Learning Leaps

Last night, after I tucked the kids in, Bruce went in their rooms to kiss them all goodnight. We usually do this together, but Bruce was working on homework and on the phone when I started the process.

I headed to bed shortly after, because this week has been a sleepless one for me. While I was in the bathroom taking out my contacts, Bruce came in, laughing. I asked what was so funny.

He said when he went into Spencer's room, he found him sprawled out on the floor, writing letters on paper. Trying to be encouraging, Bruce said, "What are you doing?"

"I'm writing a book," Spencer said.

"Well, what's it about?" Bruce asked.

And as he showed Bruce his paper, Spencer said, "You tell me."

Most famous authors don't need interpreters to understand their own works, but that's okay. He's got to start somewhere.

Then Bruce noticed that Spencer really was writing words down. He had copied them from an Arthur book. That's exactly how Clay got started. He writes books constantly now. But they both started by copying the letters... very literally, too. The letter "a" is not written like the script taught these days, but like a typewriter "a" that you see in books.

It's so exciting to see them grow in their learning.

Today Bruce and I met with the Outreach teacher at Clay's school. He has been undergoing testing since before Christmas, and the last thing they tested was his I.Q. Today's meeting was for the teacher to explain the test results and for us to sign a lot of paper work that would allow Clay to be in the Outreach classes.

We've downplayed this whole process with Clay. He has no idea that the whole testing was to determine how smart he is or isn't. We just told him he should have fun with the testing, and that he might get to spend some time outside his classroom, learning more challenging things. He thinks that's cool.

I really like his new Outreach teacher. She's been doing it since Bruce was a kid, and even had Bruce in her classes a long time ago. I could see her excitement about working with the kids, which is what we've really been blessed with in his school - teachers that love what they're doing.

Funny thing is that during the interview process with the psychologist, Clay told him he really wanted to be homeschooled again for third grade. It's not that he doesn't love his teachers, his buddies or his school.

He misses mommy.

I know because he told me so.