Aug. 22, 2008 - Kindergarten Update

So, Katie started Kindergarten last week here at home. I don't really know what to expect from her, as she is my first female kindergartener.  There is a difference you know.  :)

Austin was taught completely at public school for K and Sam spent a few months in the same K class with the same teacher.  I remember that the boys learned all their letters, letter sounds, sight words, color words, number recognition, and by the end of the year they could "read" these short predictable readers. They also began a brief introduction to math concepts.  Austin is more of my math guy so he actually ended K knowing how to add and subtract one digit from a one digit number.  Sam comprehended this concept later into his 1st grade year. 

So tell me why, my daughter is working in a 1st grade math workbook and appears to grasp these math concepts.  She can also read a few sight words, recognize all letters upper and lower case, say all the appropriate sounds with few errors, write all letters, write short words and can spell several color words already, thanks to some cute songs we still remember from Austin's K year.  What is left to teach her?   How do I teach this girl of mine.  She wants to read so bad, but I don't want to rush her into such formal learning at 5.  Sam can't help himself and sneaks in some teaching with her too.  I guess he is the one who taught her to count by twos. 

 I am amazed at her strong desire to excell and her maturity. 

Even Lily walks around with her purple notebook and says she has to do her homeschool work.  She practices drawing "letters" and "writes " all sorts of stories.  Is this a girl thing?

If I could just get these boys as motivated. They are doing better that last year though and for that I am grateful.