Assignment

10 YEARS OLD---Katherine has been having stomach pains for the past month, and visits to the doctor have confirmed that she has a small ulcer. The doctor points out that this is not uncommon in school age children, and is probably due to an infection rather than stress. Katherine is on medication, and has been put on a bland diet.

You and your partner still occasionally have an argument once in a while that the kids happen to overhear, even though you have agreed with him to avoid arguing in front of the kids. Later, one of you talks to the kids about arguing - you say it's a normal thing for people to have arguments but then they need to apologize and make up. Katherine's fifth grade class is just about to leave on the fifth grade science camp trip (a week spent in cabins in the mountains). The fifth grade teachers have been preparing the kids for weeks, alternating with each other in the teaching of science units on ecology, astronomy, geology, botany and zoology. The kids are also learning all of the rules of camp (they will have to keep their cabin clean, wash dishes, turn the lights out at 9, etc). This is Katherine's first extended stay away from home. Katherine is really enthusiastic about the science topics and talks a lot about them at home. It seems as though the prospect of actually doing hands-on science is already enhancing her interest in and knowledge about the topics. You figure the whole trip will be a good life-experience as well as a good academic experience.

Katherine has really become resistant to colds in the past year or so, thankfully, so you figure she has finally built up a lot of strong immunities. There is a bad flu going around, but Katherine has managed to avoid it, even though her sister had a moderate case of fever, body aches and sore throat.

Toward the end of 5th grade, the school begins to transition the kids to middle school. This includes registering for 6th grade classes, a trip to the middle school to meet the 6th grade core teachers (English & Social Studies combined classes), and a tour of the school. Katherine is very excited about the transition. For her 11th birthday, Katherine asks for the latest smartphone. In order not to bust your budget, you go with a low- to mid-range-priced smartphone.

Over the summer, Katherine wants to earn more money than the usual weekly allowance because she wants to save for a new scooter. You come up with a list of major chores that she can work on during the summer, such as pruning the bushes, washing the car, painting the fence, etc, and agree to pay her the prevailing minimum wage. You think this will be a good experience (if she will stick with it).

Katherine is talking a lot during the early part of the summer about going to 6th grade. There are several urban legends about what happens to 6th graders. Katherine is afraid she'll be forced to drink toilet water or smoke cigarettes in the bathroom. You laugh because there were very similar legends when you were in middle school! You reassure Katherine that none of these things will happen.

Some highlights of the 5th grade report card (the one that is being sent on to middle school with Katherine's portfolio of writing samples, and standardized test scores) were as follows:

"Demonstrates strength" in the areas of mathematical problem solving, understanding of data, number concepts, graphical applications, and arithmetic computation.

"Requires additional support" in the area of music.

Consistently works cooperatively in groups, consistently respects rights and property of others, and consistently demonstrates appropriate peer social interaction.

"Appropriate for grade level" in the area of art.

"Appropriate for grade level" in the areas of speaking and listening and in content knowledge of social studies and science.

"Demonstrates strength" in all areas of reading, and in spelling and "appropriate for grade level" in writing.

Consistently works independently, listens attentively, and follows directions and classroom rules.

In the comments section the teacher wrote: Occasionally Katherine gets upset during stressful situations inside or outside the classroom, but usually is able to bounce back quickly

11 YEARS OLD

Even though it is still the middle of summer, you shop for school supplies and clothes. Katherine seems to be obsessed with looking cool when 7th grade starts in the fall.

12 YEARS OLD----Katherine has one friend who moved into the area from out of state and lives with her grandmother. She seems to have been in some kind of trouble or may have come from a troubled home. A neighbor (the mother of a boy who goes to Katherine's school) calls you angrily to tell you that Katherine and her friend were trampling the flowers in her front yard. You make Katherine do extra chores and save her extra allowance for several weeks to pay some recompense for the flowers.

Katherine's oral reading and decoding skills are above grade level, and her reading comprehension is about at grade level. She is a pretty good speller, but isn't much of an inspired writer at this point. Katherine can type now, thanks to a 6th grade keyboarding class, so you help with writing assignments at home. You also look for an area of interest to her and suggest that Katherine subscribe to a magazine or check out books on the subject.

Katherine is taking a trimester of drama in 7th grade as part of a rotation through the fine arts (art/drama/dance). The end of trimester play was pretty good, and Katherine, who is not much of a performer, seemed to throw herself into her small role. You notice that many of the kids were too shy to look at the audience as they spoke, but instead tended to look at each other for comfort (or cues!).

Katherine began to argue with you and your partner more in 7th grade. She argues mostly about clothes, bedtime, and chores, but otherwise you get along pretty well. One thing that bothers your partner is Katherine's attempts to play him off against you. You renegotiate household rules more with Katherine than you used to, and make reasonable concessions, such as a later bedtime in exchange for more chores.

After the 7th grade school year ended, Katherine had big plans to hang out with her best friend and listen to their collections of songs. But this grew boring after a couple of weeks.

Katherine spends a lot of time during the summer hanging out at the mall or the movies with some friends. She needs money for these outings, so in addition to regular chores, you have her do some much-needed things around your place for extra money.

Katherine occasionally gets bored over the summer, and doesn't initially seem to like any of your suggestions about what to do, but you notice she starts in on some of them later as if it was her own idea. She usually is anxious to show you the latest results on her project when you come home from work. You have a little lighter work schedule over the summer, and are able to take Katherine and her sister out to the movies or for dessert on some weeknights. You also plan some interesting outings and a couple of 3-day weekends, as well as a short family vacation relaxing at the beach.

Katherine was really anxious for summer to begin, and is having fun, but as soon as the school supplies are in the store, she wants to get her 8th grade notebook, etc. You realize the choice of notebook and the decoration of it with photos and sayings is part of her identity.

You got Katherine's 7th grade report card early in the summer. Some highlights of the report card:

She listens attentively, follows directions, and follows school rules.

Her word reading, spelling and writing skills are strong.

Katherine consistently contributes to cooperative group activities and respects the rights and possessions of others, has consistently appropriate social interaction with peers, and even seems to be a kind of peer leader.

She is quite effective at time management, and highly consistent in working independently in the classroom and on homework. She has almost no problems completing assignments and turning them in on time.

Katherine took art in 7th grade as an option, and got an A.

She got B's in 7th grade English, Social Studies and Spanish. The teacher thought she could do better with more studying.

She got an A in the gifted and talented math class and in science. The math and science teachers both wrote notes indicating they thought Katherine should be given extra enrichment in these areas. They recommended 8th grade Honors math, which was basically high school geometry, and an after school science club in 8th grade. Katherine already knows about these options and is interested.

13 YEARS OLD

Katherine is going to turn 14 in 2 months and will start high school in 3 months. You know high school biology might be a bit of a challenge. You go on some nature hikes, and get an inexpensive used microscope to look at pond water, leaves and other stuff you and the kids collect, in an attempt to increase her interest in the subject.

Katherine recently said that you are more supportive and approving of her than the average parent. She adds "and you're about average in strictness compared to other parents."

14 YEARS OLD

Katherine's 30-year-old aunt has moved into the area from out of state and wants to reconnect after not seeing Katherine for 5 years. The aunt is unmarried and wants to hang out with Katherine and play her favorite sport, tennis, with Katherine. Katherine loved the aunt 5 years ago, and does hang out with her and play some tennis, but doesn't seem ready to form a closer relationship.

Over the summer, Katherine has been less cooperative with your requests and is spending more and more time with friends. Sometimes you are able to shuttle Katherine and her friends around, but it isn't always possible for either parent to monitor Katherine because of your jobs. You let her go, but require that she always be reachable by cell phone, and if she is not available, or does not follow either parent's instructions about being home at a certain time, or lies about where she has been, she gets grounded.

Over the summer, Katherine had big plans to get some projects started, get involved more in sports or clubs, and hang out with friends. She has gone on a few outings with friends and started one project at home, but sometimes complains of being bored. You remind her about the other plans and offer your help if needed.

Katherine and some of her friends went camping with a close friend's parents. Katherine had a great time, and learned to use a compass to navigate in the woods.