Start of School 2022

Since we are just finishing up the first quarter of school today I guess my "start of school" post should get done.

Corban started the 2nd grade and has the same teacher that Gabriel had in 2nd grade.  We LOVE Mrs. Carr.  She is the perfect combination of discipline and grace.  Gabriel thrived under her structure and patience and we were so happy that she could teach Corban this year.

His class lost a couple students this year, so there are only 6 of them as of now.  Due to that as well as a huge kindergarten and 1st grade group, Corban's class had their lunch and recess times moved to match that of 3rd and 4th grade.  We weren't sure what would happen with the boys having recess at the same time, but they actually both seem to do their own thing and play with other friends most days (which is good -- they see each other and play together plenty at home)

We asked Corban if he wanted to play a sport this fall and he said "no".  The boy his age across the street is playing soccer and his mom is coaching.  They asked him to join them and he thought about it for a few days, but then declined that as well.

Another boy at church a little younger then him started Cub Scouts this fall and his mom was telling me about it.  Corban heard us talking and got curious and got so incredibly excited to try it himself.  The pack is run by another couple from our church, so Corban is now a Wolf in Pack #44.

In addition to Cub Scouts he also is still taking piano lessons on Tuesday afternoons.

Gabriel started 4th grade and his teacher is Mrs. Mashburn.  She has a very different teaching style and structure than he has had the past couple years, but I like that she is really encouraging them to take responsibility and keeping them accountable to do little, important things.  For example, Gabriel actually failed his second spelling test of the year (the class has two spelling groups and he's in the advanced one).  He's never failed anything, but she took off points if she couldn't read his handwriting (when he rushes you can barely read it and when he takes him time it looks great).  She also takes off points when there is no space left between words because you can't tell what it's supposed to say.  In addition to that, they go over their spelling words on Monday and then they don't spend any more time on them in class until the test on Friday (there isn't even spelling homework every night). She also gives them their homework for the week on Monday and just expects it all to come back on Friday.

Gabriel actually told me last week that school is seeming more stressful this year, and I can understand why he would say that because this is the first year that everything wasn't "easy" for him.  We have had to go over his spelling words with him a couple nights a week (something I have never done with him before because the words were not a challenge for him).  He's also one of 4 other kids in his class doing 5th grade math this year.  He hasn't seemed to have a problem with it, but he's certainly not breezing through it and getting a 100 on everything.

Besides the academic part though, Gabriel has some really good friends this year that he made last year. There is a really energetic and creative group of boys in his class and he really enjoys each of them for different reasons, and has two boys that he would call his "best friends."

In addition to school he is still taking violin lessons once a week (and was so excited to get a bigger violin a couple weeks ago).  He is also playing Christiansburg Rec baseball and has loved having Taylor help out with the coaching some.