Lake’s second year of First Grade is winding down. He has two days left. It’s been an incredible year. He’s doing well—continuing to make steady progress in learning and having a good experience. The second round of First Grade went much better than the first. He had ended Kindergarten in the 30-40th percentile range and stayed there all year in First Grade last year. He was getting extra support at school for reading four days a week, but it appeared that school continued to feel like drowning and he would come home crying and yelling from the exhaustion and the strain. He’s stayed on a steady learning curve the entire time since beginning Kindergarten, and since the repeating of Grade 1, he’s moved into the 80-90th percentile where he had been able to enjoy and absorb the learning, feel more confident and make friends. We are not ones to put too much emphasis on numbers in performance, however I do think it indicated accuracy of assigned age and developmentally appropriateness where the curriculum is aimed at his level of learning readiness. He’s finally in a good spot this year and has resources remaining after learning the reading, writing, arithmetic skills so that he can enjoy his “extracurricular” activities of music, art, dance, and acting. Good job, Lake! You’ve been working hard and doing well.

Last month a highlight was Lake performed in his class’s end of the year play. Michael, Lady Kitty, Theresa and I were all there in the audience to celebrate their accomplishments and definitely to enjoy the show. They did a fantastic job! Well done to their teacher Ms. Thomas for her outstanding leadership and direction.

The play was written by a prior First Grader and had a ‘pirates and mermaids meet environmental efforts by sea life to protect the oceans’ storyline. Lake had a few lines as a comic shark which he delivered spot on, projecting loud and clear, and with perfect comedic timing. Many other parents came up to us to proclaim him “star shark” and “star of the First Grade play.”

I’m including Lakes lines here for your enjoyment, although the words on the page don’t do his performance justice. You’ll have to fill in the laughter with your imagination.

Q: Why didn’t the shrimp share his treasure?

A: He was a little shell-fish!

Q: Why did the shark say after he ate the clown fish?

A: That tasted funny!

Bravo Lake! Superb! Such fun! A perfect day, I’m glad I spent it with you my dear comedic thespian!