I have lost 2 things, and I am in the process of losing the third. No, I’ve lost 3 things lately. It is official it is 3 things. The first being the battery charger for my Canon. What the heck, how can I use the damn camera without a charged battery? It has to be here somewhere, it just has to. The second thing I have lost is my grandmother’s Krumkake press. Ok, I found it but now I have lost the time that I need to bake some. Murphy’s Law I suppose. The third thing might be the most important or least important thing depending how you look at it. I have lost my mind! It is no laughing matter.
The thing about my mind is that it has been overly consumed with fighting for some rights for my kid at school. He is bored out of his mind and is not applying himself. Since he is not applying himself they are reluctant to do anything about it because he is not the classic high achiever that they are looking for. He has experienced the grading system as pointless, if one day he is getting a failing grade for not turning in assignments, so the next day he turns them in and gets an A or B. I am ashamed to admit that I have been on the school side of this equation for far too long. Siding with the establishment to enforce the status quo. He has been complaining that everything moves so slow for a long time. Finally I have decided to be his advocate instead of part of the problem. The only thing is that now the school sees me as the problem. They are perfectly intent with the way that things were. They are like the UN in Africa. (If you are confused by that read Dark Star Safari by Paul Theroux, or better yet see for yourself the progress they have made)
I asked the teacher and principal why they do not have different levels for Math or other subjects. Obviously not all the children are at the same level. The teacher’s response was that she did not want to create attitudes in those in a higher group and make the other kids feel inferior. Really? That has to be BS. The school band has an advanced or honor band that is hand picked based on the Music teacher’s preferences and that is fine, but not in the classroom??? I can almost understand an experienced teacher being set in their ways and not seeing the forest for the trees, but fresh out of school and I am surprised at the lack of ability to deal with varying students. Apparently I did not get my children at the same cookie cutter factory that everyone else in town did. THANK GOD!
The biggest concern I have is that with less than 20 kids in the class the teachers seem to not have a grasp of where each kid is and their individual needs. I am paying for this school, it is not the public system and now I am just plain angry. This has consumed my days and nights for weeks and I see no end in sight. The temporary solution is that my husband and I will homeschool our 6th grader in Math. He is now doing things that the teacher does not approve, or in the right order because obviously elementary teachers have a better understanding of Mathematics than my husband an Engineer with advanced degrees. Now they want me to bring in his work so that they can grade it, what? You can’t teach him but you can grade him. My blood is boiling.
Please excuse me for the crazy rant of a unstable mother, who must have serious hormonal issues, but I just had to get my word in.
Now, on to the picture above…
I have such great intentions, every year, that I am going to make tins full of Christmas goodies and well, I never do. If I did they would sit around here until March, then I will toss them. That is just how it is. My freak kids just don’t love sweets. Sure they will eat a little but bore of them quickly. They must be aliens, like their dad, except he is a legal alien and they are from outer space.
I will put that Jøtul Krumkake maker to use soon, and I will post. Even if I have to use my not so nice camera due to failing to find the battery charger.
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh sweet lord, you are not alone in the matter of the cookie cutter education system. Even if the kid is in the same class, why can’t they give that child some assignments that challenge him. You would think they would want kids to be challenged and make progress, so what if they are ahead of the game. I think kids who are not very good in Math can learn by challenging themselves to do better and by realizing that everyone has strengths and weaknesses and that’s OK. My blood is boiling for you as well!! Grrrr! Go get’m- keep the fight going because if it doesn’t help your child, it might help others who come after him. Thank You for being such a great mom.
All I can say, my very good, slightly insane friend, is that they do survive in spite of the US school system. You know my boy was exactly the same as yours…you saw it…you saw my insanity, heard my rants, poured me fabulous drinks…
You need to move here…NOW!!! And bring the fixins for that Pom/Ginger thingy…we need pitchers!
PS…did you check the outlets for your battery? I did that a couple of times. If it was a snake, it would have bit me!
good thinking! and thanks for the support
I really appreciate your comment. Studies show that putting kids into more challenging classes is a humbling experience. So true that they all have strengths and weaknesses, it would be great for the kids to mentor one another. I doubt that this fight will help my child but hopefully it will help someone else’s. When I asked how many other children they are not reaching I got “deer in the headlights” stares. Thanks for the support
Did I understand you are making pitchers of drinks instead of cookies???? Can I play Santa at your house?
Keep up the dialog at school – My math challenged child will be there next and I love that you pave the way. I suppose you have seen me in the room next door lots
Thankfully our situation is working well for now, but it did take a week of extra classroom time. I pray yours resolves soon.
I do like to muddle a few drinks now and then perhaps we should muddle together and see what we can do about all our problems – Cheers!
I’ll take a pitcher of drinks over a batch of cookies any day
Glad that I can be the trailblazer, haha.
Come on over and bring your muddler, that way we can do two at the same time!
Hey Kris, hang in there. As you know, I do not believe in teaching whole class instruction and my students were always on individual learning plans…. until they made me quit. Brain research backs your beliefs, but you won’t get the educational system won’t support you because they are following the textbook industry. Keep trying, but don’t get too discouraged. Kids do survive in spite of the system. I am going shopping and get the ingredients for that drink.
hmmmm, I should have proofread that.
Maybe you are loosing your mind, but I found your battery charger! Good luck with your school battles. Think I’ll go out get the ingredients for that drink also. I’m sure Santa would like that in place of the cookies this year!
proofread, what is that? I should have a permanent on staff proofreader, oh yeah, I have no staff.
They didn’t make you quit, you just refuse to be a part of a failing system anymore. You made the decision.
I can see that they are chained to the programs and texts that they buy. What surprises me the most is that they seem to have no idea about the individuals, I feel like I am back in the USSR.
The other child is struggling with grammar and I am the one who had to bring it their attention (last year and currently) and they suggest I invest in a tutor. So, how much do you charge for tutoring?
Now go enjoy that drink
Your comment about the school system really hits home with a lot of parents apparently. Teachers can teach on an individual basis. One of my granddaughters reads above her level and her kindergarten teacher made sure to challenge her during the year with special projects. Hang in there Kristen.
Wow!
After reading all this I am not sure I am so excited about putting my son in school next year! He is learning so much at home I hate to slow it down by putting him in school! Ironic, right! Thanks for the heads up though. I look forward to the challenge and envy your strength and will to fight for your boys!
Good Luck,
Nichole