November 9, 2009

I went to school with Abbey on her birthday when she was in 2nd grade.

On each students birthday they were allowed to sit in special desk.

One of my favorite memories to date is when Ab showed me what she does in "AR". At the end of each school year the kids are tested to measure where they are mentally in terms of education. The whole state of Ohio takes them. Abs school has a few programs provided for kids who score beyond their particular grade level in 1 or more subjects. The student may not be able to skip to the next grade but they are kept challenged.

Abbey was accepted in to 2 extra programs that are offered at the 2nd grade level. The first is called "Accelerated Reading". There were only 2 kids chosen from her class to participate. At her young age she was required to read extra books. She was allowed to leave class with a special pass whenever she had time to go to the library. Alone. She showed me how she did this. I was shocked. I had no idea she wandered around the school alone:) Then, after each book she had to take a test. I was so surprised it was on a library computer. She had a special password and logged in all on her own. (You can't tell but the librarians desk is right there above her- she was very safe!!!) Then she would take a comprehension exam regarding the previous book. According to her scoring she received all kinds of coupons to the smoothie shop and an award each quarter because not only did she meet the required reading level, she went beyond.


I really had no idea what went on at school until I went in and she showed me. I had so much fun! The 2nd program she was accepted into will be included in a separate post of it's own.

The children are required to do a lot of memory work. Here she is copying down a poem. The first draft is their "sloppy copy". Then it is edited and re-written. Finally, it is memorized. (ps. the little girl you see reminds me so much of me. I see her and I feel all the feelings I had as a small girl- so funny huh. She has been in school with Ab since K)

So proud of her!