A Medal . . . and a Hamster . . . for Ben

A couple of months ago, Ben brought home a notice telling us that his school would once again be hosting the winter Reading Olympics.

During February, the students read as much as they can, recording their minutes on a worksheet that eventually gets handed in to their teacher.

Students need to read a minimum number of minutes to receive a gold, silver, or bronze medal in their classrooms.

Ben has always read enough to qualify for a gold, but--still--he has not been satisfied.

This is because the three readers with the highest number of minutes in each class are also recognized in a special awards ceremony. And while Ben has had his gold medals, he hasn't ever been one of the top three.

This year, though, when Ben came home with his notice about the Reading Olympics, he was on FIRE. He sat down with a book and started reading right away, declaring that this year he would win his class's gold medal.

Ben read, and was read to, all through February. He needed 500 minutes for a gold medal in his classroom, and he had already achieved this by February 5. By the end of the month, he'd read over 3000 minutes.

We handed in Ben's log and--not knowing how much the other kids had read--crossed our fingers that he'd done enough to get one of the special medals.

When spring break came and we still hadn't heard anything, I assumed someone else--or at least three others--had read even more than Ben.

After the holiday, though, we had a little note in Ben's planner, saying he'd got one of the top scores. We waited all week for the awards ceremony . . . then waited all through the student of the month assembly to hear Ben's results.

Finally it was time to recognize the winners of the Reading Olympics. And Ben's name came first--he'd read more minutes than anyone else in his class!!!

Ben also got another nice surprise--a $10 gift card for the book fair that will be coming up at his school next week.

You must be wondering now about the hamster.

Well. This week was also an exciting one for Ben because it was the last few days of his extra reading and math program, which he's been attending four mornings a week at another school since January.

Ben had been asking lately if he could have a hamster (Another girl in his class has one, and they'd been talking about it. They'd also read a story about a pet hamster).

I told Ben maybe for his birthday.

As Ben's program ended, though, I thought a hamster might be a nice prize for him, since he'd had such a difficult time getting through. Jason had promised to take Ben to play minigolf to celebrate, but since we'd just been to Disneyland and all, I asked Ben if he'd rather have a hamster, and he said YES.

So now we have Fluffy :)

It has been great to see Ben make these accomplishments at school, and to talk with his teachers about how positive and hard working he has been in class. He definitely struggles, but I can really see the progress he has made. I can't help but be proud of my little guy!

THREE THOUSAND MINUTES! Can you believe it??