Wordless Weekend
Month: June 2012
This is where it gets tricky.
Some of you might remember the post I wrote, “No Good Deed Goes Unpunished: When School Volunteering Goes Wrong. It generated a bunch of comments. It’s by far the worst—and last– tangle I’ve had with Willows School politics.
So, when an Evite popped up on my screen inviting my family to the 5th grade end of year pool party, imagine my delight disgust as soon as I saw the host. Its HER. The grandmother mom who still can’t look at me or speak to me after four years. Of course, I practically run when I see her, lest you think I’m smiling and waving hello.
I hit the delete button, but not before emailing the Evite to my husband with a “hell no” on the message. “Who else would want to do it?” came his reply.
Of course, I understand why this particular family is hosting this party. First, you must have a pool and yard large enough to hold kids from two classes (about 50 kids). You’ve also got to be willing to pay for it. And hire a lifeguard. And, most importantly, be willing to deal with the machinations behind private school gatherings.
What’s not necessary is to be on speaking terms with all the families in your grade. That obviously isn’t required to host this event.
Now that we have a pool, maybe I’ll offer to host next year!
Sometimes Having Kids In School Only Makes You Lonelier by Jessica Gottlieb
Here’s an honest and insightful post by LA mom blogger, Jessica Gottlieb. If you’ve found yourself at a school where its hard to make friends with other moms, read this piece! I can definitely relate to it.
http://jessicagottlieb.com/2012/06/sometimes-having-kids-in-school-only-makes-you-lonlier/
Wordless Weekend
An Unusually Vexing Homework Assignment At The Willows School
Not long ago, my 5th grade daughter came upstairs and said in a shaky voice that she needed help with her homework, due the next day. This isn’t her usual pattern or demeanor. Normally, she goes into her room and does her homework, popping out if she has a question. So, when I saw her face, I knew she wanted help with the assignment.
“I have to memorize the Preamble to the Declaration Of Independence,” she said in a quivering voice. Handing me a paper with the Preamble on it, she said she needed to understand its words before she could memorize it. The class is studying the American Revolution so the assignment fit with the theme she’s been working on. What didn’t fit was the rote memorization aspect of the homework.
I was reminded why we chose The Willows for our kids. I’ve written about homework previously. The teaching style is incredibly creative and inspiring, using big concepts and ideas to help kids learn. Memorizing is used to support an assignment, not for its own sake or to “make work.” Of course, this was a very worthy homework assignment. It was just atypical for our school. Thankfully, my daughter isn’t used to the type of endless memorization I grew up with.
We sat together on the bed and went though the incredible Preamble, line by line. I explained each premise and we talked about how America is unique and unduplicated because of the Declaration of Independence. I explained the concept of “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.” Thinking about it gave me chills. It is carefully nuanced and profound. It is, at once, both simple and stunningly complex. Imperfect, but as close to perfect as any country has come. This document has powered through the decades, helping define who we are as a nation.
Despite my daughter’s uneasiness with the assignment, I loved sitting with her talking about the history of our country, written in antiquated language we no longer use, but whose eloquence and brilliance still guides our founding principles.
The next morning, my daughter woke up and asked to recite the Preamble. In a sing-song voice, she nailed it. Off to school we went.
After school, I asked her how the test went. “Great” she said as if the previous night had been unnecessary. That’s my girl!