I'm still here. I am. I really am lurking at most of my blogroll through Google Reader. I just haven't had much comment time.
The week ended as fast and furious as it started! We are winding down at school which is always crazy. The third grade reading scores for our state came in this week. This means that we have to tell parents that their children are going to be retained via state mandate if they "fail". For at least two children in my school, this means they will spend their THIRD year in THIRD grade.
It is absolutely one of the saddest parts of my job as a Literacy Coach to tell a parent that their child is "failing". I mean they are each sending us the smartest kids they have. They are not hiding the brains at home.
Please know that I am also not about simply promoting for the sake of promoting. I do believe that all children can learn to read and that it's our job to get them there. I also believe, however, that sometimes kids DO need more time to learn. If I ran the Education world, there'd be NO grade levels...only benchmarks for children to demonstrate knowledge. When they "hit the benchmark" they are ready to move to the next one. I'd divide it up in Elementary into Primary (typically K-2) and Intermediate (typically 3rd - 5th) and then explain that most kids complete these grades in 6 years, but some may need eight. This would allow those kids who do need extra time to do it without the stigma that is attached with "failing a grade".
Anyway...
Last night was the 8th grade dance for DS 3. I'm hoping to post a new sidebar picture of him ready to go. Shopping for it was a HOOT! They go pretty "casual" as far as I'm concerned...but all the 8th grade boys were shopping on the same night and checking in with each other about what they were "going to wear". It was fun.
DS 4 and I came up to Orlando last night for a soccer tournament. He has a game this afternoon. We'll watch my nephew play tonight. Then we have two games tomorrow.
Right now, I'm sitting inside the picture window of my hotel waiting on DS 4 and his soccer buddies to come back with the ice bucket they took. On second thought, I better quit blogging and make sure all the other guests are OK!
Happy Saturday!
8 comments:
You have been running like crazy!! Sounds like some fun family times though.
I think some of the beauty of home schooling is that children can learn some things at their own speed in the comfort of their own homes...
but that said, the public school system needs more dedicated Christian teachers just like you, and I'm so glad you're there! :)
Sounds like you are SO busy...
hopefully things will slow down some for the summer!
Looking forward to those pictures of DS3 and shopping for the dance!
Susan,
Jordan is getting so grown-up. I would like to have heard some of those conversations!
Now, with regard to DS4 and his soccer buddies -- don't leave us hanging!
Were all of the other guests OK? :)
Love,
Dad/Grandpa
Thinking of you. Relax and enjoy the rest of your weekend ;)
What an interesting idea for schooling. I guess the onus is kindof on their parents not to make too big of a deal of it, maybe.
Our oldest son had to be held back and it was the BEST thing for him. I always thought that he should have been and then when they said so then I was all for it. I know it is easier when you are young and he was only in the 1st grade at that time. He grew so fast though and was always the tallest. It helped him so much. I hope that you are ready for the summer to begin. Take care. Sandy
I LOVE your plan for education!!! I would SO help you lobby for something like that!!
Still waiting to hear where they're going to put me for my student teaching. I'm SO anxious!!! Ready to get back into Acadamia. Not that I don't love staying home with Lance-- I just feel that I'm losing a few brain cells!
I wish you were in charge of the education world. Your plan is lovely.
One of the many reasons I love being a home educator is this fact exactly. Some learn early. Some learn easily. Some learn later. Some struggle for a while. If we would allow kids time to grow, mature and learn when they are ready we'd have many happier learners in the world.
Have any of these kids been checked for possible vision therapy issues? Perhaps they are simply late bloomers. Sad that they have to be "held back" again. What a joy killer where education is concerned. At some point, it will not matter what their intelligence is, they may believe they are too dumb to learn. :(
I'm glad you are part of that school system. Your heart has to be a blessing to many!!!
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