TLM's K1 teacher was exceptionally good with kids. Some of the smart things she did were:
1) Set TLM up with a "buddy". When TLM was done with his work, he would go over and help his buddy finish his, kept TLM out of trouble.
2) Gave TLM extra and more challenging work, which he actually called "math games time";
3) Reveled in all the children's idiosyncrasies.
Here is an example of her superb handling of kids. One day when I came into class to read, she told me that TLM had spent the previous day "snorting like a pig." She didn't challenge his behavior that day. The next day, she asked him why he had spent the day snorting and his reason was understandable, for a 5-year old. Apparently, he had read a book about pigs and really felt like a pig all day. His teacher was amused, not offended. So, she didn't punish him. Perfect.
Second grade was a whole different story. One October morning, TLM broke down in violent sobs at the thought of going to school. In between his gulps of air, he managed to get out, "I feel like I am being yelled at from morning to night in school." This was my first indication of what was happening in TLM's classroom.
After talking further with TLM and some of his classmates, I saw a pattern. Many of these seemingly-happy kids were routinely breaking down sobbing either right before school or after they came home. The second grade teacher, as sweet as she seemed, was a tyrant. The kids in her class were being micro-managed to death. And, she was not balancing this with any fun. Another class learned about Native Americans by going outside and gathering materials for shelter, learning what plants they would have foraged, and pretending to plant crops. TLM's class did worksheets on the same topics. Can you imagine how a 7-year old's eyes light up at learning about local tribes by filling out a worksheet? Oh, joy!
On top of this, there was no concept of recess. Technically the second-graders got 15 minutes of recess a day, out of a 6.5 hour day. In reality, recess was routinely "lost" if they were fidgety, restless or loud, even in the face of research and empirical evidence that the exact opposite is needed. The kids would also not have recess if the majority of the kids "voted" not to go out or if it was too cold, too hot, too slushy or drizzling. I volunteered to come to school at recess and take the kids to the playground when the teacher did not want to. Nothing doing. Recess was not a priority for this teacher of 7 & 8 year olds.
I could go on, but it is now close to noon and I need a Bloody Mary.
Bloody Mary Recipe
2 oz vodka (go cheap, your tastebuds won't notice)
4 oz tomato juice
1/2 teaspoon grated horseradish
a squeeze of lime
a few shakes of Worcestershire Sauce
a few shakes of Tabasco
a few dashes of salt
a few dashes of black pepper
a spoonful of sugar
ice cubes
Garnish: Celery stalk or pickled asparagus, green beans or nothing at all
Glass: Nice and tall (like your man)
In order, pour the ingredients in a glass, add garnish, add ice, stir, raise to lips and enjoy - responsibly. Or not.
After talking further with TLM and some of his classmates, I saw a pattern. Many of these seemingly-happy kids were routinely breaking down sobbing either right before school or after they came home. The second grade teacher, as sweet as she seemed, was a tyrant. The kids in her class were being micro-managed to death. And, she was not balancing this with any fun. Another class learned about Native Americans by going outside and gathering materials for shelter, learning what plants they would have foraged, and pretending to plant crops. TLM's class did worksheets on the same topics. Can you imagine how a 7-year old's eyes light up at learning about local tribes by filling out a worksheet? Oh, joy!
On top of this, there was no concept of recess. Technically the second-graders got 15 minutes of recess a day, out of a 6.5 hour day. In reality, recess was routinely "lost" if they were fidgety, restless or loud, even in the face of research and empirical evidence that the exact opposite is needed. The kids would also not have recess if the majority of the kids "voted" not to go out or if it was too cold, too hot, too slushy or drizzling. I volunteered to come to school at recess and take the kids to the playground when the teacher did not want to. Nothing doing. Recess was not a priority for this teacher of 7 & 8 year olds.
I could go on, but it is now close to noon and I need a Bloody Mary.
Bloody Mary Recipe
2 oz vodka (go cheap, your tastebuds won't notice)
4 oz tomato juice
1/2 teaspoon grated horseradish
a squeeze of lime
a few shakes of Worcestershire Sauce
a few shakes of Tabasco
a few dashes of salt
a few dashes of black pepper
a spoonful of sugar
ice cubes
Garnish: Celery stalk or pickled asparagus, green beans or nothing at all
Glass: Nice and tall (like your man)
In order, pour the ingredients in a glass, add garnish, add ice, stir, raise to lips and enjoy - responsibly. Or not.
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