Part of the picture shaping yesterday's existential funk, had nothing to do with matter or molecule or the meaning of being, but was the landscape of more ordinary concern.
Over this one.
Here he is, cute as all get out, getting the very chic Kindergarten Graduate button applied to his little lapel.
Here he is doing what he does best at school: instead of paying attention, he's trying to chat up the cute blond next door!
The Matron has admitted -- more than once -- concern over Merrick's complete disinterest in the all important Word. Books are made for stacking, climbing and conquering in the physical sense.
Imagine the following taking place against a backdrop of weaponry, dog assault, gymnastics, and the all time favorite
(and THE 'push Mama's buttons' game) The Pummeling Thrashing Fighting Brothers.
"Merrick! Could I read this new library book to you? Look at the cool firetruck on the cover."
"Merrick! Did you see this cool book I bought you? Wow! I can't stand it, this is so funny."
"Merrick! Do you want to snuggle on the couch and read for awhile? With cookies? Candy?"
"Merrick. I'll give you $5 if you sit here and read a book with me."
This child -- as children will do, Free Will and all that damn it -- is not adhering to the Family Narrative, regarding narrative!
But the Matron is pretending that she's all sanguine and 'it's just a matter of time' and not concerned about her youngest's anti-academic bent. The disinterest in reading extends to the general field of School, except for gym, lunch and recess. Whereas the Matron has never been able to LEAVE school for more than a summer. Sometimes she reads French Feminist Semioticians, just for fun!
Remember the
glory days, academics in the room?
Sweet digression. . .
So while the Matron is trying to be sanguine and to see the Life Lesson in being allotted her polar opposite as a child, she got her son's teacher assignment for the next THREE YEARS. In their public Montessori classroom, students are in the same room with the same teacher for three years. It's a lovely mix of ages and creates a great community, providing you get the right teacher for your child.
Here she needs to tread carefully because she's not quite sure who's reading.
So let's say, hypothetically, that your child is assigned to a teacher who you believe is NOT a good fit for your child? Let's also flesh out this Scenario and pretend that your older two children scream in terror of said teacher assignment and also Protest: Bad Match. This is a teacher who is the only one out of the bunch that you felt would NOT work out. Not because he/she is a bad teacher (far from it) but there is that Matronly Mama Maternal Gut Level Radar beeping in the worst way.
Sigh . . . .
Let's also say you have a reputation for serving the greater good in that school and being willing to follow the rules -- not one of the parents who stand up and scream: ME, ME, ME and my child!!! Pretend that your child and family are a welcome addition to a classroom that might need an influx of new blood and parental involvement.
Moving a child out of an assigned Montessori classroom -- in this school's culture -- is no easy task.
What would you do, readers? Make the fuss up front and start the process now? Or give the teacher and his/her classroom, a chance?
The Matron feels the stakes here are high, as her guy needs to
turn around his beliefs about the unpalatable nature of school rather than having that view reinforced.
