After a rough couple of days today seems to have gone MUCH better... despite being hit in the face with a soccer ball (so I guess that's saying something).
Her teacher even praised her today in front of the whole class for her neatness (which we all know is next to cleanliness which is next to godliness).
After 3 days of hearing her call Kid "slow" at least 5 times during our 30 second conversations (each day people) (and, yes, in front of her... cause you know what will make her work faster?... disparaging her), the praise was an astonishing turn of events.
Kid also got an A+ on her math homework. So she's somewhat redeemed after her B on yesterday's pretest. (that was rough, peeps, homegirl does NOT like less than 100%... and, yes, I do know where she got that)
One of the big problems is that everything they do is done old school style. There aren't any worksheets, all of their math work has to be copied out of the book and then solved... this takes a VERY long time (obviously). Kid likes to do things very neatly and that takes effort not speed and then she runs out of time to finish things, misses the directions for the next thing... and it snow balls. I'm happy to say that today she had managed to copy all of her assignments into her assignment book so that's an improvement. A lot of the issues are just basic things based on how the classroom is run that she is unfamiliar with and that the teacher seems to assume she'll just pick up or are self-evident. Unfortunately, if you don't explain that they have to copy their assignments down into their assignment book Kid isn't going to know to do that. I'm not really sure what the teacher's tactic is here... I'm definitely frustrated because we had had what I thought was an understanding before school started... but I'm just going in the room with Kid after dismissal EVERY single day to double check that she wrote all the assignments down and that she has all of the stuff she needs to complete it. Again, bringing home graph paper might be obvious to the other kids that have had to copy all of their work out of their books for years, but Kid (and I) aren't going to know that intuitively. Add all that to the fact that Kid just isn't good at multi-tasking and it's a set up for a really bad time. But today went better. I've steered her toward some girls I think she should play with at recess and she has taken my advice and it's worked out well.
Here's hoping next week is even better, even though we'll be adding in our arch rival spelling into the mix! Oh and one hour of homework a night (if you aren't slow... so 1.5-2 for you know who) for 4th grade!
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I feel your pain with the driving. The christian school that my daughter went to for 1st-3rd (that we loved) closed when some jack-ass preacher took over and didn't want to run a school. Yes, I know that wasn't very nice to call him a name, but you will just have to trust me. He came in caused massive destruction and left 2 years later. To attend the next closest one that we liked I drove over 500 miles a week for 4th and 5th grades. Now I drive about 20. It's awesome, but while those 500 mile weeks were rough, they were totally worth it. I think because of the small, nurturing environment she was able to develop a confidence that I don't know that she would have otherwise. Sorry for the book, I hope she enjoys it more and more!
We had that drive when the youngest was in Pre-K two years ago. I am feeling for you. That was some tough stuff. Two positives: time in the car with the kids, they open up an tell you all sorts of great things while you're logging those miles; and it was so easy to spend most afternoons volunteering because it sucked to drive home and basically drive all the way back. I really had a great time with the kids and teachers and other parents.
The sheer time suck of the drive did push me to finally cut our losses at the old place so that we could move forward here or in the town where the kids were going to school.
So glad that Kid is getting settled in, hopefully her teacher will become more gracious with time.
Kellie,
500... whoa! Once Mr F starts his new job (he's been home all week and really messing with my mojo!) he'll take them on his way (ish) I'll only have to drive 60 miles a day! Totally worth it if this all works out... and if not... it will only be for one year ;)
amy,
"time in the car with the kids, they open up an tell you all sorts of great things while you're logging those miles"
absolutely! Kid spills it all on the way home. I had originally thought she'd be able to do homework on the drive but I didn't know what we were dealing with so, no, that won't work. We were also supposed to have a carpool but the only other 1/2 day K-er in our neck of the woods changed schools at the last minute! Oh well, next year if they are still there, Mr F will take them in the AM and I'll only have to go once in the PM. At least I'm totally caught up with NPR :)
amy,
Oh, also, I think the teacher is highly skeptical of us for homeschooling and think that equals me "doing everything for her" (as she said)... I think we have a lot to prove to her. Until then I'm pretty sure she experiences Kid's quirks as a reaction to having to manage independently and not from anxiety. Only time will tell how this progresses. We have until Thanksgiving to pull out without penalty (90 day probation period for new students).
...hear you on NPR. We owe Michigan Public Radio a huge donation. It literally plays 24/7 in our house.
So cool that Mr. F will be able to drive too. Tom did that a few days a week and I know that it made a huge difference in me keeping my sanity ; )
Kid will do great. Her problem is that she is smart enough to question why things have to be done a certain way when that doesn't work for everyone. An idealist maybe?
I'm already starting to get hives from thinking about the issues I have with public school. At the same time, I have to admit this has been a long month. I'm a little eager to get some time to accomplish things on my own while the kids are in school.
Glad you had "improvements" to report. I'm so annoyed for you that the teacher is making any assumptions about you and Kid. Maybe she should just listen to you, who knows your child best, and take it to heart.
We've had that issue too. My go-to line with these people is saying that "We hope you will help us encourage K's self-advocacy, as we feel that is the skill that will serve him best in the future." They love that one.
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