Graduate ~ Celebrate
Written by admin on November 23rd, 2009As many of you know, my second son Joseph graduates from our homeschool this year. Is he spelling like I wanted him to? No. But I know that learning does not stop just because someone hands you a diploma. Spelling well is going to be a personal challenge for him his whole life. It’s a challenge that I cannot undertake for him, though I will continue to encourage him to find ways to maneuver around and work with his dyslexia, and in spite of his dyslexia!
As a benefit of being a consistent member of North Carolinians for Home Education (NCHE), we can order a diploma for a graduating child by filling out a form and sending 5 dollars for postage. It’s still up to me to put the transcripts together, but I think it is so nice to have a professional looking diploma for my son’s records. We were all very excited (just like we were for Daniel) when Joseph’s diploma arrived in the mail. Michaela took one look at it and disappeared. I did not think much about it until she reappeared with a homemade “cap” to go with Joseph’s diploma.
It’s made from a column of cardstock, upon which sits a lovely square of cardboard, and (leaving no detail undone) there’s a fancy link of blue beads for Joseph’s graduation tassle. What a graduation ceremony they had in the kitchen! I told Joseph he certainly needed to keep that cap forever! It is indeed one of a kind.
When you have a child with special needs, it’s easy to feel like you failed. You can think of the “what ifs” until you make yourself crazy. I did that for a couple of years, and while I still worry some, in the last year I have seen Joseph begin to find some things in life that he is very interested in. I have watched over the last four years as he read nearly 100 large (500+ pages) books for pleasure. I know that he has what he needs on the inside to work hard and to find a way to make it, and that is more important than anything else.
It’s rainy here today and it’s a work day for me. Michaela will do timed drill sheets for math. I have some of my garden pictures printed out of the butterfly lifecycle and will have her arrange those and label them for her school notebook. She is continuing to read in her Ambleside Year 5 books. She will do a geography word find and some writing today. When you work and homeschool, it’s good to have some easy ideas before you sit down at your desk!
I’m thankful for a cozy little office in which to work, my rain barrel that’s running over, the near-by birdfeeder that I can watch, family, faith, my tea kettle, and so many other little and big things. Have a good Monday.
Lynn
for you to leave a comment, but you can also e-mail me at lynn AT thehealthyhomeschool.com
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Now I call that a loving brother to be willing to wear and be photographed in a homemade graduation cap! Your two look very sweet together♥
We are all Thanksgiving, all the time ’round here this week. Noah is reading Thanksgiving related passages and doing comprehension questions on them. (I’m sure it qualifies as “twaddle” but this sort of thing is pretty rare, so I hope Charlotte wouldn’t disapprove too terribly much;)) Math is Thanksgiving themed word problems. He’s making a picture dictionary of Wampanoag words, and we’re making a Thanksgiving Trivia board game. Millen is along for the ride mostly, but she is doing a Thanksgiving Memory game and has math worksheets with a Thanksgiving theme as well.
Have a fun day.. hope your work time goes quickly and efficiently, my dear☺
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Hello Lynn,
It has been awhile that I have stopped by. I am sorry that I have missed so much…it was fun to catch up on what has been happening to your beautiful family.
How wonderful that your dear son has graduated. As a mother of a child with disabilities, I can understand your concerns but also I am so encouraged by your words.
Yes, learning does not stop when someone hands you a piece of paper. I am glad that he has finished. Dyslexia is not easy but I am sure with the support that you and your loving family has giving him, he will feel encouraged to take on the world
blessings to you today a work day.
maria
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Oh congratualtions… love the grad hat. lol
It can be hard with hs a child with sn.
I can not believe how Michaela has grown!!
Patricia
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Diane, I know it’s easy to brag on one’s own kids, but Joseph is truly a sweet person. He is very good to Michaela!
Maria, thank you so much for your kind comment.
I hope Joseph will succeed at every good thing he wants to do. Best wishes to your SN child as well.
Patricia, I told her the other day that she is not allowed to get any taller!! She is growing up so fast! I felt that way when I saw the pictures of Sage too. She is turning into quite the young lady.
Lynn
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Dear Lynn,
Please share my congratulations with Joseph. Completing high school is a huge deal! As he passes into the next phase of his life may God bless him and guide him on his journey.
And Mom. congrats to you also. It was your hard work, dedication, and love that has aided in his success.
Have a magnificent day,
Diane
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Congratulations to you and your son!
Jenn
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DianeM, thank you!! That means a lot. I feel like we still have loose ends, but he’s reading well, he’s found some interests in life that he loves and that he can make a living with, and we studied Shakespeare.
I can’t complain.
Lynn
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Jenn, thank you!!
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Congratulations Joseph! I am so proud of you! And congratulations to you too, Lynn. You knew what was best for your child and you kept at it! You both inspire me! I would love to see you while I am in town. Give me a call if you can.
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Congrats to Joseph and to you Lynn! What an accomplishment.
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Congrats to Joseph and to you Lynn! What an accomplishment.
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Lynn – I didn’t realize he was graduating this semester!!! Congrats to both of you.
I think you are an awesome mom and teacher. I know he will do well. I appreciate the encouragment of schooling a child with SN as we are on that path as well.
Love
Leslie