Alan & Brenda Leonard

> entered school after homeschooling, many
> of my colleagues just couldn't wait to point out all the poor student's
> "deficiencies." Much catty talk ensued about how "those people" are ruining
> their children's lives, so I understand your dread.

My son went to school this year and is making it hard for all those kind of
teachers because he's NOT what they expect a homeschooled kid to be. He
gets along with kids of all different ages and is way ahead of his age peers
academically. They just decided to move him up a grade so he'd be
challenged more.

Tim is really liking school, but he knows he doesn't have to be there and
that I don't give a darn about his grades. So far, he's gone every day but
one when we went to the art museum instead, and today, because he's got the
flu. And he's done most all the work, although he refused to color the
train cars according to the instructions after doing the math problems
inside them. The teacher threatened him with a poor grade if he didn't
color them and he told her he didn't care and I wouldn't care, either.

That earned me a phone call from the teacher, who was unpleasantly surprised
to learn that Tim was right that I didn't care, and that I thought
worksheets are a poor way to teach children anything. His new teacher
doesn't believe in worksheets and thinks children need lots of opportunities
to learn by doing. I think we'll get along just fine.

Sandra, don't fear Holly going to school. There really are some good
teachers out there who are fun and challenging and she might get lucky and
have someone like that. Or she could get by the books, worksheet-happy
teachers and last about 3 days. Either way, she'll be fine because she has
parents that love and support her, and don't value her based on grades or
school status.

Brenda