tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83995894561612427.post6461741530353206805..comments2023-07-02T06:58:58.956-04:00Comments on The New Norm: Miss LethargicKeyonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04875993010376385468noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83995894561612427.post-54965027052466033922010-02-18T08:05:44.962-05:002010-02-18T08:05:44.962-05:00Lethargic seems to be a bit of an exaggeration. I ...Lethargic seems to be a bit of an exaggeration. I think I would reserve the word "lethargic" for older folk and not a six year old. What is wrong with this teacher??Sarah Faderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00130247223287762814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83995894561612427.post-88091256305672020292010-02-17T20:39:33.388-05:002010-02-17T20:39:33.388-05:00No, I didn't punish her, but I just laid it on...No, I didn't punish her, but I just laid it on the line for her...either she gets to work or she fails first grade while her friends move on. Between that and her teacher encouraging her but NOT babying her, she got the picture. Don't get me wrong, even though she's a ton better, there are still times when she steers off course. For instance, last year they had their first standardized tests she just thought they were for fun and scored OK, but no where near her potential. We had to talk about those as well. She re-took them this year and her scores were much, much higher, even placing her in a different reading class. Now she is starting to get the message!Gibbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04271264528110884129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83995894561612427.post-42823251000712768502010-02-17T15:00:31.126-05:002010-02-17T15:00:31.126-05:00Miss D. has a hard time finishing things in a time...Miss D. has a hard time finishing things in a timely manner. She is so easily distracted. Sigh.<br /><br />I'm glad you got on it immediately though. It sounds like she just thinks testing is boring. Which of course, it is! But you are right, she needs to know that it's important.TKWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16409505008377005185noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83995894561612427.post-39996415293015159272010-02-17T14:12:44.172-05:002010-02-17T14:12:44.172-05:00I think you're right to tell her the consequen...I think you're right to tell her the consequences...I'm a teacher and kids are babied WAY too much...so it's good to be truthful with them. A little fear never hurt anyone!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83995894561612427.post-28357822246493777722010-02-17T12:50:45.192-05:002010-02-17T12:50:45.192-05:00How wonderful that Lael's teacher is working w...How wonderful that Lael's teacher is working with you this way. <br /><br />Lael's nonchalant response hit home for me. My daughter is the same way. If you don't mind, please post updates on this as they happen. Something tells me I'll need to start taking notes.ckhttp://badmommymoments.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83995894561612427.post-16405154093317298372010-02-17T12:28:26.342-05:002010-02-17T12:28:26.342-05:00I had similar issues with my (now) second grader l...I had similar issues with my (now) second grader last year. I think he got so used to everything being pretty easy in Kindergarten that when it came time to put some effort into his school lessons, he'd take the "I'd-rather-not" route. Yeah... that didn't sit well with me, and he was told in no uncertain terms that behavior was to stop immediately. At least Lael's teacher is keeping the lines of communication open. That's monumentally helpful! Let us know how she did! :)Rebecca Cameronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09031768351478418177noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83995894561612427.post-11972099764567721022010-02-17T10:36:45.780-05:002010-02-17T10:36:45.780-05:00Glad the teacher was responsive. I'm sure she...Glad the teacher was responsive. I'm sure she did just fine.The Four Week Veganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05918125122540151717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83995894561612427.post-84554012672805915432010-02-17T09:50:20.419-05:002010-02-17T09:50:20.419-05:00Maybe try explaining to Lael what these tests are ...Maybe try explaining to Lael what these tests are meant to do-- i.e., to see if she is ready for 2nd grade, ready to learn new things. If she doesn't take the tests seriously, the teachers might think she needs to re-learn things (that she actually already knows!)... Good luck. She is a smart girl. She just needs to understand.Buckeroomamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02408502555249594576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83995894561612427.post-91686225404919171482010-02-17T09:18:22.034-05:002010-02-17T09:18:22.034-05:00Lindy, I know. I didn't want to scare her with...Lindy, I know. I didn't want to scare her with what could happen but I wanted her to UNDERSTAND. I hope she got it. <br /><br />Gibby, what did you do to get her to understand that the tests are important? Did you punish her or take away things if she didn't do her best?Keyonahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04875993010376385468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83995894561612427.post-53845867084930390312010-02-17T09:07:37.991-05:002010-02-17T09:07:37.991-05:00I had this problem with my oldest when she was in ...I had this problem with my oldest when she was in first grade. Turns out that it wasn't that she didn't know the stuff, but that she just didn't feel like doing the work and taking tests because it didn't deal with fairies or animals or anything pertaining to Disney. She never got the memo that tests are important and she is being GRADED on her work. If it wasn't important to her, she didn't give it her proper attention. <br /><br />She has gotten much better about it and even though she still hates taking time doing things such as math, she knows there are consequences if she doesn't do her best. Not from me, but from her teacher...she hates letting down her teacher. <br /><br />First grade is definitely an adjustment!!Gibbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04271264528110884129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83995894561612427.post-88795200555815440912010-02-17T08:52:42.183-05:002010-02-17T08:52:42.183-05:00I was just telling a friend yesterday that I think...I was just telling a friend yesterday that I think we "protect" our kids too much. They deserve to know, in kid friendly manner, of course, the consequences of their actions.<br /><br />Cause and effect....<br /><br />I don't think it's a good idea to hammer on the negatives but she should at least know. Especially if she CAN do the work but doesn't WANT to or doesn't FEEL like it - which is what it sounds like.Lindyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01001887689493380499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83995894561612427.post-17384777254244985042010-02-17T08:40:13.471-05:002010-02-17T08:40:13.471-05:00Wow Heather, thanks. That sounds just like her. ...Wow Heather, thanks. That sounds just like her. She loves to talk and is the sweetest kid. She can do the work and THAT'S what's frustrating. If she couldn't do it that would be a whole other issue. I just don't know if holding her back is the answer or if I should just work to keep her focused!Keyonahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04875993010376385468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83995894561612427.post-30426700470109739092010-02-17T08:37:00.905-05:002010-02-17T08:37:00.905-05:00I've always thought that you have a bright gir...I've always thought that you have a bright girl on your hands. I still think that. <br /><br />Lael says and does things beyond her years. I'm wondering if she struggles more with HOW things are done (tests, etc) rather than with actually understanding the content. <br /><br />I was in "special" reading and math classes starting in second grade. I didn't always stay behind, but the thing for me was that I kind of shut down at school. I was more comfortable at home and my parents couldn't figure out why I struggled off and on at school. I was also TOTALLY distracted by socializing. I EXCELLED at the stuff school teaches you about relationships and life. I was wise beyond my years when it came to communication, empathy, giving, sharing, compromising, etc. <br /><br />I'm telling you all of that because I have a hunch your smart girl DOES know her stuff, she just struggles with random testing, if that makes sense. Maybe she's going one direction in her head and heart and then all of the sudden "sit down, Lael, you're behind so you need to catch up by answering these questions correctly." I know it needs to be done, and I think you and her teacher are doing right by her, I'm just suggesting that maybe she gets thrown off sometimes. <br /><br />WOW. LONG COMMENT. Sorry friend. Hope I made sense. I'm tired :)Heather of the EOhttp://www.extraordinary-ordinary.comnoreply@blogger.com