Dragging my feet, so sorry!

Posted on Sep 24, 2009 09:27:54 PM

It’s been quite a week and I’ve been a not-so-good blogger here.  It all starts with a sinus infection with me, some minor meltdowns over homework one night and we’ve made it to Thursday night without anyone harmed. 

As for the homework issue, it started when I had to go to the doctor myself on Tuesday.  And that in turn, took away the wee bit of pay time that my first grader normally gets afterschool.  Add to that the cantankerous behavior of a 4 year old and when we started homework, the meltdown started.

Spelling words went off without a hitch (the kid can spell the words if you ask him to spell aloud, if you ask him to write them, if you spell them and ask him what they are – he is good, even if he is mine).  Vocabulary which is usually a cinch was even difficult.  But, then, the site words….we made it to the 9th or 10th word, which was “these”.  And, that’s when it started.  He wanted the word to be “those”.  I corrected, we back up a word or two and he said it again, “those”.  I  asked him to sound it out and he started to get a bit whiney.  I insisted, he got whiner. 

I suggested we do his reading and he fell to pieces.  I called it quits, put a note in his folder that we had a rough evening, my son got upset and we did not finish homework.  He was afraid if he did not sign-off on his spot, he would be in trouble.

I wrote a note to the teacher and that was all that was needed. (see note at bottom about this).  However, last night and again tonight, when we got to the word “these”, he wanted to make the word “those”.

We finished homework without any trauma and I put a note in his folder on his page where the site words are listed indicating that he was continuing to say the word was “those” not “these”.    I can’t be sure, he has never had problems with any site words before, but I think part of it was the font.  The “e” and the “o” are very similar and since he wears glasses and we know that he has some vision issues, I’m hoping that it isn’t the case of his eyes not being corrected and is just an issue of bad fonts.  We shall see. 

What do you think?

*Personal note:  As you may remember from a week or so ago, the homework issue was discussed in greater detail.  At the beginning of the school year, his teacher said that she understood that on occasion things come up and homework just doesn’t get done.  And, indeed, my note regarding me being sick and that my doctors appointment had messed our afternoon routine up and that my son had a meltdown was enough for her.  I explained that he was upset about not signing off on the sheet for his part.  She was kind enough to put a smiley face by my notes and his signature and added that she understood and that he would not be trouble even if he hadn’t signed. 

I put a note at the bottom that said “thanks” and that he was quite anxious about homework in general. 

So, I figured that it is important to note here that when I said what I said about homework and when I said that if the teachers are doing what the text book producers are suggesting, then very possibly this homework issue is not an issue with the teachers.  And, I do hope she reads this and knows that while I think (and know) that the teachers have control to some degree, she works as part of a team of 3 first grade teachers, she works through a state wide curriculum and she does, in part, have to conform to rules. 

That doesn’t mean I like the homework issue anymore than I ever did before.  But, my son’s school does their part, his teachers do their part and without a doubt (and not that she needed to), she proved that she is genuine in her love of teaching and does what she really thinks is right.  And I like that.  And we like her.  Nothing is or ever has been personal. 

Need I say more? 

What are your thoughts on this part too?