add. Maybe 1 book if we are lucky.

Ideas?

Reading wrenches

So Vern goes marching into his reading party last Friday sits down and starts to watch his movie only to be yanked out by the substitution teacher!

Seems there was a misunderstanding among everyone involved.

The sub was caught in the middle not knowing the full story.
The principal was out of the office and just forwarded the email.
Vern's regular teacher was out of town and unable to deal with the situation.
I was only hearing Vern's side of the story.

Luckily after a few phone calls things are staightened out now.
Vern is aware he must read 60 minutes each week.
Teachers are aware I would like to be informed.
The sub is thankful to be done with Vern. :-)

Plus Vern is still excited about reading and has been asking me to read. (whew from the mom)

Life is tough

Vern had a bad day today.  When John called to say they were home from school. Vern was having a complete meltdown. No one knew what was going on.

When I got home he wouldn't talk nor do his jobs. Instead of saying do your jobs 25 times I implemented a new tactic. I said no dinner until 1/2 your jobs are done. OOOOHHHHH WEEEE did THAT hurt. Hit him where it counts - the dinner plate.  He threw a minor fit but it worked and he ended up doing his jobs.  When I decided he had done enough jobs to have dinner the other kids had all ready eaten. Vern started to throw another fit that the spaghetti noodles were gone. I just told him if his jobs had been done he would have been first for dinner and had noodles.  More tears...

Finally as he was sitting at the table looking at his food and pouting I got out of him what was REALLY going on. Seems that a substitute teacher at school told him he couldn't go to the reading party tomorrow as he hadn't read enough.  It devistated him. I mean Vern had taken initiative to read this week just because of that party and to be told he couldn't go really hurt him.  I got him calmed down and told him I would write an email and see what the problem was with him attending the reading party. I'll let you know the results when I find out how it went.

That seemed to calm him down after I told him I would write the email. I stressed that he had to tell me when something like this is bothering him so he doesn't get in trouble for acting out. Even though its hard to talk about things it is better than getting punishments for being naughty.  I hope he learned somewhat of a lesson.

My eyes are safe

So the other night it was reading time. We had dinner on the deck and after I said "Vern run get a book to read."  He comes back out, sits down beside me and opens the book. He reads one page (containing maybe 2 sentances) and begins his figiting routine. I say "Please buckle down and read." He puts on his beautiful green goggles and begins to read again. After another page he stops reading, looks at me and says, "You know mom if there is a fire out here it won't get into my eyes with these on!" 2 seconds -20 minutes - or is that 200 hours later the book is finally finished. Off he runs with his science glasses smiling all the way and I'm sure he is glad THAT experiment was done.