Seems like that is all we ever do around this house...school work! As I have mentioned before, I have gone back to school full time at Utah Valley University. I am currently working on getting my Bachelors of Arts in Secondary Education in ASL and Deaf Studies. ASL isn't easy by any means. I get frustrated because much like spoken language, I usually know what I want to say but have a hard time articulating it in my signing. That doesn't mean that I give up or change my major in a moment of frustration. I see other people in my class catching on much sooner than me while I struggle through it. But that's what I do. I keep struggling then go home and struggle some more until it isn't so hard. I may have to practice twice as much as my classmates in order to be up to par with them, but it really is SO worth it.
Right now I am enrolled in 15 credit hours. I am taking BIOL 1200 (Prehistoric Life), ASL 2010 (Intermediate Sign Language), MATH 1050 (College Algebra), ANTH 101G (Anthropology) and ASL 2030 (Advanced Fingerspelling) I have been trying to figure out a way where I can double minor in Earth Science and Math and I pretty much had it all planned out to still graduate in April 2014, but then my adviser told me that getting my minor in those areas doesn't exactly line up with all of the classes I would need to get my teaching endorsements in those areas. So, back to the catalog I go to see how to take the right classes for my endorsements rather than my minor. I will still get a minor in one of these areas in addition to my teaching endorsements for both, I just haven't decided which one I want to focus on yet.
School for the kids is moving along nicely as well. Jay and Briget had their parent/teacher conferences for the 2nd term this past week. At the beginning of the year, Jay was struggling with reading at a second grade level. They rate them from A-Z and most second graders test at a level K at this point. Jay was testing at a level G at the last conference we had after 1st term. However, after two and a half months, he has moved up 3 levels and is now testing at a level J. So, just one more level to go until he is caught up in his reading. Math on the other hand has never been a problem with this kid. They have him in an enrichment Math class for advanced students and he is at the top of that class as well. He is adding and subtracting 3 digit numbers, multiplying up to 12's and is starting division (and having no problems grasping the concept). He is also focusing on his work and managing his class time MUCH better. I am so excited to see him progress and be so enthusiastic about school.
When Briget came to live with us in the middle of 5th grade, she had a lot of catching up to do. This girl is so determined and I love that she has a passion for learning. By the end of 5th grade she had progressed to a beginning second grade reading level and a 3rd grade math level. We have been working really hard with her this year to keep that progress continuing in the 6th grade. At her conference, her teachers were pleased to report that she is now testing at an end third grade level in reading and has caught up to a 5th grade level in Math. She is still in resource to get some more personalized accommodations for her education and she is benefiting from it greatly.
Alyssa is even jumping on the bandwagon with her studies. She just started a new Preschool/Daycare closer to home since we were unable to get her enrolled at the UVU Wee Care program again this semester. She LOVES reading books with Jay and Briget and recognizes any letter you point to and will tell you what sound it makes. She is counting to 20 (though not always consistently. She can get to 14 every time but will jump around after that once in a while) She loves learning about nature and science, though I am sure much of that has to do with her favorite TV show, Dinosaur Train. I gotta admit, it is pretty funny to listen to her tell me that she has a "hypossesis". She turns 4 this coming Sunday and it will be fun to see what new things she will learn at this age.
As for Jeremy, the poor guy doesn't have enough hours in the day to fit school time in. I really hope he is able to start back up sometime soon to continue his bachelors degree, but right now he is working 12-15 hour days. Too bad he is now in a salaried position and doesn't get over time for all of that work. However, right now, in this economy, we are thankful he even has a job so I can't complain too much. Hopefully the long hours will end soon enough for him to enjoy these kids while they are still so darn cute. Not much longer until they are mouthy teenagers.
