I Take It All Back

I'm still not entirely certain how or why it happened. I've been saying the same things over and over from the beginning...even Monkeydad has chimed in from time to time. I have no idea why it finally sunk in. But for whatever reason, in the middle of a very polite Parent-Teacher conference (as we were sighing with resignation "You know, your assessment is what it is...if he won't be challenged at school, we'll have to challenge him at home."), the Monkey's teacher suddenly said "I think I'll get my reading specialist involved."

Now, three weeks later, the Monkey has gone from a level 7 to a level 15 reading group. They assessed him extensively and agreed that he could probably handle the reading and the thought-work of a first grade reading class, but he couldn't keep up with the writing requirement. So he's in a pre-first-grade special group with one other student (who can, if the teacher's comments are right, write well enough to do the first grade group, but probably isn't quite capable of the thought process).

And now the emails I'm getting are 180 degrees from the beginning of the semester... The Monkey understands what I'm asking from the class and will give it to me. He'll tell me about the beginning middle and end of the story. He's really using what he's learned.

The handwriting is still a huge issue...and we're working through that. But at least he's getting some support in the areas where he's strong...just in time to transfer to another school. Oy.

I wrote his teacher an email to say thank you...and she gushed back with appreciation. She's struggling through her first year of teaching and trying to keep the needs of all her kids balanced. I know it can't be easy for her and, truthfully, I probably didn't make it any easier. But ultimately, I had to advocate for my kid...and she put aside her need to prove herself as a new teacher and asked for help. That couldn't have been easy for her either....and I'm very grateful that she did it.

The Monkey's teacher draws hearts (sometimes big ones!) when she's really pleased with the work the kids do. This is my big heart for her.