Two Kid Schoolhouse
•
Aug. 11, 2006
-
"Write down all the words I know..."
My kids are going to sleepaway camp next week. This will be their first time to camp and they are excited but also a little nervous. The past few nights J has had trouble sleeping and we've had to spend some time talking about the fun things they'll do at camp, what to expect with regard to meals, etc.
Turns out one thing he's worried about is writing home. He is not a good speller and because he is a sight reader who memorizes words, I don't encourage "invented spelling" for him when writing. He usually still dictates to me something he wants to write (which is rare anyway) and I either write it down for him to copy, or we go over the words to be sure he doesn't misspell them.
So here's his plan for writing home without fear of misspelling:
"Mom, just write down all the words I know, and put them in a box. Then, when I want to write to you, I can just pull out the words and copy them."
Hmm... I suggested he just write very simple cards. (I'm going to give him a supply of self-addressed, stamped postcards to send.) We went through some of the activities he might do, and the spelling of the words. "So just write "fished" or "hiked" on the card. Then I'll at least know what you are doing." This seemed to help, maybe...
I've been getting a little flack from people about this camp:
"Your kids are too young!" they say. Well, maybe so. The camp brochure says "specifically designed for kids ages 7-9 who are having their first experience away from home." Sounds good to me. The camp is at a place both kids have been before, at a family camp. They will be together. It might be a disaster, or they might have the time of their lives.
"There will be a lot of public-school kids there." Oh my. How does one respond to this? "I don't think they have cooties"?
"Aren't you afraid they're going to teach evolution?" (The camp is run by our local science museum.) Well, not likely to a group of 7-9 year olds. I did tell the kids they might hear "billions of years" when talking about rocks, etc. They just shrugged - they've heard it before. We went over what to do if a teacher talks about people evolving from tiny little organisms: "You don't have to challenge the teacher. Just remember in your own heart that that is not true." We are called on to defend the Gospel, but I think 9 year old can get a pass on that one.
But we did talk about them showing Jesus' face to everyone by being kind, by helping out other kids who might be sad and scared to be away from home (nothing like helping someone else to cure your own troubles), and by obeying the counselors the first time.
Of course I am nervous too. I fear the dreaded call to come pick up my kid because she won't stop crying, or he won't stop breaking some rules. J especially sometimes acts inappropriately (what 9 year old boy doesn't?). So far in day camps and sleepovers with friends we've had no troubles at all. I also fear "something" will happen.
So we're all praying for help with our nervousness and help with our trust in God to protect us.
|
Post A Comment! :: Send to a Friend!
|
|
|
|
About Me |
|
Musings of a slacker homeschool Mom
|
|
|
|
• Aug. 12, 2006 - Untitled Comment