No snow day... odd. It was a blizzard out with barely any visibility. And yet we had to go to school (2 hour delay) because Christina had an award's assembly.
She received an award in Literacy. I really had a problem with the whole thing because children whose parents don't work with them will never get awards. They're high achievement awards. It breeds competitiveness. I know 3 months ago when she didn't get one she was crushed. (You can only get an award 1 time a year) The whole assembly was to have students cheer for one another and support each other, but I thought it could be done in other ways.
I love how Christina is always so friendly. The girls were very excited and giving each other high fives. It was funny because at least 6 LDS kids got awards. Most of them I teach in Primary.
Christina got another great report card. I loathe the point system though. Her math is a joke. She does really well, but there are no manipulatives, it's all worksheets. They have this thing where they draw circles around D, P, N for dimes, pennies, and nickels and it's totally abstract. They aren't actually learning about coin value because where is the coin? I have a lot of work to do on break. Anyways, in a classroom of 21 6-7 year olds, dumb mistakes will be made. I know my daughter pays attention, but for example on 2 different papers she missed 4 points because she didn't come up with her own example. She just didn't know that's what she was supposed to do. The instructions weren't clear to her.
I really feel like if she takes the time to correct her mistakes that the points should be given back. Isn't that how Heavenly Father works? I worry, because I know she loves school, but she always says her favorite part of the day is recess.
Also, she was given a 3.8 in characteristics of writing which is a total load. I'll show some examples of her writings at home to show why. Again, being judged on worksheets instead of the actual talent. I was volunteering in the class and on a "creative" writing assignment she was the only child able to write out her complete story with excellent spelling. And that's a 3.8? Grades are pathetic. Portfolios are the way to go. Student progress verses a number.
Sigh. I wish homeschooling was more of an often. However, in the long run, I really believe learning how to work with other children and the social aspect is
critical. She's being given many opportunities in school to help lower performing children, be an example, and just learn more of compassion. What do I want for my child? To go out into the world and make it a better place. Yes, I want her happiness. But I know that true happiness comes from losing one's self to better another. So, as I stare at a report card that tells me nothing, that attempts to show me my daughter's academic worth, I decide I want to burn it. Her knowledge isn't determined by worksheets. Her learning is more.
