This is my grandson. And yes, he is sitting on a foam roller with his papers taped to the window, working on ANOTHER homework assignment while the sun shines and the outdoor calls to him. This is approximately hour number 8 spent at home on this assignment. As you can probably tell from the picture, Kai is not your traditional learner. He has trouble concentrating and staying on task, has been designated ADHD, and has trouble doing the same thing as everyone else in the same way. Those of you not in the education system might be surprised how MANY students are not 'traditional' learners. I have no problem with homework. Okay, that's a lie. I do not have trouble with SOME homework that serves a particular purpose and requires a limited amount of time for students and their families.
There have been many defining moments over my years in the classroom and as an administrator that served to remind me that school does NOT need to be a child's whole life. One of those moments was when a parent came to see me when I was a principal. She was obviously upset and had not been able to resolve the situation with the teacher. Her words were, "The amount of work that my son is required to do at home is starting to ruin my relationship with him and we are not doing it anymore." Who could blame her?
If you are an educator reading this, remember every day to see their gifts, to work from their strengths, to understand their challenges and to not lose sight of the child EVER! If you are a parent in this situation, have a voice and DON'T STOP until your child's needs are met! Watching our boy struggle, knowing there is no need for it, makes us angry and sad and frustrated. Wishing that his teacher could see the creative, intelligent, hilarious, determined, caring (oh, so caring!) miracle that the rest of us see!
This is the blog about our boy heading to kindergarten with enthusiasm, curiosity and a love of learning.
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