An A "Typical" Day...

We are officially past the first quarter of fifth grade and let me tell you it has flown by! As we anxiously await the first report from the head honchos at school I am happy to declare... 

Our morning routine is pretty much down to a science--with minimal reminders:

• Wakes to alarm
• Makes bed
• Stretches & exercises
• Bathroom
• Gets self ready
• Watches a little news
• Eats a healthy breakfast
• Bathroom
• Bus
• Coffee break-(mom)

Like clockwork! 

Yes, lots of independent behavior being demonstrated at our house.  It is making life easier for all of us. The really good news is we haven’t missed the bus yet! 

Homework is proving to be the biggest challenge:

A News Flash!!!

Listen up kids! Are you bringing all your homework home?  Study Guides are homework! Make sure those come home too!!!


Tips for making the most of homework time...

• Keep a neat and tidy workspace. Nothing else in your way to distract!
• Two SHARPENED pencils on the table, a good eraser and lots of scratch paper!
• Don’t just fill in the blanks!!! Read the problem, equation or question and re-read it until you have grasped how to do it.
• Work the problem on scratch paper until you have your absolute best guess at the correct answer.
• Transfer your best guess answer with a clean copy of your work to the homework sheet.
• If you need help ask for it from someone who is going to be able to help you!
• Don't let homework time drag on for eternity!  Complete your work in a reasonable amount of time so you can do something fun afterwards. 

The key to a successful homework team is making sure the person DOING the homework is actually the same person sitting in the classroom during the day, aka "The Student".

The other half of the team, commonly referred to as "The Helper",  should sit down with the scholar, read through with them what they are supposed to do,  and help them with the FIRST problem, if they need it that is!  Show them how to do it by helping them figure it out.  If they don't need help, follow up with them when they are finished to make sure it is all complete.

We all know it is impossible to comprehend what to do, especially if you have no idea where to start in the first place.  That being said...

A Note to Helper:  

If YOU need help do not be afraid to ask either!  You will be setting a good example!  Search for examples online, use the resources provided by school or ask the teacher.

Yes, school work definitely takes priority but extracurricular projects and events are held in high regard as valuable experiences for development in our household.  Social development!

Opportunities for peer connections beyond the classroom or daily schedule are vital to developing fluent social skills.  Making friends with people outside of the routine creates a camaraderie that extends beyond the school age years and aids in building confidence, independence and self esteem.   It also provides a route around cliquey behavior patterns because there is always an assortment of individuals from a mix of cultures to keep things interesting.    If you never take the time to get to know people beyond your usual group of friends, you risk suffering the ails of culture shock when you get in unfamiliar situations.

Culture could be referred to as the study of how families and groups of people operate. It's reflected in religion, language, art and how people treat each other every day just to name a few.  Their typical ways of doing things, how they live among themselves.

Culture Shock  occurs when people from different groups interact and collide because of lack of interaction or knowlege about the other. This can lead to scenes both embarrasing and disastrous!  Others appearances, ways of doing things or communication may seem atypical or even plain weird to some people!  Not so!  Just different!  And there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with that!  Who wants to be just like everybody else anyway!

Careful observation--but not staring, pointing or whispering-- and an open mind are must haves when navigating new experiences.  As unique individuals we are all atypical, or different, in our own way.  Sometimes our differences are obvious and sometimes not.   When going into a new situation, it is extremely important to assess and not assume.  Otherwise you risk saying or doing something that is going to make you look really stupid and the people around you feel very uncomfortable.   

My dear friend Tom showed me an equation one time and it has saved my bee-hind many times:

He said to me..."when you assume, you make an ass out of you and me".  You know what?  He is right! 

Exhibit A:

ass = u + me

Don't let this happen to you!  When in doubt follow the lead of someone you admire.   (Thanks Tom!)

If you are just hanging around the same people every day, imitating a single, exclusive behavior and shunning others because you don’t think they are cool enough to be seen with, you are stunting your artistic growth by limiting yourself as an individual. 

It’s okay to admire something about another person and like the same sorts of things.  But following the lead of one person, never allowing anyone else in because they don’t look, dress or act the same, is nothing short of becoming a mass production.  A copycat!   Bee an original!  Embrace your independence and individuality!
 

On the other hand, not hanging around anyone else, period,  because you don't want to, can lead to a very lonely life.  Not to mention:

BEE-O-R-I-N-G!!! 

For crying out loud!!!  If someone is reaching out to you, make the time to find out what they’re about! Maybe you have something in common! Take a chance!  You will never discover this unless you make the effort!  And would you really pass on a chance to make a new friend?

Whatever you are doing, go beyond your daily routine and don’t get stuck in a rut!  A fun way to do it is pretending you are a field reporter and collecting info for a great story.

• If there is a group activity you want to participate in but the rest of your “closest” friends don’t want to, do it anyway!  
• Afraid of trying out for the choir because you think your voice is crackly and you're afraid you might actually be heard?  Who cares!  Give it a try! The person teaching the class will help you!

Whatever you do, do not let fear of messing up or making mistakes hold you back!  Otherwise you will never learn how to do anything!   Life is one big school and we are all students and will continue to be as long as we live... so get used to it!  No one is perfect!  And besides, there is perfection in imperfection and fun in making mistakes!  It's called learning!

Living life to the fullest and meeting new people opens a world of possibilities.  Plus, when you get to see how other people live, it helps you to appreciate what you do have because not everyone has the same and there is always something to be thankful for.  A smile or fun time shared can change lives!

If nothing else, it certainly will provides you with plenty of stories to share at the end of the day with the people in your own culture!

And who knows!?!  You just may inspire them to do some field reporting of their own.

Bee a star by being who you are!   Bee Atypical!

Dare to bee square Daddy-O!