Little Deedle. How I love her. Why is she so angry? Is it her medulla oblongata? I don't know.
My joy (and hers) was short lived. Soon she began to tell me that her teacher is mean and that everything they do in class is "baby-ish". Even the playground, she says, is "baby-ish". In kindergarten, although she was very smart, the class was structured in such a way that Deedle was rarely bored and could be pushed on each activity above the minimum requirement to keep her interest. Doesn't appear to be so in this classroom. I'm afraid that it has already turned into the typical situation you hear of where a kid is very bright (ie reading the Book of Mormon outloud during family scripture study) but is forced to sit quietly at her seat at school while she is taught what sounds each letter makes and then forced to practice writing one letter to fill an entire page. Its not really working for her and apparently she's getting yelled at a lot. We try to get specifics on why she is getting in trouble. She says over and over, "I don't know." Until finally she'll admit, "well, sometimes I just kind of forget that I have to keep looking at the board because I'm bored of looking at it but I have to keep looking at it." Hm....a far cry from the Montessori school I tried to get her enrolled in (but weren't selected).
I'm hoping to go observe her classroom some time soon to see if its really as bad as she says. I have a feeling it is. Its tough. Deedle has such a strong personality. Luckily many of us are inexplicably drawn to her and her fiestiness often has us in fits of laughter (she told Chancho that her science is stupid and baby-ish because they don't even get to use chemicals...you know..."the kinds you mix together to make potions and stuff".) I think all of my sisters adore her, even when she's at her worst...but I can also see how she might just rub wrong with some personalities. Maybe this is the case with her teacher. I don't know. I know we're here temporarily so its hard to know if I should do something like make a fuss and change teachers or try to homeschool her for a few months until we move to Texas or if we should just let her work it out and remind her to think of the positives, count her blessings, and remember that its not going to be forever. Hm... I don't know. Any advice? I sure do love this child.
7 comments:
I had a child who was totally bored in the second grade. The solution the teacher offered was that she be taught to crochet - at home. How that was supposed to help during school is something I still haven't figured out!
From my perspective, Deedle is being set up to equate school with boredom and drudgery. That is an attitude that can last a long time. Whatever you decide to do to help her, the administration (even higher up than the principal) needs to be aware of why you want to make changes. If the teacher needs coaching, it won't happen unless administration is aware of the problem(s).
Is moving her to another class an option?
The school has a moral and legal responsibility to see that she is getting a quality education. But they have so many children to provide for that they can't always see problems, especially if she is day-dreaming and not disrupting. I think you need to start by being in the classroom to see what is happening, and then becoming the squeaking wheel until you're satisfied that Deedle is happy.
Hmm. I just don't know what to tell you. If you did do the k12 thing, maybe by the time you guys moved she'd be totally re-excited about school. Maybe she could be tested and bumped up to 2nd grade at Taylor? Do they do that? I'm sure she could handle it fine. When I homeschooled Daisy in 1st it was all 2nd and maybe even some 3rd grade curriculum. Also, somehow a girl in my ward ended up getting her daughter in late to the Montessori school out here. Her daughter is older, but I think she said something about some unfilled spots they ended up with late in the game, so maybe you could just call to check.
Just move to Texas now!
It is tricky of course - but we teach our children that 1. you try something once you've committed to it and that 2. Once enough time has passed trying something that isn't going to work, you move on and try something better. 3. We do not know the best thing before making the decisions but we act anyways and count on love and the Lord to nudge us along...
PS your kiddos are so stinkin' cute! We can't wait to meet all of you!
I say life is full of boring experiences. Most bosses are boring. most jobs are boring. We spend a lot of time waiting for things to happen. I would talk to her about that - about finding ways to be successful DESPITE being bored.
The G was a downright pud the last two months of school; it was entirely tedious and had everything to do with our move. I think there's a component of hating a place that kids have to go through to accept leaving it.
i'm so sorry she isn't happy. she sounds like my cole! (although i haven't pinpointed cole's issues, where at least you're aware - partly - that it is due to boredom). i'm with your friend maggie, that you HAVE to do something because, like she said, these first years are mostly critical because they are gaining their perspective on school, and if she equates it with boredom and a place she doesn't like, she's in for a LONG road ahead of her.
i have no solution help - other than having been an educator, i know that it's important to let the teacher be aware. let her know she's a smarty pants. let her know she HAS to be pushed. and yes, if you have to, go to the administration, or ask her to be moved to a classroom where she will be pushed and love it more.
you'll love texas. my sister is in LOVE with the school's there, and has been so impressed with what goes on. :) hang on ... maybe it will get better. but i'll add cute miss deedle to my "please bless she has a good day" when i'm saying the same for cole.
Ohhhh, I hope you all survive this year. Sorry, I have no advice, but I am thinking of you and I still love your beautiful posts, even the down-to-earth "real" ones like this. My kindergartner is struggling with the whole school thing, too. He has a great teacher and he is more than prepared, but still, not so happy. If you find some answers, please pass them on. Love ya.
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