here is what we learned
Questions to Explore
- How are story elements used to create a story?
- Why are story elements important to a story?
Facts and Definitions
- Characters are the people or animals in a story.
- Setting is the time and place of the story.
- Theme is an important message the author is trying to share through the story.
- Plot is what happens in the story and includes problem/conflict, events, and resolution.
Skills
- Make predictions about a text. (LA)
- Recall main ideas, facts, and details from a text. (LA)
- Explain and describe new concepts and information in own words — plot, setting, characters, and theme. (LA)
- Plan and make judgments about what to include in written products. (LA)
- Write structured narratives when given help with organization. (LA
Nathan and genevieve worked on a worksheet about story elements, they had to give examples in complete sentences from their favorite books. Next they were given a list of story elements and they had to pick the elements they would like to use to write a story.
Nathan woke up a little grumpy today, not wanting to do schoolwork. Once he started he was enjoying it. They were able to work independently on their stories, while I went and had a bath and got ready for the day.
Next was an amazing experience! Nathan had his first horse riding lesson. I don't think I can explain how awesome this was for Nathan, I wish I took some pictures! He started off by getting to know his horse, brushing it (fine and gross motor skills being used). He was then shown how to get his horse ready. He had to apply wraps to the horses feet, these are like tensor bandages, this was difficutlt for Nathan to do, but he perservered, his instructor is awesome and let Nathan do it and work thru it, even thought it took a while, Nathan did not feel rushed at all. Nathan has felt rushed for the last 4 years of public school and told he is too slow, he has a really hard time feeling rushed. He had to use his fine motor skills to buckle up buckles, and harness hooks. So he had a workout before he even started on his horse. He then got to ride his horse. He was able to hop on up without a mounting block, he was impressed with himself. His smile as he got on was amazing to see! Nathan is a cautious boy, and even though he was so excited he was a little nervous. Within minutes, he was able to ride the horse wihout looking like a bobble head. Jim (his instructor) was so good with him, right away he made sure Nathan had the right posture and was not hurting himself as he was working. Nathan progressed quite quickly, he was able to ride with his arms out to the side. He looked at jim like he was crazy when he asked him to do this. Jim then said I think you can tell ziggy to go faster. Nathan then said, I think I should know how to stop him before I go faster :) Oh how I love my little sensible and cautious Nathan! Jim laughed pretty hard at that one! Jim was holding and leading the horse at this time, so he had confidence that Nathan was safe :) So Nathan learned how to stop ziggy. He then learned how to trot with him. He practiced and got better at going longer with the trot, and getting ziggy to listen to him. He then was given the steering wheel :) He was able to handle the reins and steer ziggy. Did I mention how many times Nathan said this is awesome!, and his face, wow the excitement on his face. So he got so good at steering, Jim let go of the lead and let Nathan control ziggy around half of the ring! He then went through obstacle courses. He could not believe how quickly his lesson was over. he then went and had to get ziggy ready to be put back in his stall. lots of fine and gross motor skills happening.
I am so happy that Horse therapy is going to work for Nathan, I was worried about his ability to ride the horse, his ability to hold his body upright. He is sore today, I see him flicking his neck around, but I think he will get better at keeping his neck firm but flexible while riding. Also Nathan does not like OT very much, he finds it boring, he does not see that he is getting much out of it. he loves physio, as he feels better, and he can feel the results. Nathan is frustrated with his hands though. I think all the horse therapy will most definitely help with his strength in his hands!
And I cant forget genevieve, Jims youngest sisters who homeschool were there, she was so shy. Eventually I went to go check on her and she was playing with the girls age 10 and 12. I think gigi will enjoy her time at the barns
Here is a video of Nathan practicing piano. He hates practicing , but once he starts and gets better at the song he enjoys it, but it is torture trying to get him to actually sit down at the piano!
Hi Marcy,
ReplyDeleteIt won't take long for Genevieve to enjoy her time with Emily and Esther! They are about as far from shy as you can get ;)
I am hoping that Nathan continues to truly enjoy his experience with riding. The core strength and fine motor hand skills are going to be a challenge, but hopefully he will show some real improvement in these areas, which will help him overall. And there is something nice about a trusted horse being able to safely take you places you can't go on your own. I have another student who far prefers taking a horse on a trail ride to taking his new dirt bike, because if he has a seizure, he can trust the horse.
Rachel