Cole's teacher, Mrs. Munn, had a little graduation ceremony for her class on the last day of school. Each student was called to the front of the room and received their diploma and awards. Cole received a Math Achievement award, and also an award from the Mileage Club for having logged 25 miles. Cole also had fabulous growth as a reader. He entered Kindergarten knowing a few sight words and reading a level A (very first level). By the end of the year, Cole advanced so much that he was reading a level H! And this is without any Guided Reading or individual reading instruction in class. Cole adored Mrs. Munn and had a wonderful experience with her!
They had created several special memory books that will be treasured. But by far, the most precious piece is the flower he created.
Mrs. Munn read Leo the Late Bloomer to the class. For background, Leo is a lion cub who is very slow to do things - read, write, cut...- and one parent worries about him and compares him to the other cubs. The other parents reminds the other that everyone blooms when they are ready and that Leo will bloom in his time. Finally, Leo does bloom and has an abundance of talents that matches and/or exceed the other cubs. Mrs. Munn had each of them think about how they had bloomed during their year at Kindergarten and write it on their flower. Most were pretty typical (although still special) - read, spell words, etc. Cole wrote that he had bloomed by being able to talk! This was his first year in a regular ed classroom and for the first time he was able to say what he wanted to say, be understood by teachers and other kids, and received minimal services for his speech. We all knew he had made wonderful progress and were so proud of all his efforts, and Cole apparently realized how far he had come too! Reading and math are great, but nothing can beat that award! We are so proud of you and love you so Cole!
(May 2010)
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