-=> Quoting Zaynab Richmond to Regina Finan <=-
 RF> Well we had our first day of school today. 
 RF> I found out these kids have a
 RF> problem with following directions. even simple ones.  I will have to 
teach
 RF> them to find key words I guess.
 It our comprehension study we are beginning to learn how to follow 
directions.
 I have to stop it at this point and look into some of the problems I found
 on their little test I gave.  So I change my lesson plan almost everyday.
 I need to write it all down, because so far the school has not contacted
 me since I officially pulled them out.  Michigan does have some restrictions
 as to what needs to be taught.  My 11 year old is having a heck of a time
 figuring out how to take notes from a paragraph or story.  We are trying to
 learn outlining.  Jeremy gets bad sometimes, but they have a computer and
 stuff and if he does not cooperate or come to class he cannot play on them.
 Sometimes if it is workbook stuff he takes the workbook and goes to his 
oom.
 I can cope with that.  Its when he decides he just isn't going to do 
something
 I get really frustrated with him.  He is really getting into computers now.
 He had a really old one he was playing with.  My husband is now putting
 finishing touches to their new one, including CD-ROM for their dictionaries
 and encyclopedias.  Thats another thing, they are having a time learning how
 to look for a word in the dictionary.  I want them to know how to do it
 through a book before they are allowed to use the CD one.  We have school
 believe it or not 9-3:15, then 2 1/2 hours on Saturday.  Some days its a
 little less some days alot less, some days we start late.  Oh, well.  Last
 Saturday the kids had a really hard time so we had 1 3/4 hours.  I am taking
 it one day at a time, learning the ins and outs and how the kids operate
 and I am getting really good as how the day is going to be in the first
 15 minutes.  Now that I have settled down and relaxed, they are doing 
etter.
 Its still a fight sometimes though and then as soon as my husband comes home
 (on those really bad days) its pop open a beer sit, relax and do nothing for
 an hour.  I just tell the kids this is my time and they wait.  That is an
 amazing feat in itself.
 ZR> Generally I  think I'm going to just have to figure out ways to adjust
 ZR> our unit studies to  their subject requirements... because if Aaron
 ZR> isn't interested he really  balks at being forced to do anything.  I'd
 Yes, thats the hard part when they say, I don't want to do this.  We are
 beginning to change lessons plans now, but they understand that it will get
 done.  If we don't do it today, then it will still get done in the next few
 days.  Then I get to remind them when they balk again.
 ZR> I really feel for you in having the ADHD child home all day too... 
 ZR> but you guys are probably well adjusted to each other.  Oh, I am just
 Adjustments are a everyday occurance in this household.  We don't always
 know how Jeremy is going to be from one hour to the next.  Oh by the way,
 those days we miss some school hour, the kids can't go outside until school
 is over for the day, so usually they will write stories or something or 
earn
 more about the computer.  It gets counted anyway.  These are all learning
 experiences.
 ZR> having a tough afternoon with her.  I also got a book on handling child
 ZR> behavior problems  from the homestudy office, and it is a very simple
 ZR> method that I'm trying  out... basically it is starting to count to
 ZR> three at any sign of bad behavior  and if the kid persists, then on the
 ZR> count of three you say "take five" and  force the kid into their
 ZR> bedroom for five minutes.  Cimeron has never been  willing to do this
 ZR> and /used/ to break windows if I ever sent her to her room. Today she
 ZR> is testing the new rule very severely and is threatening to break  the
 ZR> window however I don't think she will as she knows the consequences
 ZR> and  has some idea of the costs involved now.  I've put her in there
 ZR> three times  already today and held the doorknob while praying for her
 ZR> for five minutes.   Well, the book didn't recommend praying, but I
 ZR> Enough for now... I've written so much I'll probably not be able to
 ZR> answer the rest of my mail... but it has been fun..
 I am getting through behavioral problems.  I read alot of info, but its
 a trial and error thing.  By the way sometimes the only way to get your
 head back straight is to pray.
 Regina
... ARRRRRGGGHHH!!!! ... Tension breaker, had to be done.
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