Alex has really been progressing since he started Kindergarten. I have always been so impressed with his knowledge, memory, ingenuity, and overall curiosity in all subject matters. Imagine my surprise in a few situations...
1. Parent-Teacher Conferences: Alex's teacher told us how wonderful he is and was going over how he recognizes all of his letters, but needs to work on a few of his letter sounds (specifically 'W,' which he wants to sound out like a 'D' because of the 'doubleu' name). She then went on to say how much he really loves math but that he can only count to '39' and needs to work on counting to 120 by the end of the year. At first, I was like OK...and then all of sudden, it hit me. "Huh...Excuse Me? Alex can only count to 39?" For those of you who really know Alex, you know this not to be a true statement at all. The kid loves to count and at times ENDLESSLY counts...especially in the car. Trust me...He can count to almost 200 and could probably could keep going if he thought someone was actually paying attention to him. I asked him to count for me the very next day and he went all the way to 149 before getting bored with himself...When I asked him why he only counted to 39 for his teacher...He said "I don't know...I guess I didn't feel like counting." Are you kidding me? Is this the beginning? This kid just might kill me.
2. Report Card: Alex received a great report card yesterday! I was beginning to think that maybe they didn't get report cards in Kindergarten...It seems like the first day of Kindergarten was years ago now. Despite its greatness, I was surprised yet again. His teacher included a list of sight words that he does and doesn't recognize. It was based off the same list she gave us a few weeks ago to work on with Alex. Like a good parent/student, I made him flash cards and we have been working on them with him over the past few weeks. Imagine my surprise when I noticed that he 'did not recognize' words that I knew for sure that he does 'recognize.' We went through the flash cards again last night and he was nailing words left and right...Knowing clearly more than what he evidently wanted to show his teacher. He was still struggling with his 'wh' words, but that I would have expected on the list. I asked him..."Why didn't you say the words for your teacher?" And he said..."I don't know...I guess I didn't feel like reading them." Are you kidding me??
Well, now I'm left wondering...Is he doing this to put me in an early grave? Is there some peer pressure involved? Or, is he just more interested in doing what is going on across the room rather than showing his teacher what his true skills are? I don't know...Only time will tell, I suppose. But, in the meantime, I again had a talk with Alex about always doing his best...especially when his teacher is doing testing!!! Ahhhhhhhh!!!!!!
P.S. Alex's report card did confirm, however, that he can count past 39. He counted for his teacher to 115 just before she did report cards...Still, I was a little disappointed! He can count so much higher than that! Why can't he just show her? Oh, she has to test 24 kids?? I guess it is probable that she cut him off! :)
Homemade Peppermint Oreos
