April has been a pretty busy month in our household.  Bram started human growth hormone on April 3rd.  He is dealing very well with the daily shot.  He was a little nervous at first but soon realized that the shot doesn't hurt.  I measured him before he started the hormone and then measured him again about three weeks later.  I couldn't believe my eyes.  Bram had grown a little over a quarter of an inch in just under three weeks.  He already needs new pants and new shoes.  The nurse suggested that we buy sandals until the initial growth spurt is over.  Apparently, his feet will probably grow two or three sizes rather quickly.  My little man is growing!

Bram and I are both looking forward to the rapidly approaching summer months.  We are both ready for the school year to be over.  I was hoping to go visit my brother in Georgia this summer; however, it looks like we may need to postpone the visit.  I'll be spending the summer getting Bram ready for 1st grade.  While I work with Bram every summer, this summer will probably require more intensive tutoring.  You see, Bram's kindergarten teacher is going to recommend that he repeat kindergarten.  I am going to oppose her recommendation, for I really don't think retention will serve Bram.  Nor do I think it is warranted.  Bram is doing really well in school.  He is reading independently.  He can also identify numerals from 0 to 100 (although he does struggle some with the teens still - but then don't we all?  ;^).  He writes his name - although his print does need a good deal of work.  (Bram was right-handed before the tumor but, due to muscle weakness in his right side, he had to switch to his left hand after the surgery.)

I have examined the Kindergarten objectives and expectations set by the state of Texas, and it looks to me like Bram has met them; however, Bram's school has set higher standards.  His teacher feels Bram is struggling with the more difficult math concepts and states that he needs one-on-one attention to do the work.  She is also not satisfied with his sight word progress.  The state of Texas says that Bram should be able to identify a minimum of 25 sight words.  Bram can identify over 60 sight words.  He consistently identifies 50 of the 56 sight words his school has set as their standard.

Bram's struggles stem from slow processing, attention/focus difficulties, and possibly recall issues - all likely the result of radiation.  Bram is also showing possible signs of dyslexia; however, he can't be properly evaluated for dyslexia until the age of 7.  I have explained to the school administrators that Bram's difficulties will not be solved by retention, that they need to be addressed with accommodations next year.  I am hoping to add content mastery to his education plan so that Bram can receive one-on-one attention in math - when needed.  I have also pointed out that while sight word and numeral recognition is important, Bram needs to be given a little extra time to recognize the number or word being tested - due to his slower processing speed.  Despite these learning challenges, intelligence tests placed Bram in the average range, even above average in some areas.  I will be addressing all my concerns in Bram's end-of-the-year ARD.  I fully expect Bram to move on to first grade next year.

While I plan on insisting that Bram be promoted to first grade, I recognize that Bram needs some one-on-one instruction to get him ready for next year.  Consequently, we're going to stay home this summer and work on the skills he will need next year.  We'll also do plenty of fun things this summer; they'll just be closer to home.  We'll take weekend trips instead of one long vacation.  I plan on enrolling Bram in swim classes this summer, so a trip to Galveston is definitely on my short trip list for the summer.  I'd also like to take him to Sea World in San Antonio and maybe visit the Alamo and the San Antonio Children's Museum again.  

Cute anecdote alert.  Bram went on his first field trip this week.  I took a day off from work and attended as well.  All three kindergarten classes went to the Children's Museum in Commerce.  The kids really enjoyed the trip.  Bram cracked me up while we were there.  He volunteered for a demonstration that involved a homemade air cannon (made from a large plastic garbage can) and styrofoam cups atop the heads of the kids).  As Bram was walking toward his spot, the docent tapped his head with the stack of styrofoam cups.  Bram, without missing a beat, said, "Hey.  Don't you know I'm very fragile???".  I laughed out loud.  "Fragile" is not a word I ever use to describe Bram, so I'm guessing he picked this word up from his kindergarten teacher.  I suspect she uses the word when the other students get too rough, and Bram has a genuine knack for picking up impressive vocabulary (let's not forget that he's only five).  He routinely makes people laugh with the words he uses (uses correctly, might I add).  Vocabulary was one of the intelligence areas where he scored in the high range.  Isn't it a shame they don't test comedic timing?  :o)

Well, that's about it for this installment of Bram's blog.  I hope everyone is having a wonderful 2012.  I will be sure to update again this summer.  Bram's next MRI is in July, so be sure to check back during that month.  We could definitely use your thoughts and prayers - as always.  And as always, they are greatly appreciated.