Does enrolling in REACH guarantee that my child’s grades will improve? There are many factors that can affect student learning such as poor study habits or inadequate motivation. Our focus is not just on grades, but also on academic growth and understanding. Effort in and outside of REACH on the part of the student is critical to his or her success. A student must work outside of REACH sessions in order to make adequate progress. If my child is struggling in school but is in an early grade, should I just wait until he or she is older to seek help? Absolutely not! Research shows that the ideal window of opportunity for addressing reading difficulties is during kindergarten and first grade. The National Institutes of Health state that 95% of poor readers can be brought up to grade level if they receive effective intervention early. While it is still possible to help an older child with reading, those beyond third grade require more intensive remediation. The longer you wait to get assistance, the harder it is to catch up. Does my child need a diagnosed learning difference in order to enroll in the REACH program? No. REACH realizes that all students do not learn the same way or at the same rate. Sometimes individual instruction may be helpful for a student to achieve optimal academic success. How will the REACH teacher know which skills to target? The REACH teacher and the classroom teacher work closely together to meet the needs of students. Do REACH services require an additional fee? Yes Hello, Governor II checking in. Have you been glued to the television watching these amazing athletes compete for Olympic medals? My pet parent, Mrs. Ellis and I have been watching these amazing events. We were especially interested in Michael Phelps. He is amazing. But in the classroom, he floundered. An inability to concentrate was his biggest problem.HIs mom Debbie said, “I was told by one of his teachers that he couldn’t focus on anything.” She consulted a doctor, and nine-year-old Michael was diagnosed with ADHD. “Whenever a teacher would say, ‘Michael can’t do this,’ I’d counter with, ‘Well, what are you doing to help him?’” she recalls. After Michael kept grabbing a classmate’s paper, Debbie suggested that he be seated at his own table. When he moaned about how much he hated reading, she started handing him the sports section of the paper or books about sports. Noticing that Michael’s attention strayed during math, she hired a tutor and encouraged him to use word problems tailored to Michael’s interests: “How long would it take to swim 500 meters if you swim three meters per second?” At swim meets, Debbie helped Michael stay focused by reminding him to consider the consequences of his behavior. She recalls the time when 10-year-old Michael came in second and got so upset that he ripped off his goggles and threw them angrily onto the pool deck. During their drive home, she told him that sportsmanship counted as much as winning. “We came up with a signal I could give him from the stands,” she says. “I’d form a ‘C’ with my hand, which stood for ‘compose yourself.’ Every time I saw him getting frustrated, I’d give him the sign. Once, he gave me the ‘C’ when I got stressed while making dinner. You never know what’s sinking in until the tables are turned!” Debbie used various strategies to keep Michael in line. Over time, as his love of swimming grew, she was delighted to see that he was developing self-discipline. “For the past 10 years, at least, he’s never missed a practice,” she says. “Even on Christmas, the pool is the first place we go, and he’s happy to be there.” Debbie applies what she learned raising Michael to all of her students, whether or not they have ADHD. “All kids can fail us at times,” she says. “But if you work with them, nine times out of 10, they’ll make you proud.” I find this story quite inspiring! This is Governor II here signing off for now! Get ready for a great school year! Governor II here! For those of you who may be new to this site, my name is Governor II. I am Mrs. Ellis' favorite pet. However, I was a little worried this summer when American Pharaoh won the triple crown. She was really enamored with that horse! However, I think I am safe. Whew!
I will be here monthly to share news and information with you. It's good to be back! Get ready for a fabulous year of learning and fun at Harding Academy. I look forward to sharing with you during the year information and ideas that I learn from my pet parent, Mrs. Ellis. She is always looking for new ideas and ways to make learning meaningful. See you later with tips and ideas for learning. Until then, Governor II signing off until next month Again, Welcome Back!!!! Hello, Governor II checking in. When I spoke to you last, Punxsutawney Phil had just predicted we would have more winter weather. Well, he made a believer out of me. My pet parent, Mrs. Ellis had had to de-ice me after I went walking in the snow! Those were some serious ice balls! It's hard to believe we live in the sunny South! Well, as they say, "If March comes In like a lion, it goes out like a lamb." If that is true, spring must be just around the corner. Have you ever wondered where that phrase came from? I did some research, and here is what I discovered:
The Truth Behind “In Like A Lion, Out Like a Lamb” by Sandi Duncan | Monday, March 1st, 2010 | From: Weather “If March comes in like a lion, it will go out like a lamb?” Is there any truth to this saying??? Weather sayings are as colorful as our imagination. While many sayings are based on careful observations and turn out to be accurate, others are merely rhymes or beliefs of the people who came before us. Those people often believed that bad spirits could affect the weather adversely, so they were cautious as to what they did or did not do in certain situations. Those beliefs often included ideas that there should be a balance in weather and life. So, if a month came in bad (like a lion), it should go out good and calm (like a lamb). With March being such a changeable month, in which we can see warm spring-like temperatures or late-season snowstorms, you can understand how this saying might hold true in some instances. We can only hope that if March starts off cold and stormy it will end warm and sunny, but the key word is hope. However, this saying seems be to more of a rhyme rather than a true weather predictor. Some other March related lore includes: A dry March and a wet May?Fill barns and bays with corn and hay. As it rains in March so it rains in June. March winds and April showers? Bring forth May flowers. So long until next month. Spring can't be far away!!! Hello again! Governor II here. Thought I would invite some Valentine friends to share my page with me this month. I guess you could say that February is the month for love.
However, I would like to share some interesting about February with you. Have you ever heard of Leap Day? How about Groundhog Day? Check out this fun link for February. Find out how much you know about this month! http://www.funtrivia.com/playquiz/quiz6530977caa0.html Leap Day: February 29 is Leap Day, February 29, is added to the calendar in Leap Years. This extra day makes the year 366 days long – and not 365 days, like a common (normal) year. Leap Years occur nearly every 4 years in our modern Gregorian Calendar. When is the next Leap Year? 2016 is a Leap Year, so the next Leap Day falls on February 29, 2016. The last Leap Day was on February 29, 2012. What years are Leap Years? Traditions and folklore say that Leap Day as a concept that has existed for more than 2000 years, and is still associated with age-old traditions, folklore and superstition. One of the most popular traditions is that women propose to their boyfriends. Leap Day Traditions and Superstitions Leap Day Trivia Leap Days are needed to keep our calendar in alignment with the Earth's revolutions around the Sun. It takes the Earth approximately 365.242199 days (a tropical year) to circle once around the Sun. If we didn't add a day on February 29 nearly every 4 years, we would lose almost six hours every year. After only 100 years, our calendar would be off by approximately 24 days in relation to the seasons. The ancient Roman Calendar added an extra month every few years to maintain the correct seasonal changes. Julius Caesar implemented a new calendar – the Julian Calendar – in 45 BC with an extra day added every 4 years. At the time, Leap Day was February 24, and February was the last month of the year. Groundhog Day Happy 2015 everyone!
I forgot my party hat, but I am still excited about a brand new year! It is always a good idea to reflect on the past year and make resolutions for a whole new year! I hope Santa found everyone. He certainly found me. I must have been a very good boy! I asked my pet parent, Mrs. Ellis, what exactly is a resolution. She told me it was goal setting. She said that it is important to set realistic goals. Before your kids head back to school next week, set some time aside time to create new goals that your kids can work toward in the upcoming months. Remember, there is no right or wrong way to help them set their goals as long as they are achievable and realistic. Feel free to create some short and long-term goals. The best way to get your children involved is to set goals with them. This way they can see it is just as important for you to achieve and work toward New Year’s resolutions as it is for them. Making a list of goals just sounds tedious and boring, especially for kids. Instead of having them write a list, they can draw pictures of the goals they want to create. They could even paint them, and you can post them on the refrigerator where they can see them every day. As you create goals with your kids in the New Year, don’t forget to add a few education goals that will prep them for higher learning and will encourage them to perform better in school. One goal I recommend is to read aloud a minimum of 20 minutes every day. Whether you set one goal or many, make sure you set at least one. Everyone needs goals in order to succeed. Happy goal setting!! Remember to try to set "REACH"able goals. This is Governor II signing off until next time! Hello! It's Governor II again. Well, it's finally here!! It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!! I found some interesting facts about the month of December that I would like to share with you. December is the month with the shortest daylight hours of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and the longest daylight hours of the year in the Southern Hemisphere. 10 Interesting Facts About the Month December 1. International Hug Day The hugs are meant to be random act of kindness, a selfless act performed just to make others feel better. This year’s International Free Hugs Day is celebrated on Dec 4. Give all your loved ones hugs this day2. Winter Flowers Day 2.Winter Flowers Day Winter Flowers Day could be a tribute to the flowers in your yard or your local botanical garden. Because December is very romantic month 3.Human Rights Day Human Rights Day is celebrated annually across the world on 10 December. The date was chosen to honor the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption and proclamation, on 10 December 1948, of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the first global enunciation of human rights and one of the first major achievements of the new United Nations. 4. Monkey Day Monkey Day is an unofficial holiday celebrated internationally on every year December 14. The holiday was started in 2000 when founder Casey Sorrow jokingly scribbled Monkey Day on a friend’s calendar, and first celebrated by Lansing residents and art students at Michigan State University. It gained notoriety when Casey Sorrow and Eric Millikin’s own comic strip, Fetus-X, began promoting it online along with other cartoonists. Since then, Monkey Day has been celebrated internationally, across countries like the U.S., Canada, Germany, and the United Kingdom. 5. Winter Begins The astronomical winter (Northern Hemisphere) begins Friday, 21 December 2012. Celebrate the beginning of winter by taking a sleigh ride together, going sledding, or heading out on the ski slopes. The idea is to have some romantic winter fun together. 6. Forefather’s Day Forefathers’ Day is a holiday celebrated in Plymouth, Massachusetts, on December 22 . It is a commemoration of the landing of the Pilgrim Fathers in Plymouth, Massachusetts, on December 21, 1620. It was introduced in Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1769. In adjusting the date to the Gregorian calendar, the anniversary was erroneously established on December 22 instead of December 21. Forefathers’ Day is a well known and well celebrated holiday in Plymouth. Winter Solstice- It is the shortest day of the year. Celebrated by the Romans with a feast, called Saturnalia. 8. Christmas Evening Christmas Eve is the evening or entire day preceding Christmas Day, the widely celebrated annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. It occurs on December 24 in the Western Christian Church, and is considered one of the most culturally significant celebrations in Christendom and the Western world, where it widely observed as a full or partial holiday in anticipation of Christmas Day. 9. Christmas Day Christmas is an annual commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ and a widely observed holiday, celebrated generally on December 25 by billions of people around the world. Christmas is a civil holiday in many of the world’s nations, is celebrated by an increasing number of non-Christians, and is an integral part of the Christmas and holiday season. 10. New Years Evening In the Gregorian calendar, New Year’s Eve, the last day of the year, is on December 31. In many countries, New Year’s Eve is celebrated at evening social gatherings, where many people dance, eat, drink alcoholic beverages, and watch or light fireworks to mark the new year. Some people attend a watch-night service. The celebrations generally go on past midnight into January 1 (New Year’s Day). Wishing you the very Merriest of Christmas this season. Signing off now with this poem which is one of my favorites. The Littlest Christmas Tree The littlest Christmas tree, lived in a meadow of green, Among a family, of tall evergreens, He learned how to whisper, the evergreen song, with the slightest of wind, that came gently along. He watched as the birds, made a home out of twigs, and couldn't wait till, he too was big. For all of the trees, offered a home, the maple, the pine, and the oak, who's so strong. "I hate being little", the little tree said, "I can't even turn colors, like the maple turns red", "I can't help the animals, like the mighty old oak", "He shelters them all, in his wide mighty cloak". The older tree said, "Why little tree you don't know? The story of a mighty king, from the land with no snow?" Little tree questioned, "A land with no snow?" "Yes!" said old tree, "A very old story, from so long ago". "A star appeared, giving great light, over a manger, on long winters night. A baby was born, a king of all kings, and with him comes love, over all things." "He lived in a country, all covered in sand, and laid down his life, to save all of man.' Little tree thought of the gift given by him, then the big tree said with the happiest grin, "We're not just trees, but a reminder of that day, there's a much bigger part, of a role that we play!" "For on Christmas eve, my life I'll lay down, in exchange for a happier, loving ground. And as I stand dying, they'll adorn me in trim, this all will be done, in memory of him". "Among a warm fire, with family and friends, in the sweet songs of Christmas, I'll find my great end, then ever so gently, he'll come down to see, and take me to heaven, Jesus and me". "So you see little tree, we are not like the oak, who shelters all things, beneath his great cloak. Nor are we like the maple in fall, who's colors leave many, standing in awe". "The gift that we give, is ourselves, limb for limb, the greatest of honor, in memory of him". The little tree bowed, his head down and cried, and thought of the king, who willingly died. For what kind of gift, can anyone give? Then to lay down your life, when you wanted to live. A swelling of pride came over the tree, Can all of this happen? Because of just me? Can I really bring honor? By adorning a home? By reminding mankind, that he's never alone? With this thought, little tree, began singing with glee, Happy and proud, to be a true Christmas tree. You can still hear them singing, even the smallest in height, singing of Christmas, and that one holy night Source: http://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/the-littlest-christmas-tree#ixzz3KkxQjW46 Family Friend Poems Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year! Here I am again. Governor II here. November is a meaningful time around my house. My pet parent mom, Mrs. Elaine Ellis, is a descendant of a passenger on the Mayflower, Governor William Bradford. Can you guess where I got my name? She visited Plimouth Plantation this summer and got to go aboard the Mayflower II. She was amazed at how small and cramped that ship was for 102 passengers. What an amazing journey!! What a hard trip!! What brave Pilgrims!! I want to share some Thanksgiving thoughts with you this month. Enjoy!! Governor II signing off until next month! A Bountiful Thanksgiving Tradition Tucked between the two monster sized holidays of Halloween and Christmas, Thanksgiving receives far less attention. But Thanksgiving is a very important holiday, especially in the busy lives of Americans. It is a time to kick back and relax, watch a football game or go to a movie, and enjoy a huge feast. It's also time for us to give thanks to our God, for the things he has bestowed upon us and upon this great nation. There is no nation in the world that has more to be thankful for than us. Thanksgiving History: The first Thanksgiving was celebrated between the Pilgrims and the Indians in 1621.That first feast was a three day affair. Life for the early settlers was difficult. The fall harvest was time for celebration. It was also a time of prayer, thanking God for a good crop. The Pilgrims and the Indians created a huge feast including a wide variety of animals and fowl, as well as fruits and vegetables from the fall harvest. This early celebration was the start of today's holiday celebration. Like then, we celebrate with a huge feast. Today, most of us enjoy Turkey with "all the trimming". The "trimming" include a wide variety of foods that are a tradition for your family. Those traditional foods often replicate the foods at the first Thanksgiving feast. While others, are traditional ethnic or religious groups recipe, or a special food item that your family always serves at Thanksgiving dinner. Then, to top it off, pumpkin pies, apple pies, an even mince meat pies are bountiful around the table. American Thanksgiving traditions revolve around a huge and lavish meal, usually with Turkey as the centerpiece. For those who do not like Turkey, a Roast or Prime Rib is common. As tradition has it in most families, a special prayer of thanks precedes the meal. In many homes, family members will each mention something they are very thankful for. Did you know? Potatoes were not part of the first Thanksgiving. Irish immigrants had not yet brought them to North America. After the first Thanksgiving, the observance was sporadic and almost forgotten until the early 1800's. It was usually celebrated in late September or October. In 1941, Congress made it a national holiday and set the date as the fourth Thursday in November. |
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