Today was my daughter's first day of fourth grade. She's in a Montessori program, so this meant new teacher, new class and even a new floor in her school building. She is comfortable in her school building, so even with a week of bad dreams, she went to school an enthusiastic learner today. Why is this an example for blogging - because tonight was her first night of upper elementary homework and while I admit I sighed a few times, I have been grinning for hours!
It can be extremely challenging to know what your children are doing during the school day. As a teacher and administrator, I get how much trust is in our hands. As a parent, I remind the teacher/admin in me every day! I don't get the same types of communications from my daughters' school that I know we send home from ours - but we're a "niche" school. A school my daughter very well could have needed to save herself from the educational system - but we've been fortunate.
Our daughters' teachers are willing and able to support creative learning and unique personalities. . . they meet the standards for curriculum and the standards for making good people.
How do I know what my kids do in school? How do I know they are learning in their public school? Because I watched her collecting leaves tonight for 25 minutes as we walked our dog and the whole time, she was telling me all about what she was collecting and what Mr. H said about them today. Today. Her first day of the school year. Her first science class with this teacher ever. Her first day with a new class up on the upper elementary floor.
Is she learning in school? What is she learning in school? First and foremost, she is learning that she is a valuable human being who is safe in her learning. God bless her teachers!!!
