School

Homeschool is coming along. Homeschool is pretty set but I need to find a microscope for some of the things we have to do in biology.

All the kids are settling into their classes, except for Benjamin. He is having some struggles. The class is divided into tables. At his table he had a kid who told him he was fancy pants every time he talked. It really bothered Benjamin and his teacher moved him. Then there was another kid who had "attitude and anger issues" (Benjamin's words). The kid would bang on their table and throw things.

One day Benjamin started crying about school and cried and cried. He had a huge list of reasons why he doesn't like school. First it is too long (they have 7 hours of class time with no naps), he doesn't like all the standing around, he is annoyed by the kids who hold up the line thus making big gaps, he doesn't like the food (so I pack him a lunch), the playground is too small and they aren't allowed on the grass, he is thirsty after going out and they only get to count to three when they drink, he doesn't like art (it is boring) and he doesn't like gym. His biggest complaint is that school is too long and he doesn't get home until almost dinner time. Honestly, for kindergarten I would rather they did half day but I haven't told him that. He does like his teacher and library time.

The next day when I picked him up he was in a much better mood. He said that the child with attitude and anger issues was moved from the classroom and a sweet girl was put in his place. After talking I realize how much that child was impacting Benjamin.

I posted on my Facebook about the incident and I had a mother with a child with special needs upset because she thinks that inclusion has been great for her child. OK, two points, I don't know if this child had special needs or not, a 5 year olds perception of attitude and anger issues may just be a child who is defiant or simply not ready for kindergarten. Second, placing a child with special needs in a class with no one being aware of it is unfair to everyone involved.

I have a master in special education and I do believe that inclusion can be a very good thing. However, everyone needs to be prepared for the inclusion and the kids need to be aware of what to expect. If this child had special needs then he should have been evaluated years ago. This is a pet peeve of mine. If you are struggling with your child have them evaluated. Services are free. There are services from birth up until they turn 3, then after 3 they are evaluated by the school and if qualified they attend school for free. That way when they start kindergarten they are not placed in a situation where no one is prepared. Actually if they start services early they may not need help by time they start school.

That is the playground that 45 kids play on at one time. I had to laugh, he said that we have more play equipment at home. That is the grass they can't play on. Really, how do 45 kids play there?

Really, his biggest complaint these days is that the day is too long. So say a little prayer for my boy that he will come to love school. He has a long way to go in school!