Because his identity is protected by the shades, I have to show off a picture of the boy that always makes me grin, even on the worst of days. This was taken when he visited Lulu and Papa this summer for two weeks.
Isn't he great? That's a big juicy Velveeta-y smile.
He's loving and funny and articulate and smart. Of course, he's only 4, so he's also often dirty, smelly, obsessed with farts and his personal light saber - you know which one, the 'saber' with which all boys are enamored, big or small.
In short, he's a well-adjusted little boy.
So it's heartbreaking and irritating that he's already been labeled by the school system. Well, by Montessori anyway, which as I understand it, is some kind of system. Or cult.
His mom was sent a 200-item 'report card' prior to Parent-Teacher conferences this week. Seriously? 200? Did he pick up the blue crayon instead of the purple crayon? Did he not show enough interest in the child-sized dustpan? Did he look away when yet another teacher spoke of the need to 'interact appropriately with his peers?' Probably...apparently, he's also showing too much imagination because he loves Thomas the Tank Engine.
Really.
This child is lovingly and well-parented by our daughter and son-in-law. Both work full-time and are very smart/busy/funny/articulate as well. Yes, they've chosen to send him to this particular Montessori, and would like for him to have a challenging, warm environment in which to grow. But again - 200???
Here is a quote from the North American Montessori Teachers site "In the calm, ordered space of the Montessori prepared environment, children work on activities of their own choice at their own pace. They experience a blend of freedom and self-discipline in a place especially designed to meet their development needs."
"...of their own choice, at their own pace....freedom and self-discipline."
I have to wonder.....have these wonderfully earnest Montessori teachers ever stopped to ponder the delicious irony of grading a 4-year-old on activities of their own choice, and freedom and self-discipline?
If he's not showing interest in any of the activities - shouldn't he be the class Valedictorian for truly setting his own pace?
I'm not saying, I'm just saying.....
2 comments:
Aw Lu, he's adorable!!♥
But gaw...thats really very sad about the school. Now I really wanna know what those 200 items are. Srsly? 200? Too much imagination? Hellur!?! He's 4!! What tha...???
I'd be furious. Like Uncle Buck. Does his principal have a wart by chance? (Oy. kidding.)
What a cutie! You know, he'll still be obsessed with farts and his light saber even when he's 16. Or 37. I know this. I'm living it.
Sorry to hear about your troubles with his school. Hang in there. I think schools are quick to label our kids these days. Not cool.
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