Luckily, one of my organizing clients was working on . . . → Read More: Set Up for Summer Fun with Kids]]> As excited as I was for Cavanaugh to get out of school for summer, I was also a little worried that we could spend months inside hiding out from Texas heat and mosquitoes while playing LEGOs and Minecraft. We needed a to do list of fun.

Luckily, one of my organizing clients was working on a summer intentions banner created by fellow Austinites Bernadette Noll and Kathie Sever. I was inspired by the banner, but worried about the execution. Sewing and stamps would have meant we completed ours sometime after school started this fall. 

What I loved was the idea of setting up our summer so we could get the most of the time with each other without gong stir crazy or bickering our days were so unstructured (exactly what we wished for all school year long).

So we set summer intentions and planned great adventures without locking ourselves into a schedule or spending a ton of money. Here’s what we did.

First, we brainstormed lists of people to see. We thought of friends from school and outside of school, plus family members and the characters from Rick Riordan’s The Kane Chronicles series we’re listening to on audiobook.

For places to go and things to do, we added some of our favorites from previous summers, like going to see the symphony in the park and baking, but we were picking from what’s already routine and which would not keep us going through August. So we read through two of my favorite books: 101 Things You Gotta Do Before You’re 12! and 101 Places You Gotta See Before You’re 12!. Cavanaugh put stickers by all the things he was interested in, then we went through the pages together to figure out which of those things we could do during this summer. They included items like seeing a meteor shower and eating a flower.

Then to see if some of the items he’d found were even available in Austin, we went to the Free Fun in Austin website and added to our list with going to a ghost town and a junk cathedral. On Facebook, a friend had posted the 50 Ideas for a Slow Summer list. They helped too! So did the email from Cavanaugh’s school librarian and the one from his kindergarten teacher with summer reading clubs at some local bookstores and the library and with different learning activities and websites.

Once we had all of our lists, we went to Hobby Lobby and used their handy iPhone app to get the ever-present 40% off a full price item coupon to get a copper foam board. Copper is Cavanaugh’s favorite metal right now. It meant no sewing fabric and the foam board will travel well so when we go visit family in New Mexico, we can take our lists with us. We also used Cavanaugh’s favorite font, “Wonton” which I downloaded for free from dafont for his ninja birthday party last year.

We wanted to keep our lists out where Cavanaugh and I could read them when we needed ideas. As we see people, go places, and do things, we are putting checks or dots next to the items on our list. On the calendar, I listed only events that were date specific, like Mr. Popper’s Penguins being shown for $1 at the theater down the street.

We have a Summer Fun Board in our living room and enough ideas on it to have more adventures than we have time for. I’ll end this post with some items from our list.

Things to Do:

• Make a Bast board game: The Path of Bast
• Do experiments in DNA Kit
• Explore backyard habitat #35
• Build Volcano
• Host book club with school friends
• Play marbles
• Build a fairy home in the garden
• Reading Clubs: Book People, B&N, Library
• Replace front doorknob and lock
• Eat a flower #45
• Watch a Meteor Shower #12
• Bake
• Play cards
• Build robots 
• Do puzzles
• Make YouTube videos
• Finish LEGO Ninjago Village
• Play board games
• Reading time in bedroom
• Make up a Spy Name #65
• Practice handwriting
• Do 2^nd grade Word Wall Words
• Go through photos
• Play learning games 

 Places to Go

• High Tea
• Taos
• Splash Pad
• Camping/Sleep Under the Stars #4
• Movies
• Picnic
• A Famous Road #92 Route 66
• Junk Cathedral #44
• An Artist’s Studio #3
• Swimming Hole #16
• Rock Art Site #19
• Radical Rock Formation #69
• A Canyon or Gorge #86
• Ice Cream Factory Tour

What are you up to this summer?

Earlier in my son’s life, checklists that told him to put on pajamas or brush his teeth didn’t feel like they’d be a big help considering I was . . . → Read More: Checklists for Cavanaugh]]> We’re near the end of the school year so it may seem like a weird time to introduce checklists to kids, but this is the perfect time.

Earlier in my son’s life, checklists that told him to put on pajamas or brush his teeth didn’t feel like they’d be a big help considering I was still brushing his teeth and helping him dress him. Even though he’s been able to do those things on his own for a while now, I hadn’t made checklists. What prompted me to make them last month was that Cavanaugh kept saying, “You’ve told me that a million times!” and I kept saying, “I don’t feel like you’re listening to me.” Both things were true. Because he’d heard the steps in his routine over and over, he didn’t want to hear them and I didn’t want to say them. The problem was he was relying on the reminders and if I wasn’t giving them, he’d forget parts. I had to be in the middle of his stuff for it to get done.

Before kindergarten started, we didn’t have that much of a routine. We didn’t have to be out of the house first thing in the morning. Bedtime could happen somewhere in the vicinity of a time rather than needing to be at a specific time. When he brushed teeth or whether he ever needed to wear shoes changed. Checklists weren’t necessary.

Having checklists at the beginning of this school year would have been wonderful but for most of this year, we’ve been adjusting. We were both so sleepy in the mornings that figuring out when to pack lunch, what we’d have time to eat for breakfast, or how to get out of the house took months. By spring break we’d finally managed to figure out routines for homework or snacks or even when bedtime should be. A week of vacation through even that tenuous schedule out of whack.

The transition has been a hard one for both of us. When I was talking about it with a friend recently, she pointed out that one of the great difficulties is that almost all of the time we spend with our kids–at least during the week– is in transition and full of things that must be done:

• Waking up and getting ready for school
• Getting home, having snack, doing homework, play (in between homework and dinner).
• Dinnertime to bedtime

Reminding Cavanaugh of all the steps those transitions require made him feel like I was always telling him what to do (and he was right). So he and I talked about what the steps were for before school, after school, and before bed. I wrote down the steps we agreed on. He tested them for a few days, then we switched the order around and added steps.

Things are so much better! Transitions are happening on time (most of the time) so we’re not rushing out to school or pushing back bedtime. We’re not squabbling. Cavanaugh feels proud of himself. I get to do my part and help when he needs help, but I no longer feel resentful because I can’t get my stuff done because I’m too busy reminding him of what he needs to get done.

I’m so glad we’ve got them in place now because they’re helping with the end of the school year this year but they’re going to be a tremendous help in getting us into a routine when school start back in the fall.

I’m including our checklists here so you can use them, adapt them, or be reminded of something you might not otherwise have thought to put on them.

Morning Checklist

• Wake up
• Eat breakfast
• Put on socks
• Put on shoes
• Brush teeth
• Brush hair
• Put on sweatshirt
• Put on backpack
• Go to school

After School Checklist

• Take lunchbox to kitchen
• Put homework on coffee table
• Hang up backpack
• Hang up sweatshirt
• Put shoes in closet
• Have snack
• Do homework
• Play

Bedtime Checklist

• Leave play downstairs. Come into calm upstairs.
• Put clothes in hamper
• Put on clothes for tomorrow
• Go to the bathroom
• Wash hands
• Brush teeth
• Get into bed
• Gather animals
• Stories
• Songs
• Draw a dream
• Cuddle
• Sleep

Dear Principal _________,

I’m writing because I’ve spoken with (the classroom teacher) and (the school counselor) about the first grade teacher assignment for my son, Cavanaugh _________, next year. They said I . . . → Read More: First Grade Teacher Request Letter]]> I wrote yesterday about why we should write teacher request letters for school. Today, I’ll share my teacher request letter for first grade.

Dear Principal _________,

I’m writing because I’ve spoken with (the classroom teacher) and (the school counselor) about the first grade teacher assignment for my son, Cavanaugh _________, next year. They said I should send you a letter before the end of April giving you some details about (child’s name) that you might consider when assigning teachers.

As a reminder, he started out with Ms. ___________ this year. On the second day of school, he got lost between specials and pick-up so when the class came outside, he wasn’t with Ms. _______. We searched the halls and found him but he was terrified. For the next two weeks, he was very scared and upset and cried every day after specials because he was scared he’d be lost again. Though his dad and I repeatedly tried to communicate with Ms.__________ about what was happening with our son, it was clear that they were just not a good fit for each other. After his dad and I met with Ms. ________(the school counselor) to explore options for helping Cavanaugh, Ms. ________ (the counselor) gave Cavanaugh a tour of the school, which made him feel safe and empowered, and you transferred him to Mrs. ________’s class. We are still so grateful for this.

The difference has been amazing. He loves school and looks forward to going. He has gotten almost all 3’s and 4’s on report cards in academics and behavior, frequently comes home with Super Kid awards, and is absolutely thriving with Mrs. _______.

Cavanaugh’s dad are I are hoping that he can start out with a teacher who is a good fit for him next year so the transition into first grade is an exciting instead of anxiety-provoking one.

Cavanaugh is very bright, focuses for long periods, and cares very much about being well-behaved in class. Because of that, he does not need an authoritarian teacher or a firm-hand. He is sensitive and not always able to speak up for himself, so he needs someone who can emotionally read him, who can connect with him and help him feel safe and seen. He will extend himself outside of his comfort zone, try new things, and thrive if he has a teacher that he trusts cares about him.

Ms. _______ (the counselor) asked if there were any students Cavanaugh should not be placed with. There are not any particular kids. He does come home upset because boys in his class are being silly, trying to spank each other, tickle etc. His dad and I are aware that this is just what most boys do. Cavanaugh just has never been like most boys. Because of this and because his dad and I are divorced, I wonder if Cavanaugh would benefit from having a strong male role model as a teacher. I will leave that to your discretion, but I mention it because it could be a consideration.

Thank you so much for your time. Cavanaugh’s dad and I would be happy to come in to meet with you and discuss placement if that would be helpful, or, if you need any more details, please feel free to call me.

Sincerely,

Sonya _______
My Phone Number

As a parent, you can have a voice in this decision. While most schools won’t honor requests for a specific teacher by name, you still have an opportunity to let the school know about your child . . . → Read More: Write Your Teacher Request Letters Now]]> The end of the school year is near and many schools are already making teacher assignments for next year.

As a parent, you can have a voice in this decision. While most schools won’t honor requests for a specific teacher by name, you still have an opportunity to let the school know about your child and what kind of teacher would be best for him or her. And honestly, asking for a specific teacher won’t always get you what you want anyway. Just because a teacher was good for your neighbor or friend’s child doesn’t mean that teacher would be good for your child. Writing about specific personality traits, skills, or needs allows the school to take what they know about all of the teachers in a grade and match your child up to who can really align with your child.

I wrote last year about sending the school a Getting to Know My Child letter for his kindergarten placement. I just sent the school our letter for first grade. Because we’re staying in the same school, they already know some about him. His teacher has put together a portfolio of his work and recommendations for his first grade teacher assignment. My son, his dad, and I have all ended up loving his teacher and her recommendations are probably just right for our son.

We still chose to write a letter to the principal. Why?

There are things that happen in the classroom, at recess, in the cafeteria, or in special subjects that his classroom teacher may not know about–even though we communicate with her frequently. Besides that, the teacher’s view of our son is just one view. He also had the opportunity to be in a play group with the counselor this year, so she knows him too. I called her last week to get her input about the teacher letter. She directed me to copy her on the email to the principal so that they can talk about our request and the counselor can share her input.

So the teacher knows our son, as does the counselor, and as his parents, his dad and I know him best. The person who doesn’t really know him at all is the principal, and she’s the one who oversees teacher assignments. Giving her as much information as possible when she’s choosing a teacher for our son makes success more likely.

All of that being said, I highly recommend you ask the school (teacher, counselor, principal, front office receptionist) if you can write your own letter or if they have another way of accepting parent input regarding teacher assignments. I included the link to our kindergarten letter above and will include the text for our first grade letter in my next post. Even if the first teacher assignment doesn’t work out, writing a letter gives you more leverage when you go to the school to ask for help. You’ve done everything in your power, which makes the school more likely and able to help you.

We wrote a kindergarten letter, which the principal read when making teacher assignments. Then the school’s enrollment grew and they had to hire an extra kindergarten teacher at the last minute so kids were placed in different classes and the letters were apparently not reread. I totally understand how and why that would happen. But when I went to the school and talked to the counselor and vice principal two weeks into the school year to describe the problems we were having, I could refer back to the letter I’d written. They had it on file. The teacher my son started kindergarten with didn’t match what we’d described at all. They moved him to a class with a teacher who fit all of it. Was it just because of the letter? No. I’m sure it was due to their caring about children, about their appreciation of our approaching them with respect and requests versus demands or threats. But, advocating for kids means doing all that we can so we have as many resources to help them as possible.

Who am I to say so? A teacher, an educational advocate, a learning center director, a director of education, and an Attachment Parenting chapter leader.  Most importantly though, I’m a parent who knows the power of advocating for our children. If we know what we have the right to ask for, our kids are so much more likely to get what they need.