Lately the girls have been really trying to wiggle their way out of school.  I’ve asked them every single question in the book:

Are you being bullied?

Is someone picking on you?

Is someone being mean?

Is it not fun? 

The answer would be D, none of the above.  I was surprised to hear Vannah tell me that school was boring.  Considering the fact that there’s a lot of weight placed on education in the house, I was very upset. 

So, I’m not going to let it get the best of me, or of Vannah.  Here’s my plan of action:

1.  I’m going to contact their teacher:  I don’t think she has anything to do with it; as a matter of fact, I absolutely adore her and the assistants in the school.  They all really go above and beyond and perhaps someone will have some ideas so we can get to the root of the problem.

2.  No more watching cartoons or playing while you’re sick.  Sick people stay in bed.  It’s important to get rest when you don’t feel well.

3.  We’ll still work on our sight words and other misc. school work while we’re at home.  It’s magical that you feel well enough to ask me to play Wii, yet don’t feel good enough to hit the books. 

4.  If necessary, I’ll seek professional assistance.  I know that kids react in different ways when a parent deploys, but nonetheless, I want school to be both positive and fun for the girls.  They’re going to be doing this for awhile, so they may as well like it!!

Do your kids try to get out of school?  If so, how and why?  What do you do about it? Please share with me!!

Since the girls are in kindergarten, they’ve just gotten their first report cards.  I am fairly pleased with their progress, but was left with some questions.  Not questions about their teacher, but about them.

They’re given a knowledge test to see which letters, numbers, and words they know and recognize.  Mallory did a little better than Savannah, but I think it’s because at this point in time Mallory is more interested in school as an academic experience while Vannah seems to be treating it as more of a social experience .

I was a bit disappointed in Vannah to be frankly honest.  There were words on which she was tested that I KNOW she knows.  There were numbers on there that I know she can recognize.  It’s just a bit frustrating to see that she’s not performing to her full potential and I don’t quite understand why.  Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t believe that kindergarten is the end all of their academic careers, but on the same token I don’t want Vannah’s slackness, when it comes to academics, to become a habit.

So in addition to working on sight words every night, I’ve now started having them read an extra book every morning.  In addition, I took that progress report that was included with her report card and made flash cards out of the numbers, letters, and words that she had difficulty recognizing.  I don’t think it’s lack of ability with Vannah, I think it’s lack of interest and motivation.  So with both girls, I’m trying to encourage some positive motivation and competition here.  If we learn two sight words a week, we get to pick out a treat.  This way, they have something to work towards and look forward to.  Whomever does their homework right the first time gets a special treat for the night (i.e. 15 minutes of game playing or being excused from a chore.)

How do you encourage your kids to perform at their best when it comes to academics? Please, share your tips and tricks below.  This is yet another uncharted territory for me and I’d love to hear what you have to say!