I can fly.

To finish up the pictures from the open house on the May 20, 3rd Grade.

First, I must say I took numerous pictures, but the kid likes to make funny faces for the camera on purpose... so I picked out the ones that looked semi- okay.

Pictured with his school projects that he has done through out the year.  The can is Einstein, I like the dimes he used for buttons.  The nice book on the table is filled with memories, pictures, and projects from the year.  I love it!  The cover was made by a mother in the classroom and then she and a few moms spent quite a bit of time assembling it.  It is very, very nice.

The other side of his Tri-fold habitat project.  He choose the Ring-tailed Lemur.   I really like his technique with the water colors and he really liked doing it.  If I had him color it with crayon... it would of not been enjoyable for him.  Giving him the canvas paper and the tubed watercolors his creativity flowed.   He was very proud to have done it all by himself-- I just did the typing.

Once upon a time... in fourth grade, Jordan had this same teacher.  A few of the projects were similar, just adapted to different curriculum.   It reminded me of how much I did for Jordan.  Too much, I must add.  I am doing better the second time around.  

Chance does not have a fondness for writing.  He can talk up a storm, but to put those ideas on paper...  oh my.   Special testing  at the school has found that Chance does not have the capabilities to put his ideas to words on paper in a format that is age appropriate.  It has enabled him to get the assistance he needs in this area.

For the above project to happen.  He would research, then tell me facts.  I would have to ask him questions so he was gathering the information the report asked for.  I wrote down exactly what he would say.  When it came time to make it into paragraphs he would dictate to me and I would type.  Word for word. 

I have learned this year that I do not correct a thing or tell him his assumptions or facts do not make sense.  It only leads to arguments which stops the whole process.  So I just type and carry on.   In the end, it is his words.   As it should be.  And it is HIS project.  As it should be.  Because I actually have already done 3rd grade... and do not need to do the work again.  It has taken me a long time to get to that point. 

It has been a good lesson to learn.  How many times as parents do we hinder the creativity or spontaneity of a child because we do not think they are doing it the way we think they should.  Or... we are worried that others will see our kids as "not perfect" or ourselves as "not perfect" parents.   So we hinder a child's independence and make up the difference so all appears "perfect".  In fact... do we do that to people in general.  Do we think that there is only one way to do things and if it is not done that way... they are wrong.   It is good to step back a space... let the person do, succeed or fail.  And IF they need our help, we are not there to say I told you so... but to encourage, to lift up, to lend a hand.   We may even find new and creative ways of doing things. 

And Chance... his wings lifted him.  If only you could of seen how excited he was about his Habitat project.  He carried it around,  slept with it next to him.  He danced to school with it.   The teacher noticed his delight... the classmates also noticed.  He beamed.  It was turned in on time and completed.  Something that has been very hard for him this year.  I know... some of you are cringing.  But remember, I want him to fly on his own.

There are a few crooked, misshapen feathers in the wing.  Taping them, holding them for him... will only hinder his progression.  But giving him the tools to mend his feathers empowers him for a lifetime.   And folks, he will do great things... I have been promised by a higher power.