[House] Kelly, the homework, and everything

[Ruth Anne]

Hola Maestra Almaguer,

First, I know that Kelly is having some attention challenges in class. 
We strongly suspect that Kelly has some form of ADD. However, to start 
the assessment process, the parents and her current teacher need to 
completely fill out a questionnaire. Please let me know when you will 
have some time to complete this questionaire.

I've noticed that Kelly's active attention capacity has seemed to 
decrease since the beginning of the school year, as her class schedule 
now includes less physical activity and play. From experience, I know 
that Kelly often can pay better attention if she is allowed to draw, 
doodle, or play with an object. (As an example, at church, I don't 
require that she be still, but that she be quiet and not distract 
others. She is able to draw or play quietly with small toys. She knows 
the words of the liturgy as well as the pastor. It was the same at 
library storytime; she'd play with puzzles instead of paying eye 
attention, but still would repeat the story afterward and sing all the 
songs.) Is there any kind of quiet, maniuplative item (fidget) we 
could give her, perhaps to be kept in a pocket, for class time?

Secondly, homework has become a 1-2 HOUR per afternoon ordeal. 4 pages 
of writing per week seems to be too much for Kelly. It is visibly more 
writing homework than her twin sister gets (and this will probably be 
one of the few comparisons I make between the girls), and she notices. 
Also, it has turned storytelling and drawing, activites she has 
enjoyed, into cursory activities, or activities she avoids, since she 
knows that they will be followed by writing. I expect that she will be 
able to do 2-3 pages of writing during the week, and she will complete 
the rest on the weekend if she must. Do you have any way we can make 
writing a more enjoyable activity? I already give her play breaks 
after telling the story, and between writing every 1-2 sentences.

There is good academic news in other subjects. She is quick to grasp 
mathematical concepts, and the math homework pages are often completed 
by Tuesday. For Spanish, she is asking to play the Spanish flash cards 
on my phone, and asks more frequently what the Spanish words are for 
an object, phrase, or concept.

I am very open to having an appointment to discuss these concerns in 
person. You can contact me by email, or call me on my cell at 
650-576-3199.

Regards,
--Ruth Anne Ladue