Bop N Pop

First you Bop then you Pop, is what Brode repeated to me days before his Pre-K class hosted a musical performance. He was so excited. The entire family was invited. He was so excited for his brothers and Dad to be in his class. But I think he was more excited for his popsicle that followed the performance.

The sweet girl on the left is the infamous Rachel.

The girl that has stolen Brode's heart. 

Mrs. Woods

Mrs. Vickie

(although for the longest she was Mrs. Vickie Vale)

This year of Pre-K has been so wonderful. Brode really has learned a lot.
-Can identify the entire alphabet, upper and lower case
-Can write the entire alphabet, upper and lower case
-Is beginning to sound out the first letter of words
-Identifies numbers, in fact he informs me of the speed limit
-Can count to 100
-Will sit and color a picture and tries very hard to color inside the lines (gets very frustrated when Graham "scribble-scrabbles")
-Loves to rhyme
-Can do simple addition and subtration
-Loves to create patterns and can identify something when it is in a pattern

Brode's last day of Pre-K is May 23rd 2012, so tomorrow. He is very excited because he knows this means he'll be going to Kindergarten. Unfortunately, I don't think he is aware that there is a 2.5 month break before he starts. Pre-K has not been at his Neighborhood School, so next year he'll be in a different school with Graham, YAY!!! Brode was heart broken when he realized he wouldn't be at the same school. He envisioned coming into Mrs. Woods class and saying "hi" and showing off what he is learning. We saw tears. She has invited Brode to email her or come by the school if he'd like.

Mrs. Woods has been a great teacher. She's been very patient with Brode and has taught him a lot. He's received 2 Report Cards (the 3rd should come today or tomorrow). On the previous Report Card, in the comments portion, she wrote that Brode needs help being redirected. Micah and I weren't sure what this meant. We knew that one week Brode had a difficult time with some boys and pushed them. We also knew he had a time out for throwing rocks, so we were a little concerned about what this meant and we wondered if there was something we needed to discuss with him or work on at home. Micah and I set up a meeting with Mrs. Woods. She informed us that the redirecting is related to focusing on one task at a time, instead of jumping from one center to the next without finishing the first. She also said that it was something all the students were focusing on. Whew, Relief!

We also asked her about his behavior and if he'd shown anymore signs of aggression. She said he was doing great. I also asked her if there was anything that has changed because Brode had recently started asking to stay home from school (i figured it was just laziness, but wanted to be sure). The words seemed to make her sad. She didn't think there was anything. She called him the "ring leader" on the playground. Meaning all the kids love to play with Brode. And he's very polite in the classroom. Mrs. Vickie has commented that he is her special helper, because he knows the order in which things are to happen. He loves being in charge and helping out. Brode also loves to sing songs and sings them loudly (I'm sure you heard that in the video).

After the students sang to us the songs they had learned throughout the year, we went outside for popsicles. I chatted with Mrs. Woods. Told her how much we appreciated her and how we would really miss her. She has just really enjoyed Brode and considers him "to be a sponge". I am very excited for the summer and the fun things I'll get to do with our boys. But I am super excited for Brode to enter Kindergarten. He really loves to learn and be around people.