Back to School

We are 2 days into the Back to School routine and things are running smoothly.  We’ve had a warm “welcome back” at the old school.  Max was SO excited on his first day!  His new schools supplies made him very happy.  He’s in class with kiddos that were in his preschool class and all welcomed him back, happily.  Tristan seems like he never left.  He’s fallen right back in with old friends and his work habits are on track.  I’m  so proud to see him get back into his old routine; after-school snack, chores, homework, dinner, reading, bed.  There was so little homework at the public school, that I was seeing his work-ethic fall away.  He started asking to be on the computer, play with friends, etc.  My kids stay on-track best, with a full and solid routine.  

Max is having to learn what homework really means and the importance of sitting down each night and getting  it done.  This class is quiet a bit farther along than the class he was in.  He has a spelling test on Friday, which means, handwriting must be in order, letters must all be recognized, sight reading has been covered and letter blends are recognized.  This is a far cry from what was happening in his last class.  Luckily, our biggest challenge is the handwriting.  He’s able to sound out words and recognizes his letters and their sounds.  He’s got to learn organizational skills and responsibility for his work and things.  It’s just truly amazing what’s instilled at the private school versus the public school.  I know that this isn’t the case everywhere and that many of you can stand up for your schooling choices and talk about the good things your kids are getting and learning.  All I can talk to is what I have seen having had my kids in both places.  All of my kids have gone to public school at some point and when they’ve moved to the private school, the very same skills were lacking in each kiddo; handwriting and spelling, responsibility and organization.  I’ve had kids move schools in kindergarten, 2nd grade and 5th grade and no matter the age, it was those same skills that were lacking.  

So, I’ve got my work cut out for me in helping Max get up to speed.  I have no doubt he’ll do just fine.  But, it all makes me a more hands-on parent with the homework.  Its’ good! 

Have a great day~

This entry was posted on January 7, 2009 at 8:58 am and is filed under children, kids, mom, school, schooling. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site.