Last year the kids were in 2nd and 3rd grade and never did I think that we would be faced with so many challenges. Kids learn different than we parents learned so not only are they learning something new, we are as well. For someone who was already no fan of math, I developed an even greater distaste for it last year. The kids learn math employing the TERC curriculum and it is more confusing then how I learned it. I won't even try to explain it, but you can Google it if you care to know more. Anyway, we made it through math.
Reading and writing also came with their challenges. Not so much for Cyrus as he was in 2nd grade but for Grady, 3rd grade was no joke. There was loads of reading, writing, editing, publishing. Publishing parties are all the rage in NYC public schools I think as I was always going to one or another. Nice idea for the kids to see their work "published" but a bit much overall.
The principal at the new school is in a league of her own. You can take that however you want. She definitely needs to find some extracurricular activities and branch out a bit. She eats, breaths and dreams of this school. I swear she wraps her arms around it every evening before heading home, giving it a tight hug and kiss goodnight. I've heard of tree huggers but not school huggers. I guess I should be happy about her love of the school but she needs to deal with reality and realize that nothing is perfect, not even our school. Wake up lady.
Cyrus had a great 2nd grade teacher who was loving but stern which is exactly what he needs. My little one likes to be the class clown but she let him know that everyday is not a circus. Save the antics for Ringling Bros. boo. He learned a lot in class even though he didn't always seem interested.
Grady's 3rd grade teacher was the worst. Never have I met someone who is so non-communative. You're a grade school teacher, so you should expect to have questions asked of you. She was miserable and a yeller. It's one thing for me to yell at my child, but I don't need a teacher to. She never yelled at Grady, but I did witness her on several occasions yell at other kids. I am not sure why she decided to be a school teacher b/c she really seemed to dislike her job and children in general. Besides the fact that she was horrific at her job, she also failed to realize that Grady had a learning difference.
Every evening doing homework was a huge struggle. Grady wasn't comprehending things and processing them as she should. When I mentioned this to her teacher, she said that she just needs to concentrate more and pay better attention. My kids are not saints, but they are very well-behaved and respectful so this is not an issue. However, her ability to focus and concentrate on things waivers and it is hard to be successful when your head is in another place. After months and months of this back and forth, we finally did an independent evaluation to address our concerns and sure enough she has a learning difference. Grady was diagnosed with attention-deficit and is now on the road to recovery.
I won't even get started on the TEST PREP that NYC public school children do each year. It is just short of barbaric and should be outlawed. The pressure that they face with these year-end tests is incredibly intense and intimidating. Made it through that too, but just barely. This year both kids are taking these tests but our motto is that we are not going to let the stress of the school or these tests, get the better of us. My kids have extended day twice a week, homework help and a private tutor so we are doing all we can do to make sure they succeed. My feelings are that they have everything in place to do their best, so we will leave the rest up to what they learn in school and in life so that they can be the students that they are going to be. We stress education, but I think it is important to know your child and play up their strengths and put your energy there. My kids are already successful so I don't worry about what a test score says. I refuse to play into this NYC public school parent role that so many parents fall into.
Anyway, we have begun the new school year and 3rd & 4th grade seem to be going very well so far. We are excited to see what they learn and to watch their minds grow and their interest peak.
Most importantly, they actually seem to be enjoying this year too.
