Ok, E is FINALLY Finished With 2nd Grade

It took a little longer than I had planned, due to every one of us in the house getting sick...first her, then me, then C. We have had sore throats and fevers, sinus issues, and earaches. So, while my intentions were to be completely finished 2 weeks ago, we just finally finished yesterday. We spent many days the past 2 weeks doing NO school, but this week we finally were able to pick up the pace and get through a few loose ends.

E's main unfinished business was her English. We completed Level 1 of First Language Lessons, and half the workbook pages in our Harcourt Press language book, that I've used to give her more seatwork and extra practice for English skills. We plan to keep right on working through the summer in Level 2 of FLL and the rest of her workbook pages in her Harcourt Language Arts book, in time to begin R&S 3rd grade English by August. This is the only subject E is a little behind in. She excels with the grammar portions, but is having some handwriting delays which is causing me to move her through a little slower than I normally would.

E has also been working very hard on learning and practicing her cursive handwriting. This is not really a specific grade level subject, although my goal is to have her be able to read and write cursive fluently by the time she begins 3rd grade. Most children seem to learn cursive during their 2nd or 3rd grade school year. E has had so many issues printing, that I'd wanted her to become more proficient with THAT before learning cursive, but I finally came to the conclusion that it might be easier for her to write using cursive. There have recently been many public debates at the national level on even TEACHING children cursive at ALL anymore, but I think every child should know both printing and cursive, and they can then choose which they prefer to use for their own writing. Many public schools have done away with cursive writing altogether. E really enjoys this "new" way of writing, and although she still labors, it seems to be a little easier for her, and she definitely writes MUCH neater in cursive than printing.

Those two things are the only things we were really working on for E to finish 2nd grade. Both of those we will CONTINUE to work on through the summer, if all goes as planned, but she has worked hard, done lots, and is easily able to be considered a 3rd grader now.

E and I actually have lots planned for the summer, because while C is "on break" I just have so much more time to really concentrate working with E. She is still young enough she LIKES school, and she gets bored and still ASKS to do school, so this won't be any problem at all THIS year, at least.

I will try to get a post written in the next few days about our summer schedule. But for now, I wanted everyone to know E has worked very hard this year, and done VERY well. I am so proud of her, and when I look at all she has learned, and can do, I am very proud of her. E is the only child who has NEVER been to public school at ALL, and I can really see a huge difference between her and my other 3 daughters at that age.

E's grades:

Math------A (almost A + for the entire year)
English---A
Spelling--A (again, almost A +, but spelling LESSONS and TESTS are not transferring into any of her other writing.)
Reading---A
Handwriting----not sure what grade to give her, LOL. A for effort, C or D in actual results.
Science---B. she participated well, understood almost everything, but has not retained as much as I would have liked.
Social Studies--B. same as science, participated, did her work well, understood it, but isn't retaining as much as I'd like.
Piano--A+ for sure. E loves the piano....I can't keep her from practicing, she drives us nuts playing constantly, she works and works and works on what she learns. I couldn't ask for anything more, and in fact, she EXCEEDS any expectations with this.
Health/P.E.---A+ too. She not only knows and retains anything to do with health, she sometimes scolds ME. LOL

Wonderful job E! I couldn't ask for a better "student" or daughter. You work so very hard, and are never a problem. You are a joy to work with and teach, and I love you more than you will ever imagine. Congratulations on completing 2nd grade!