Celebrating A Boy Who Can Read

On New Years Day of this year, Matthew and I sat down for his first ever school lesson.  I wasn't intending on teaching my child to read before Kindergarten, but Matthew has loved being read to since about a year of age and we knew he was ready to enter into the world of reading for himself.  Click here to see my post about starting the reading lessons.

On May 6, 2011, Matthew finished his 100th lesson, two days shy of his fifth birthday.  Here we are, completing his last lesson:

Here is Matthew, reading a few sentences from his last lesson:



We do a high-five at the end of each lesson, corresponding to the # of lesson we are on.  So here we are doing a high-100!

 

Matthew, next to his completed chart:

A month or so into the lessons, Mathew found out that his friend Ian was also going through the program and was just a few months ahead of Matthew.  So Matthew got the idea that when they both finished, they could both go to our IMAX theater at OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry) and watch a movie there.  Matthew has only ever seen one other movie on a big screen in his life (also at the IMAX) so it was kind of a big deal. :)   So two days ago, Matthew, Ian and I set out to OMSI to watch our movie.  Driving with two five-year-olds in back seat is very entertaining.

Here are the boys outside the theater.  The big movie reels are behind them, with the filmstrip stretching up to the ceiling.

Settled in our seats:

This is what we watched:

OMSI is right on Portland's waterfront, so after the movie we stepped outside to check out the view:

Looking out at the USS Blueback (at right):

We stopped for ice-cream afterwards:

 When Matthew and I got home, Daddy had a surprise waiting for him in his room. A beanbag chair to sit and read in all by himself!  We also got him a book, as did my Aunt Carol.

Congratulations, Matthew!  We are so proud of you!