That's hard, Kat. Math really does require a lot of big conceptual leaps. I remember with my kids we started by counting on fingers or counting and adding objects (like grapes or what not). But they are both like Noah and picked it up easily, so I am sure I have a skewed sense of how to teach it.

Burrell, that has to be wonderful and surreal at the same time.

Exactly. I've been reeling all day.

Grace reads and writes close to grade level -- she wrote a 4 sentence paragraph about a field trip they went on this week with no spelling errors and only minimal handwriting formation issues. Her reading comprehension is inconsistent.

But other content areas are questionable. She had a science test today and got herbivore and carnivore mixed up, even though we studied it last night and this morning.

Burrell, that's wonderful news.

Noah is Noah when it comes to math. We were talking about how much testing Grace's teacher does. And Noah asked, "How many tests?" So I said, "it seems like it's 3 a week." Then he replied with "So twelve a month and 120 a school year." Um. Yes. Exactly that. My kid gets tested 120 times per school year and there are only 180 days.

Granted, the upside means that there are plenty of times for her to demonstrated what she knows.

But with Noah? He's all, "When can I learn division?" And when I explained it to him, he started doing it in his head. WEIRD.

Oh, yay, Burrell. I've been worried for you all.

Kat, Suzi, msbelle: much sympathy about the kids & school.

Burrell, really good news about your sister.

Sympathy for all the Buffista parents and kidlets.

Burrell, you have been on a roller coaster, I can't even imagine. I am pleased for your sister though.

ita, has anyone mentioned a squirrel - or is that too low ball?

Burrell, I'm glad your sister is doing better.

Kids and school, man. When I was in 10th grade my grades slipped significantly, even though my parents were teachers themselves and my teachers were over for barbecue on a semi-regular basis. There was a bunch of other stuff going on in my life and I just didn't see the point. The other stuff changed and so did my grades. But while I was in the middle of it, I'm sure it was hard on my parents.

Burrell, that is wonderful news about your sister. I'm so glad to hear it.

School stress -- I am sorry. That sounds super-frustrating.

I am with you guys on the furlough thing. DH has been off, and though he has vacation accrued, he's burning through it ans super-bored. And we're both really stressed about it, and then we (well, he) is going to mediation with the ex next Friday. And my bff of 20 years flipped the fuck out and "broke up" with me via TEXT last Tuesday (OMG, she unfriended me on FB!) because I am not "recovering" from depression fast enough for her and she can't take the stress. (I get being friends with a person who has chronic depression IS stressful, but since I actually, through intense therapy and a change in ADs, am doing pretty damned good, I am all "Well, fuck you! I stood by you through your recovery from alcoholism (and all the years you were a drunk hot mess, and you can't even fucking call me and break up to my face? So damn be it.) Do some goddamn research about what depression is, because I'm real fucking sorry it's hard for you to deal. Try living with my brain.)

And if I WEREN'T doing well with my depression, this last week would have me in a shuddering mess on the floor, and instead of going semi-catatinic, I'm PISSED, applying for jobs, and cutting my hair and doing housework. So fuck her.

Huh. I guess I needed to get that out.