Our state's cut-off date is August 31st; incoming kindergarteners must be five before the deadline. My daughter's fifth birthday rolls around just a few weeks later, rendering her ineligible for K at local private and public schools. It doesn't matter that she is socially, emotionally, and academically ready for K-level work - you're either old enough, or not. She, ... is not.
Doesn't matter much, though, since she's homeschooled. We do kindergarten work to her abilities and interests, and she'll have completed a K-level curriculum before she qualifies for official entry into the grade next year. That part doesn't bother me so much, as it's part of the reason why we homeschool: flexibility.
What's been on my mind more is the social labeling. If I call her K now, she's likely to graduate high school at an old 16, newly 17. She'll always be the youngest in her class -- at government school if she ever transfers in, but also at sports and faith classes. Many of her friends are entering K this year, so part of me wants to let her stay in the same grade level as they are -- not just because she's at the same intellectual level as they are, but because they're her peers right now.
I don't know. I still haven't decided. I tell her that (for now) she's K5. We start our new school year in September/October, which is when her birthday falls; we'll play it by ear this year and decide at the end if we want to consider it her official K year OR if we'll graduate from K5 up to "real" Kindergarten for the 2011-2012 school year.
My son is the oldest, and loves it. Their dad was the youngest, and hated it. We have another year before we have to worry about church groups and whatnot, so for now ... we're being vague. I never realized how much stupid stuff there was to obsess over LOL.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Lessons, Lessons, Everywhere.
Elizabeth and I were at the Butterfly Exhibit today.
Like many homeschooling parents, I perhaps exploited the situation a bit and tried to up its Educational Value. I paid $16 for the experience, why not get some bang for my buck - right?
We spent a few minutes in complete awe just appreciating how beautiful the Conservatory was, and how amazing it was to see God's handiwork fluttering all around us. Then the questions began. Good grief, the questions this kid had; I reminded her it was a humid environment, and she had better pause for breath before she passed out!
We whipped out our handy, dandy brochure that the volunteers shared with us upon our arrival. Using it, we were able to identify several butterflies, and one gigantic moth. The flora were labelled well enough that I could answer Elizabeth's questions about what each was named, and where they had originated.
To me, we were just doing what we do. She asks, I answer.
Oh but then we came across this most obnoxious family. The mother was so loudspoken, the kids were all wild and not loving the whizzing by of the butterflies (I felt badly for the son, actually, who seemed genuinely afraid). She kept quizzing them about every. single. freaking. detail about what they saw ... and even what they WEREN'T seeing!! "What kind of butterfly is this, find it on your paper."
She paused long enough to catch her breath, but not long enough for an answer to be given!
"What was the butterfly before it was a butterfly?"
"What do you call the house it makes for itself?"
"What is the difference between a moth and a butterfly?"
It was like rapid-fire, one right after the other. Loudly, too, did I mention that part? Sheesh! I see what she was doing. Too many people, I think, don't engage their kids like that. She was doing the same thing I was ~ taking advantage of a teaching opportunity (if, perhaps, a bit more loudly.) But gosh, the only thing I took away from that whole episode was wondering how many times I have been that annoying adult. Fortunately Thomas wasn't with us, or he'd have been happy to tell me!
Elizabeth and I shared a look and a giggle, then moved along to another (quieter) part of the exhibit. When we had settled near a pond, she asked me to name the plant in front of her. It was all I could do to tell her, "Who cares. Let's just appreciate the view this time."
She laughed; we did. And I learned more than butterflies, moths, plants and trees today at the Exhibit!
Like many homeschooling parents, I perhaps exploited the situation a bit and tried to up its Educational Value. I paid $16 for the experience, why not get some bang for my buck - right?
We spent a few minutes in complete awe just appreciating how beautiful the Conservatory was, and how amazing it was to see God's handiwork fluttering all around us. Then the questions began. Good grief, the questions this kid had; I reminded her it was a humid environment, and she had better pause for breath before she passed out!
We whipped out our handy, dandy brochure that the volunteers shared with us upon our arrival. Using it, we were able to identify several butterflies, and one gigantic moth. The flora were labelled well enough that I could answer Elizabeth's questions about what each was named, and where they had originated.
To me, we were just doing what we do. She asks, I answer.
Oh but then we came across this most obnoxious family. The mother was so loudspoken, the kids were all wild and not loving the whizzing by of the butterflies (I felt badly for the son, actually, who seemed genuinely afraid). She kept quizzing them about every. single. freaking. detail about what they saw ... and even what they WEREN'T seeing!! "What kind of butterfly is this, find it on your paper."
She paused long enough to catch her breath, but not long enough for an answer to be given!
"What was the butterfly before it was a butterfly?"
"What do you call the house it makes for itself?"
"What is the difference between a moth and a butterfly?"
It was like rapid-fire, one right after the other. Loudly, too, did I mention that part? Sheesh! I see what she was doing. Too many people, I think, don't engage their kids like that. She was doing the same thing I was ~ taking advantage of a teaching opportunity (if, perhaps, a bit more loudly.) But gosh, the only thing I took away from that whole episode was wondering how many times I have been that annoying adult. Fortunately Thomas wasn't with us, or he'd have been happy to tell me!
Elizabeth and I shared a look and a giggle, then moved along to another (quieter) part of the exhibit. When we had settled near a pond, she asked me to name the plant in front of her. It was all I could do to tell her, "Who cares. Let's just appreciate the view this time."
She laughed; we did. And I learned more than butterflies, moths, plants and trees today at the Exhibit!
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