Nicholas began with his math homework, which I copied out of his Go Math workbook (p. 195). He is working on Common Core Standard CC1MD.4 - to represent and interpret data. This particular assignment tasked Nicholas with reading picture graphs. Nicholas did well interpreting the quantity of figures represented in the graph provided and got all the answers correct. He then wrote a number sentence to represent the problem numerically. Next, we looked at this week's spelling words. Nicholas is more challenged when asked to sound out and spell words, so we are continuing to work on developing his phonemic awareness. I find that Nicholas responds well when the words are put to a tune so he can sing the letters in his head. More frequent breaks also help minimize his frustration. We worked on five of the eight words on the list, but Nicholas required a lot of prompts to enable him to stay focused and continue to make an effort. I had him write the words as he was spelling them and also provided him with a model to facilitate his acquisition of skills. Nicholas reversed the 'b' and d' letters when writing the word ‘don't,’ but he appears to have successfully mastered the apostrophe before the letter t and I explained that the word is a contraction for do not, using visual techniques to better illustrate it for him. This week's spelling words are as follows: ‘over,’ ‘ride,’ ‘don't,’ ‘said,’ ‘that,’ ‘one,’ ‘with,’ and ‘five.’ We will work on the words: ‘said,’ ‘that,’ and ‘with,’ on Wednesday. Nicholas’s mother said she would try to review the 5 words we worked on today as well, in efforts to consolidate gains, when she arrived to pick him up.