Ben was not coherent today. It was quite opposite of how he was Friday. He had his head down on the table and wouldn't respond to any questions. I felt bad for him and wanted to help him. But he wanted to be left alone. He ended up getting picked up from school early for not feeling good. Poor guy.

We continued working with simplifying expressions, today working more with the distributive property. We started with the problem x(-2-0.5y) and the goal was to simplify. We reviewed the distributive property in how the x is to be multiplied to every term on the inside of the parenthesis (we pretended the x was a fire hose spraying all the inside terms). Aiden asked great questions to clarify: do we multiply the x to the -0.5 AND the y or just once? I explained the answer is just once, since when we multiply the x to the term -0.5y, that the -0.5 and y are already being multiplied. So we would result in -0.5xy. Next we tried a problem in two different ways. -1/3(2-3x+3). First I had Aiden distribute the -1/3 to all terms and then simplify. Then I had Aiden combine like terms in the parenthesis first, and then distribute the -1/3. He got the same result both ways. We decided we liked the 2nd approach better, since it followed the order of operations.

Today Carson and I did a test review. We focused more on word problems today. Carson read out loud scenarios like "If large candles sell for $3, small candles sell for $2, and Sam sells 17 candles for $46, how much does each candle cost?" Carson set up the equation 3L+2s=46 and L+S=17. He used elimination to solve them. We reviewed the other solving types like substitution and graphing as well.

Today Matthew and I met on Teams. We discussed a method of solving quadratic equations called Completing the Square. We began by reviewing the steps. I gave an example and had Matthew read the steps aloud as I worked through them. Then, I had Matthew try a problem while I read the steps out loud. Then Matthew tried a problem without looking at the steps. We both agreed that this process is complicated and would not be ideal to solve quadratics where factoring is possible. After a few problems, Matthew started to pick up the process without having to look at previous examples for reference.

Richard was seen in his room for a 45 minute treatment session today. Focus of treatment was on improving fine motor skills (hand strength, grip strength, dexterity and manipulation), visual motor integration, ocular motor skills, and graphomotor skills/keyboarding as an alternate means to written communication. Continued with visual scanning, visual figure ground, visual discrimination and graphomotor development with I Spy book. Richard was asked to write objects he needed to find hidden in picture. Today he chose a new picture and was able to write well although at a slow pace when provided with half highlighted lines and verbal cues for some formations. Today we reviewed the formations of the cursive letters he was previously instructed on. Taught him how the print and cursive letters are similiar yet different in formation for the groups containing "c, o , a, d, g, and q". Richard has a tendency to form these letters incorrectly in print because of an incorrect motor memory pattern. He is learning the correct way to form these letters in cursive and the anecdotes (stories) and visual cues (island) seem to help learn and retain the way to write these particular letters in cursive. Good session.

Richard was seen in his room for a 45 minute treatment session today. Focus of treatment was on improving fine motor skills (hand strength, grip strength, dexterity and manipulation), visual motor integration, ocular motor skills, and graphomotor skills/keyboarding as an alternate means to written communication. Began session using I Spy book to work on visual scanning, visual discrimination and visual figure ground. Had Richard write each item he needed to find in picture to incorporate graphomotor development into activity. He did best with print when provided with half-highlighted lines which provide visual cues for sizing of the letters. His sizing improved with this visual cue. Richard required verbal cues for formation of some of his letters. Lastly, we did a cursive review. Richard was able to recall the cursive letters "i, u, w, t, and a". He needed cues or full assistance to recall the letters "s, r, j, y, p, c, o, d, g, and q". We will keep working on these skils so they become a stronger motor memory for Richard.

Richard was seen in his room for a 45 minute treatment session today. Focus of treatment was on improving fine motor skills (hand strength, grip strength, dexterity and manipulation), visual motor integration, ocular motor skills, and graphomotor skills/keyboarding as an alternate means to written communication. Richard seen today after the holiday break. He was talkative and task avoiding when in room after recess. Worked on ocular motor development with visual scanning, visual figure ground and visual discrimination work. Continued working on keybaording as an alternative to written communication via Typing.com.

Luke was seen in his room for a 45 minute occupational therapy treatment session. Focus of treatment was on improving his bilateral integration/hand usage, fine motor development, graphomotor skills, postural control and sensory processing/organization for improved general performance in various environments. Today we began therapy with a Zones of Regulation activity. Luke was given a red, blue, yellow and green marker. Each color representing a different zone. Luke was given a blank piece of paper with 4" by 4" inch squares to draw in. He was then told different scenarios and was to asked to draw a facial expression in the square with the coordinating color to represent how he felt and which zone he was in. For example, the first scenario was "Mom is away" so Luke drew a sad face in blue in a box. Another example was "Your sister is in your room without asking permission" Luke drew a very angry red face. Third scenario was "you are fishing with Grandpa", Like drew a happy green face. Luke demonstrates a good understanding of the zones and is becoming better able to express his emotions although needs work on using strategies to calm self. Good session.

Luke was seen in his room for a 45 minute occupational therapy treatment session. Focus of treatment was on improving his bilateral integration/hand usage, fine motor development, graphomotor skills, postural control and sensory processing/organization for improved general performance in various environments. Luke needed a break upon therapist's arrival so he was given three minutes and a visual timer to know when his time was up. Once his break was over he was able to participate in activities. We continued to work on visual scanning, visual figure ground and visual discrimination via the I Spy book activity. Luke had trouble with impulse control today and could not stick with looking at one scene. He was quick to turn page when he was unable to quickly locate items he was visually searching for. He seemed tired during today's session.

Luke was seen in his room for a 45 minute occupational therapy treatment session. Focus of treatment was on improving his bilateral integration/hand usage, fine motor development, graphomotor skills, postural control and sensory processing/organization for improved general performance in various environments. Luke was happy and in good spirits today. Began session with visual discrimination/figure ground and visual scanning to find the hidden objects within the pictures. Luke was able to find approximately 75% of the hidden items without assistance. He enjoyed this activity and wanted to do more. Continued treatment with focus on listening skills and whole body listening. We are working on improving Luke's ability to follow multiple steps directions, stay on task, and teaching Luke how to use his whole body to listen. He participated in a Listening Skills worksheet. He was able to follow 3/5 two step directions without having to repeat. For 2/5 of the two step directions the directions needed to be repeated. We will continue to work on regulation, impulse control and listening skills in therapy. Glad to be back working with Luke.