Last week at LIST was a week of ups and downs. Another high school student, a sister to a student attending LIST, started her volunteer hours with us. In the past, we have had high school students volunteer with us to fulfill their high school service requirements, but this is the first year we have had students associated with LIST in one way or another do their hours with us! It only adds to the community feeling that has been developing at LIST the past several years and we are very excited to have these students working with us.
The tough part of the week came while working with the second grader who is working at a kindergarten level. I have blogged about her before, and unfortunately, the process of helping her learn to read is still a struggle. I am waiting for that first breakthrough that she is retaining the information we are working on, but so far, that breakthrough has not come. This struggle, however, is a part of teaching and it is only persistence that will help us to get there.
On another note, however, a first grade boy, whom I have blogged about in the past, is making great progress. He came to us part way through the year last year (he was then in first grade), and after working with him the first session, it was clear that he was far below grade level. While I could work to start his reading foundation, he was far enough behind that being retained would be necessary. With much work from his parents at home, and with the work at LIST, that foundation began. This year, once again being in first grade, he is learning to read, and can do the work with no problem! I am so proud of this student because he did not give up on learning, he worked hard at LIST and at home to build the foundation he lacked before, and now he is loving learning and being able to keep up with his class. He is so excited about what he is learning and by the fact that he now understands it, that it makes me excited for him! This makes the struggles all worth it!
