May 26 2009 Notes

What we did today:
- Bank (where Raffi deposited money for me)
- Carwash
- Bowling
- Reading, Writing, Math, Palmtop
Math:
- Had extreme difficulty today counting to 20 (filling the blanks)
- However matching and "read, count, write" excercise were excellent
- DIfficulty too counting by 5's

Language:
- He is really capable of reading what he is going to do today (he missed a few words only),. Not only does he read it but he also comprehends the basic idea withheld in the sentences (what he is doign today, what he is not doing today)
- Had some difficulty writing his name today (rancisco)
- His address is a lot more legible now and he is keeping within the lines! However, he still has to work on "Richmond"

Questions and other notes:
- I anm having a hard time thinking of excercises for him to do for math, expecially money related excercises, ideas anyone?

- I've been doing conversations with Raffi using the Palmtop and practicing what he will say when he goes to his job, but I still am not confident that this is possibly the best way to practice Raffi's Palmtop skills, are there any other ways I can work with Raffi with the Palmtop?

- There are times when Raffi is perplexed with a certain activity we are doing (like fill in the blank with the correct sequential number) however what I have realized is it is not that he doesn't understand the excercise, it's because he is NOT listening. This is really frustrating at times but at least he admits he isn't listening. However I think we should focus on him being more respectful and attentive.

May 5 and 12 2009 Notes

Here are some notes I have on Raffi when I was working with him in reading, math and writing:

Math:
We have finished up to number 3 of Numbers and Counting (NC)
He does an excellent job with NC 2 where he can read the word and the number of that said word there are (ex. apples [image of 5 apples]).

Reading:
He can read and understand common words (apple, sun, circle, etc) but I don't think he can fully understand when I write the activity down for him to read (how many, match me, etc)
Also, he had difficulty with reading and comprehending questions related to work (Where are we going? golf course or St. Joes)

Writing:
When writing lines that are new to him or he hasn't memorized, his writing will be very messy and inconsistent. However, as he begins to practice the line (ex. address) more, he does get better.
He is going back to old spelling mistakes that I thought we already solved (Burnswck, Franisco, Rchmnd)
Letters and numbers he has difficulty with: p, 5, 6, e, R, d, o, h

Also there are some questions I have regarding teaching methods and Raffi that I hold can be answered.
1) Does any one have any recommendations on how to do the 1 and 2 of Money in the Education Plan (especially 2)?
2) Also, NC 4?
3) T. Chiqui I just got your e-mail on the goals for the Palmtop, can anyone show me ways I can train Raffi with the Palmtop more with because right now I'm just letting him use it at work.