Ever Feel like it's Groundhog day?

[JoanneNY]

So, Dylan's been back in school for about 3 weeks now and his teacher contacted me on Friday and said she'd like to meet with me to dicuss his lack of focus when it comes to writing. Ummmm, yeah, he has ADD and all the research indicates that writing in particular can be a challenge (both the physical act as well as the creative piece). Dylan is actually a fairly good writer, he just doesn't have stamina for it - he writes for 15 minutes and he's done (even if he didn't get a lot down). In fifth grade they are expected to write for a minimum of 30 minutes independently. Not gonna happen at least not on demand this early in the year. So, the teacher wants to meet with me and that's where the Groundhog Day comes in. I feel like I have this same conversation with is teacher each year, we come up with some possible strategies, solutions, and then they aren't really followed through with. I mean, it's not like there's a red flag here and we don't know why he can't attend - HE HAS ADD. So, basically, the teacher wants me to figure out a way to "fix" this.

Just frustrated. Thanks for letting me vent.

[Adrienne]

sigh.....

I heard the "he just needs to stay focused" comment during open house......

[StaceyTX]

I hear ya! (((hugs)))

We aren't dealing with an official ADD diagnosis, but I feel the same way. I get "Kyler talks and talks and talks". Well, I'm not the one there, how can I fix it? I've given them permission to do whatever needs to be done - sit him away from the other students, sit him in the hall, even send him to the principal's office (thinking maybe a scare tactic might work with him).

Kyler's the same way with writing.

[pepper]

I heard it about my DD who is 5.5 and in school for the first time. The reason it's Groundhog Day for me is that I was a space cadet in school myself. I was diagnosed ADD when pregnant with her but have never been medicated. Wondering if it would help me parent!


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[BC-MAV]

That is older DS to a TEE with regards to writing!!! I am glad to know I am not alone and neither is he! I have told his teachers how much difficulty he has with writing, not so much the thoughts (although sometimes he is blank) but more the mechanics. He is good for about 15 minutes as well. His teacher said whatever it takes to get his writing assigment done is fine... so DS may have to dictate to us his thoughts, he may have to copy what we have written, he can type if has has to, and we can type if he isn't even up to tryping. I am glad the teachers understand. I think the teachers also get that the meds for ADHD do not help 100% and they are only part of the answer to him focusing.

[Adrienne]

We had the "work on your handwriting" comment on work last night--sigh. DS 9and ME!) get so frustrated about this. He needs to slow down and take his time.

What do you guys do about the handwriting?

My guy isn't on any meds--and we and the MD don't feel he needs to be on any--but the organizational skills and handwriting are really going to hold him back in this IB program.

[Adrienne]

We had the "work on your handwriting" comment on work last night--sigh. DS 9and ME!) get so frustrated about this. He needs to slow down and take his time.

What do you guys do about the handwriting?

My guy isn't on any meds--and we and the MD don't feel he needs to be on any--but the organizational skills and handwriting are really going to hold him back in this IB program.

[StaceyTX]

What is IB?

Kyler's handwriting is pretty bad too. I can't tell between is o's, e's and a's.

[StaceyTX]

Joanne,

Does it help him if he has a subject to write about? Or a minimum of sentences? Kyler's only in third grade, but it helps him. If he gets in trouble at school for talking, we make him write at home. Not just repeated sentences. I tell him he has to write me at least 10 sentences about his day. I also write him 10 sentences about my day and then I read his aloud and he reads mine aloud. It helps him to know what he needs to write about and how long it has to be. Believe me, he never writes more than he has to. LOL!

When it is journal time in class, he struggles because he doesn't have those limits or suggestions on what to write about.

[BC-MAV]

What do we do about writing?

DH and I are of the opinion that if DS just practices writing a lot he will get better, but I'm not sure. I asked DS Humanites teacher about if she felt like the writing would get better with practice and I got the impression that she felt in 5th grade their writing is as good as it gets and it doesn't get better with practice. I always thought if you practiced something often enough you would get good at it, but the teachere said when she types, still to this day she doesn't use the correct fingering and she looks at the keyboard. Anyways the teacher suggested doing whatever it takes to get a writing assigment down... dicating, copying, typing, etc... I do think that our kiddos that have a lot of difficulty with writing should start keyboarding lessons or typing early on say 3rd grade. Maybe for some the typing would be quicker but for DS it is as laborious as writing.

DH and I can see a SIGNIFICANT difference in DS handwriting when he is on the med vs off the med!!! I would really consider some med "just to see" if it makes a difference in the focusing with handwriting.

I think free form journal wirting is a lot harder for kids in general. I think it helps to have specifics on what to write!! In 4th grade they did book rubrics... I guess it's book reports and they had bullet points on what to include in book reports and points were taken off if they didn't include 1) a teaser for the book 2) who they reccomend the book to 3) summary not including all details and not the whole plot 4) type of book: science fiction, fantasy, realistic fiction, etc...

In 5th grade Humanities they have to write a couple of paragraphs every Tuesday. It is not free form wiritng so they basically answer questions usually about a book the class is reading or an independant book. The teacher says in a book report you can't say "I like it. It was good. It is a fun book. I rate it a 5." You have to include a summary of the book, who the main character is, what the conflict is, and say why you liked the book using descriptions and examples. The paragraps have to have minimum number of sentences.

In 5th grade sicence they have to write a report once a month on a science article of their choices. I think it helps if our kids can write on things they are interested in, but with guidance. The science reports have recquirments: article title, source, date, rotation, sumary of article, say whether it's a good article and why, at least 6 sentences, relevant facts, spelling, grammar, etc... and points are taken off for each little thing not included. So I think this helps DS because he has a list that he can check off.

Breaks are important. I am talking every 10-15 minutes a break from writing when I am helping DS with is homework. It is ridiculous, but it does help. WE limit the time he writes so if it's been 45 minutes to 1 hour and he is still not done, that's plenty and he dictates to me what he wants to write. The teachers have said they don't expect the kids to take more than 30 minutes, but that's a normal kid.

I think writing every day is important. I know they write in school but I honestly think writing every day at home is gonna help but I don't push it. I know a Mom who makes her kids keep a journal in the summer and they have to write every day. She doesn't care if it is doodles, scribbles, stories, copying out of books, whatever. She feels it keeps her kids writing in the summer and practicing.

One last note: Ticonderoga Tri Side penceils. DS says these are SO MUCH EASIER to write with. They come in a large Kindergarten size and normal size pencil. It has only 3 sides and DS says it is much more comfortable and he can write better. We are trying them out this week.