Monday, September 16, 2013

Kids' Photos

In July we had the kids' pictures taken together at JCPenney. Can you believe how big they are all getting?




Saturday, September 14, 2013

PlayGroup

Parker and I started PlayGroup yesterday! This is a group for 11 kids, all age 2, and an adult and is held at Gantz Park in Grove City. It's actually in the upstairs of Gantz Barn, which is a barn that was renovated to house preschool and recreational classes.

One teacher (Sara) greeted us at the door. Parker was shy and didn't say a word. He soon saw all of the toys and started playing. There is one room set up for "free play" and circle time, and another room with more specific activities. These were the activities for the day:


However, Parker walked into the room with the activities and walked right back out. He played in the "free play" room the entire time! That is just fine, though, because this group is set up to allow the kids to use whatever toys they want to and to not be pressured into following a specific routine or doing each activity. I am hoping, though, that he'll want to get into all of these activities that look like a lot of fun and learning.

Parker mostly enjoyed washing cars in the washing machine, playing with cars on the table, talking on a pretend phone and pouring tea for Mommy.




Parker sorted all the shapes



At the end of class, the kids help clean up everything and have circle time. We sang two songs and waved goodbye.

We stayed at the park there for a bit after class too.

The barn in the background is where the class is held






Thursday, September 12, 2013

Sprinker Time

Perhaps the last sprinkler time of the summer? Seth and Parker ran around in the sprinkler then stopped for a drink!

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Ohio Achievement Test Results

Back in May, Isabelle took the 4th grade Ohio Achievement tests. Her 5th grade teacher handed out the test results. The teachers really stressed how important this test is, and it was taken over 2 days. There is a reading section and a math section. Isabelle was nervous about taking the tests, but she did very well! In both subjects, she scored well above average. For Reading she scored in the "Accelerated" range, and in Math she scored in the "Advanced" range. We're very proud of her!


This is the report we received, showing average district, state and school scores, along with Isabelle's score on the gauge.

Sunday, September 8, 2013

School Work

This week Seth brought home a picture he made with paint. Can you guess what it is?



It's him playing the piano at Grandma Barb's house!

Isabelle also brought home work from art class. The class has been learning to draw. Here is Isabelle's drawings of hands - one hand is painting the nails of the other hand. She has had a lot of fun in art class and practiced drawing many hands. Next they are learning how to draw faces.

Saturday, September 7, 2013

New Blog

We have a new blogger in the Campbell Household! Isabelle started her own blog today - check it out!

http://izzycampbellclanjr.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

School Update - First Week

The first full week of school for Isabelle and Seth was a great and busy week. Seth's class has been reviewing concepts from first grade and the teacher has been doing reading evaluations. He will begin to read at home as part of his homework each day. He will also have math homework. During the first week, Seth had just 2 pages of homework - both pages were telling time on a clock. Seth chose to start eating breakfast at school instead of at home and seems to be excited to get to do that.

Isabelle is really enjoying school and she had a very eventful week. She joined KIA Club. It stands for Kids In Action and the kids in the club will do "good deeds" for the school and for the community. They will meet once a month before school, which means Mom or Dad will have to drive Isabelle to school an hour early on those days. Fortunately, we both have work schedules that will allow us to do that.

Isabelle also was elected to Student Council!. This will be her 3rd year of Student Council (though her first year at Hayes). Each class needed three students to run for student council, so that two would be elected and one would be an alternate. Only one girl originally wanted to run for student council, so Isabelle felt like she had to run or their class wouldn't have enough kids running. So that required her to write a speech! She had a lot of fun writing the speech, and she made it entertaining. Below is a draft of her speech - she ended up taking some lines or words out.

"Izzy Campbell’s Student Council Representative Speech
 
Hello, my name is Isabelle Campbell. I have experienced Student Council in third and fourth grade at JC Sommer Elementary School. I would be a good Student Council Representative for a few reasons.       
1. I have had 2 years of experience
2. It really interests me.   
3. NONE OF YOU PEOPLE VOLUNTEERED BUT AMAZING GINGER!!!!    JUST KIDDING OKAY JEEZ FOR THE LOVE OF STUDENT COUNCIL SPEECHES.        
Wait there's a number 4!!!   
4. I like to help peeps and chill with em’ too!!!   
NOW all I have to say is: Don’t Be Dizzy, Vote For Izzy!!!"
 
Another boy ended up also running for a spot, so the class had to vote. Isabelle and the other girl (Ginger) were both elected, so the boy ended up being the alternate.

Outside of school this week, we went to an ice cream social to join a Girl Scouts troop. This particular troop tries to get out and do things in the community as much as they can. A couple of things they have planned are a visit to the Ronald McDonald House and a visit to the Humane Society animal shelter. I'm hoping all of these experiences are enjoyable and educational for Isabelle.