Let's be brutally honest. Going someplace new can be intimidating for us. Some people don't know how to react to our children and their special needs. We aren't always embraced cause let's face it. We don't look "normal," we move slower, we may require an extra explanation (or two), Miss A does quite a bit of her communicating in sign language, and Pat doesn't totally "get" the English language yet. We were upfront with our needs when we registered, and our new co-op was very accepting of us. We were happy to find cheerful, friendly faces today, and the special needs were really not a big deal. The kids all seemed to like their new classes too.
The three younger kids are in a lapbook class about Native Americans (great way to learn some American history!) and a class about holidays. THIS is marvelous!
Our biological kids grew up with the holidays and learned over the years why we celebrate each one. Our kids from China haven't had the benefit of these lifelong traditions, and I know I haven't always done such a great job explaining the history of them.
Today we studied about President's Day, and specifically George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. The teacher had the classroom looking festive with red, white and blue balloons. She gave a short history lesson about both presidents, then there was a craft with the silhouette of the two presidents on it. Each child began a 2016 calendar on which each holiday, as well as family birthdays are written. At the end of the semester they will have a calendar for next year labeled with these special days as well as the holidays they studied. The class ended with cupcakes, candles and singing Happy Birthday! Yeah, they can hardly wait for next week!
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