Be Yourself : Scrapbook Layout

AE_BeYourself_web
Click to view larger.

Today I wanted to share a layout with you that has been sitting on my table for weeks.

Actually it's the photo with the ruler ribbon that has been on my table for weeks. Originally I planned to do a second page with a divided page protector (for slides) and I had been collecting bits of scrapbook supplies and other pieces of life I had come across recently to do a layout celebrating Simon right now.

And then yesterday we had Simon's annual IEP meeting at school. An IEP is an Individualized Education Program. Lots of kids have them for a variety of different reasons who meet certain criteria for special education. Each year we meet with a group of people at his school, including teachers and his aide, to assess his progress, see where he's at with his goals for this year, and set new goals for next year.

He's got a variety of different goals written into his IEP - everything from asking for help, to weekly time with a speech therapist, to encouraging more social time with kids at recess, to specific goals for reading comprehension, writing, math, etc. It's always interesting to go in and chat with everyone and see how he's doing at school vs. what's happening at home. We catch up on conversations we've had on the phone or email and just generally talk about how he's doing in lots of different areas of development. 

It was a good meeting.

One of my favorite parts of the meeting was hearing his second grade teacher & his aide talk about how hard he has been working.

For this layout I ended up writing a note to Simon from Chris and I telling him how proud we are of him and the work he is doing in school. I consciously decided to keep this note focused on the positive parts of the meeting. There's lots of areas where he's facing challenges; areas where we are all working to help him navigate the best possible route, and to make better choices (wanting to be first in line all the time, making his mean face to other kids & other social issues, being open to new seats in different situations, general attitude).

The point is, there's lots to celebrate about Simon every single day. And we do.

He is awesome.

AE_BeYourself_pg2

Here's a close-up on that second page with the journaling. I used some of the very cute Dear Lizzy rub ons on top of an American Crafts chipboard tag to create the main accent.

JOURNALING :

My dear Simon, I wanted to take some time today to let you know that Daddy & I are very proud of you. We had a meeting with your teachers yesterday and they had such great things to say about how hard you are working in class. Lately when I ask you “What was your favorite part about school today?” you reply, “Working.” From what they tell us, you have been really trying hard. They also have lots of praise for your lovely, meticulous handwriting. Finding a way to enjoy your work, whatever sort of work you are doing, is an important part of growing up. At home you have also been working really hard on your homework and reading as well. It’s awesome to see you “connecting the dots” in math and spelling and starting to enjoy some chapter books. We have been proud of the ways you transition between homework, play, and back to homework again if needed. Your teachers said you are definitely ready for third grade! We are all going to do our best to help you enjoy and thrive in your classroom next year.
Keep up the great work Simon! Love, Mom & Dad


SUPPLIES
PATTERN PAPER :
Basic Grey
from the Max & Whiskers collection
RUB ON : Dear Lizzy
CHIPBOARD TAG : American Crafts
RULER RIBBON : Unknown
LETTER STICKERS : Basic Grey

Related Posts

Sign in or sign up to comment.

53 thoughts

  1. Mary C. Anderson says…
    04/10/2010

    Your page is awesome and I love that you added A letter to your son in it.
    Mary

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. kerith says…
    04/10/2010

    Love this layout! My eyes must be playing tricks on me though, as it looks to me like the tag is punched out of the patterned paper, not added on top of it. I keep trying to see it as chipboard added, but my eyes won't let me, no matter how long I stare at it. It really gives it that "Wow, how did she do that?" quality.
    As always, thanks for sharing. :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Karen G says…
    04/15/2010

    Your post, layout, and letter to Simon really touch me and all sounds very familiar. While the annual IEP meeting was completed a couple of months ago, we're gearing up for the transition meeting next month as my son's elementary are split into two campuses and third grade is in a whole other location next year. "Be Yourself" is such a wonderful concept to teach all of our children, but I think even more so for our kidlets who are a bit different. My son has been recognizing that he's different this year and it has been challenging for him. We, of course, never want him to think of himself as less, but that being himself is a really good thing. Thanks for sharing how you celebrate Simon's triumphs and challenges in life! :>

    Reply 0 Replies