The Adventures of Jadon and Kalina: Jadon

Jadon had a super sixth grade year at Woodmoor. His homeroom and language arts teacher was Mrs. Duncan-Sembroski. His math teacher was Mr. Vander Hijde. He had Mrs. Peterson for health, science and social studies. Masumi was his nurse, and so much more, again. This team of teachers was phenomenal. We can’t say enough good things about them individually or collectively.

Some of Jadon’s favorite things in each class were:

Language Art

Reader’s Theater - skits and plays
Writing about Camp Korey – His teacher had to ask him to stop writing about Camp Korey.

Math

Super Bowl Project - planning a trip to the Super Bowl
Dream Bedroom Project - designing a dream bedroom
Both these projects had a budget and require fairly extensive research. He also had to make presentations for each. He enjoyed getting into the details of things.

Science

Robots- teams had to construct and program a LEGO robot
Balloon Launch - teams of students constructed balloons and launched them
Museum of Flight Mission to Mars Field Trip – Each student had an assigned task as they went on their Mars Mission. The class had to learn to work together to have a successful mission.

Social Studies

Mapping project that involved creating an island and naming all the landmarks and features – Jadon’s island and features all had names having to do with skeletal dysplasia. He was very creative.

In general, Jadon enjoyed being on the decorating committee, which included decorating other student’s desks for his or her birthday. He continued to like music and PE. He liked making new friends. He liked participating in the Dolphin Dash, a PTSA fundraiser, with his grade and with Kalina. He liked the sixth grade class parties.

Band was, of course, another favorite. Jadon got to play a variety of instruments this year and he loved that! Timpani are his favorite (they are bigger than him).

There were also a fair share of life lessons learned. He learned about working in groups. He discovered what he liked about that and what he did not like so much. He learned that his friends are now big enough to help him get up if he falls. He learned a little about what it is like to live in Uganda through the Sister Schools program and was eager to contribute to that. He learned what it means to have a growth mind set and how to better have one.

I won’t go into details, but Jadon transitioned from having an IEP to having a 504 plan. Kind of a big deal.

I was not present in the sixth grade classrooms helping this year but I still found ways to get involved. I helped with the sixth grade book sale and some other fundraisers. I was also able to help with planning the sixth grade party and creating the sixth grade legacy gift.

Jadon is excited about the transition to junior high. We are again blessed in that Masumi will be going to school with him again next year. This will make their ninth year together. They make quite a team!