Parent/Teacher Conference

Last blog session, I mentioned that Andrew and his classmates spent the week testing, in order, to see how the students were meeting the state/national benchmark requirements. Wednesday, Mrs. Bidiman and I met (Andrew had Boy Scouts) to discuss the results. I know I sound like a broken record, but I am so proud of him…not because he is succeeding but how he is thriving and growing in his environment. One of the best things she told me was that he is very self-sufficient. Which I believe, is a crucial characteristic for personal development. She walked me through two very detailed papers, outlining all the different areas they are required to learn. She began by saying that, he is already above grade level because of his age…but for her purposes she has graded him as if he was a “of-age” third grader.

He easily meets all the requirements for writing, science, social studies, and geography. He exceeds grade level in his reading and spelling. She tested him with a fourth grade math test and he is well above the state/national standards. (we won’t go into what I think of the nation’s standards) What is beautiful about this picture is that there is no strain in how he manages his learning. He maneuvers the classroom and his homework responsibilities with ease and a surprising eagerness. He does have a mathematical mind and an incredible memory. This makes spelling, math, science and the other subjects naturally easy for him. This is why I believe so adamantly that he must be inspired at his level. It would be a huge disservice to him to hold him back, bored and unchallenged, just because of his age. And from his teacher, to the play ground monitor to his own exuberance to go to school…all confirm, he is thriving socially as well.

The area that we are going to explore is writing. Writing is such a comprehensive activity and requires counsel and practice. We will start with creating once great sentence a day and see what happens.

I personally don’t care what grade he is in or what the two pieces of paper say, as long as school doesn’t ruin Andrew’s innate love for learning. Mrs. Bidiman is skilled at allowing Andrew to follow his interests, as well as creating an environment that is teaches to his learning style. She also is very structured and creative in her ways to promote independence…a great combination for Drew. I see my role as the link between what he learns at school and the fun application of that information to real world. (Steve has been an invaluable aid in this quest.) Showing him that what he is learning is necessary, valuable, and applicable…and the source for freedom, choice and enjoyment. Even this morning over breakfast we were talking about the major rivers of North America…one of them is the McKenzie River that runs West, right through Alaska...it freezes from October to June….I wish I could describe the pleasure he gets from conversations like this…it is my prayer that the bright light in his eyes for the wonders of the world never fades.