Second Grade Pictures

My daughter's school pictures came home last month. I got out my second grade picture to share with her. It made me reflect on the differences in us and in our second grade experiences.

1976 - Me

2005 - Sabi

Teachers: As I have mentioned before, Sabi has a great teacher. I don't really remember how my teacher was. My mom has told me though that my teacher thought something was wrong with me becasue I coudn't decode. (I couldn't say take words apart by their letter sounds. ie: I coudn't see the word cat and say c-a-t) I was tested by the psychologist at the school and she informed my mom that I not only could read but that I could read very well. Did it really matter that I didn't know letter sounds in isolation when I was a good reader?

Uniforms: Thank goodness for uniforms. Did you really check out that ugly sweater/shirt I was wearing? It was a one piece 70's creation! I love the way my daughter and all kids look in their uniforms. My daughter argues with me about not wearing a uniform to school when we are shopping but when it comes to casual Fridays at school she always wants to wear her uniform even though she doesn't have to!

Grades: Sabi has received very good grades. She is working above grade level in several areas. The area that she needs to improve upon is penmanship. Me? I did the bare minimum. I was an underacheiver at the time. I was so underachieveing that my 3rd grade teacher told my mom not to expect too much from me in the future. (But that's another story...)

Teeth: Sabi has thus far lost only 1 tooth! From my messed up looking teeth, I must have lost several that year and the year before.

Language: I spoke English. I knew a little bit of Spanish but not anywhere enough to be able to hold down a conversation with anyone. Sabi on the other hand is quite bilingual. She is in a dual immersion Spanish program at her school. The majority of the academic day is held in Spanish. She is fluent in both oral and written Spanish. Hooray!