Last week, we had a parent-teacher conference with Lil Bit's first grade teacher. Lil Bit is very intelligent and doing well in school, but we also know that she has trouble with organization and focus and want to help her develop good habits and skills now.
I blame her dad for those lack-of-focus genes.
(No one who knew me as a child is allowed to comment on that last statement or I will find early 90's photos of you and post them on my blog.)
Anyway, this conference made me realize more than ever that teachers really DO need higher salaries. Because it must have taken an insane amount of control on the teacher's part to not laugh hysterically at my child during the following situation that was related to us:
Lil Bit is in the highest reading group and the teacher does more spot checking with their "word studies" since this group does not need as much guidance in this area. Apparently Lil Bit had figured out the pattern of when she would be checked and tried only doing her work on those days.
She got busted.
Teacher: Why didn't you do your work yesterday?
Lil Bit: [dramatic sigh] I was dismayed.
Teacher: Dismayed? Why were you dismayed?
Lil Bit: There have been so many changes at home and it is unsettling.
(SERIOUS compliments to the teacher for not totally cracking up by this point)
Teacher: I know there have been changes at home, but you have been nothing but excited about your little brother. You are not dismayed, you just didn't want to do your work, didn't you?
Lil Bit: (fake) dramatic crying
Teacher: Sweetheart, you are not crying because you are "dismayed." You are crying because you got busted.
(I love Lil Bit's teacher for this!)
The conversation continued later, and Lil Bit has corrected her behavior. The teacher has also come up with some fabulous ideas for how to help Lil Bit stay more organized and hold herself accountable--some of which we will be incorporating at home as well.
Thank you to all the teachers, who maintain self control through the moments when you must want to cry, scream, or just laugh hysterically.
GIZMO
21 hours ago
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4 Bitty Thoughts:
I was cracking up reading that!!! Kids know how to work us and good! They just don't realize we were little too and we are on to them! Kuddos on the excellent vocabulary (and pattern recognition)!
Please send her suggestions my way...Wil might benefit! OMG I love this teacher.
I loved this blog!!!!
Love it :) We are having a conf next week about Micah's behavior. How to strategize and also show him we are all on the same team. Basically he is disruptive by being the class clown and getting everyone riled up. A little disobedience mixed in there too. Sigh.
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