Jaecob has worked so hard!

Well we are into the 4th week of the school year and I am finally getting back into a routine. I wanted to write a post about Jaec, as I am very proud of him and the work he did over the holidays and so far this year.

The School Holidays weren’t all swimming and bike riding for Jaec. I have posted previously about Jaec’s learning difficulties and last year was a very tough year, as he started on Level 1 readers (pretty much a non reader) and finished the year on Level 1 readers. 

We appreciate that Jaec may struggle with certain academic things throughout his life. You can always use a calculator or google certain things, but reading is such an integral part of our lives.

Jaecob has been seeing a Speech Pathologist for the last 3 years and Lara is a fantastic educator. Her Sister and Mother are both Educators in their own right, with her Mother, Kay being a very well respected and accredited Learning Support Teacher.

When we found out that Jaec had not progressed with his reading, we asked Lara for guidance in regards to a Tutor. We had purchased Understanding Minds by Craig Wright and tried various other techniques, but we hadn’t made many inroads. Lara said that she would ask her mum, but as she was already extremely busy, don’t hold our breath.

Kay said yes.

Jaec went saw Kay 3-4 times a week, every week for the entire school holidays. He enjoyed it so much, that every morning, he would ask. “Am I going to Kay’s today”. 

Can he read a book by himself now… not quite, but he is enjoying reading now, he is trying to read Level 4 books (and is giving it a real good go!). He knows so many more words and he has even started to write a book! He reads his book to his brothers and sister and is so proud. Every day he comes home, he can’t wait to show us.

Here are some of the pages of his book “The Story of the Trashies” (About his Trash Pack collection, including some he made up himself).

There are 3 main things that Jaec (a lot of kids I s’pose) struggle with. 

Engagement, Confidence and Holding their attention.

Jaecob is now so confident and happy when it comes to reading and it shows that kids need different ways to engage and hold their attention. It comes down to who is teaching them. 

I organised a meeting with the school the last week of the school holidays, with his new teacher, Learning Support, Kay and I. We told them about the techniques and about his book. Later that evening, I received this email which his teacher asked me to read to Jaecob - 

Dear Jaecob!

Wow! I was so impressed when your Dad showed me the book you wrote and illustrated. I cannot believe that I will have an author in my classroom. You must feel so proud of yourself for having worked so hard over the holidays. I would like to ask you a special favour. I would like, if you feel comfortable, for you to bring your published books to class. You see, I have always encouraged my class to publish their own books. How lucky am I that I am getting a child that has already done this??? I know that once we show the other children your marvelous work, it will inspire them to do the same.

I have a special bear that lives in our classroom. Her name is Olivia Rose. Every week, I choose a hard worker to take her home for the whole week. I send her home with her own special scrapbook, where you may record all your fabulous adventures. I told Olivia Rose about all your hard work and she is very keen to go home with you during our first week of school as a way of thanking you for all your efforts. What do you think about that???

I look forward to seeing you on Thursday for book collection day. I hope you enjoy the rest of your holidays and I cannot wait to hear about all of your adventures. Keep up the great work!

from Mrs Juricic :)

I cried the first 3 times I read this. I know how hard Jaec has been trying and how far he has come. Even when I read it to him, and watched his smile grow bigger and bigger, I teared up.

He is now really enjoying school. He still sees Kay twice a week, Mrs Juricic sends me multiple emails every week saying how well he is going (he even won the “Student of the Week” award this week!).

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