Grade One almost over

[ieh21]

Who knew I would suck so much at Grade One? Turns out it was a much much tougher adjustment than kindergarten. If you think about it, they learn so much that is so fundamental, it's such a crucial learning experience, it boggles the mind. Not only do they have to learn to read and write and then some grammar. Plus basic mathematical principles. The whole "living in a big institution" thing is over, that was kindergarten, as was the "socialising with 20 kids at once and no, they can't all like you" phase. The academic learning almost killed me and I can already read and write and count.

 

I wasn't ready for her to be anything but top percentile. I wasn't ready for her to be struggling with some concepts. I wasn't ready for her not to be motivated by the desire to accomplish a goal. I wasn't ready for any of that.

 

Thankfully, she had an amazing teacher. A woman who, despite her young age, connected with the widowed mother. Understood that the anxieties were mine, that her primary target was me, not my daughter (who navigated the whole year quite well, who wasn't too bothered by her own difficulties and just kind of went with the flow and worked when asked to). She knew that when I emailed her in a panic, it was because there was no one else to talk to about Eldest DD's progress, she was the only one steeped in it as much as I am. She cared and understood my concerns and more importantly, she knew who to calm me the F*&#$ down by addressing the basis of my fears. (my mom's idea of calming me down when I was concerned that my daughter had trouble recognising certain numbers was to jump immediately to the "she's dyslexic" diagnosis which served only to get me further freaked out. She isn't. Just needed more time.)

 

So in a nutshell, this school year can't end fast enough. I'll be better prepared next year. And I'll be better prepared for Youngest DD's arrival in first grade.

 

I don't know, these children, they are so fantastic, so amazing, so precious, I feel all I am actively doing is screwing them up. Little by little chipping away at their perfection. (well, all's relative. Ask me how I feel about their perfection when they're not dressed after my fifth warning that we're in a hurry!)

 

 

 

 

[Sugarbell]

Congrats making it thru 1st grade!!!

 

1st grade was the toughest year for my middle child...my baby is almost finished with grade 1...and even though for the most part it's been a smooth year-I am very glad it almost over (she has worksheets, reading assignments and math problems every night. Spelling/Reading tests every week...big difference from Kindergarten...I swear I don't remember my boys having that amount of work in 1st grade!

[cmf]

Congratulations!  You're not screwing them up, I promise.

 

 

 

 

 

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11/8/59-8/22/10

[calimom]

We should have a chat in a few years after you've attempted algebra! .  I've been so lame at that this school year that my son has to take summer school.  Rarely do I go into the unproductive, circular thinking that "Jeff should be here for this!  This was his job!" But sadly, I confess I did.  And my son will be stronger and better equipped for the next grade by doubling down over the summer.

 

We can't be breadwinners, CEOs of our households, chauffeurs, nurturers, cooks and every other task required of us without falling down on a few.  We have to cut ourselves some slack.  You're doing a great job with those girls.

 

And glad to hear of your lovely young teacher.  My son had a wonderful kindergarten teacher who I badly wanted for my younger daughter when she turned 5.  She wasn't assigned to that classroom, but I pulled the widow card.  Sue me.  Let's hear it for the good teachers out there.