When I sent Max to Kindergarten a month or so ago I had no doubt he was ready. In fact it seemed he had been "ready" for years. What I didn't know was exactly how that "readiness" would translate into his performance and perception as a student at school. Max is a very smart boy, but not "showy smart" like Reed. People could always recognize that Reed was smart because he has such a great memory, knows lots of stuff and readily shares all of his stored information. Max on the other hand is smart in a way that only becomes obvious when you take the time to notice.
Max has also always been my Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde as far as behavior is concerned and I wasn't sure which one would show up in the classroom. He can be ridiculously polite, sweet, kind and thoughtful. I have thought before that if you could make it on adorableness Max would be set for life. On the other hand he has also been known to be relentlessly stubborn, sometimes making his wishes known only in the form of a glorious fit.
During the first few weeks of school I waited anxiously, curious to know which direction things would head for him. My answer came sooner than I anticipated when Max came home after the first few weeks of school with a notice that he would honored at a special lunch assembly for receiving the "Character Counts" award for the month of September, selected from his class for being an example of good character. When I asked Max if he knew why he was chosen he said, "I don't know. I guess because I always follow direction." His teacher later elaborated that Max is always eager to do the right thing and reaches out to help others who need it.
Max was so excited when we came to eat with him at his awards presentation.
Of course he chose a Lunchable as his "special lunch".
The proud recipient.
Ruby-- doing everything she can to keep the attention on her.
The other part of my question was answered a few days later when I got an e-mail from Max's teacher letting me know how well his was doing. She had just done the reading assessments and wanted let me know that Max had tested far beyond anyone else in her class. She was emailing to get my permission for Max to join a special enrichment group with 3 other Kindergartners from other classrooms who were also reading on the same level. I was thrilled and overwhelmed with feelings of gratitude that my prayers had been answered that his teachers had taken the time to see what a capable boy he was. I was also so proud of all the effort Max has put into learning. Reading came unusually easy to Reed, but Max really worked at it and I absolutely love that about him. I knew his academic achievements had come from both natural ability and lots of determined effort.
Max is now doing great in his enrichment class and has continued to make great strides as he is challenged. The other afternoon while I was helping Reed with his homework Max asked if it mattered who he did his out loud reading to. I told him it didn't matter and naturally assumed he would be reading to Ruby.
I was wrong. Now Monkey know a lot more about George Washington.
Wow...I've posted 3 days in a row. Is it too early to say I'm on a roll?
1 comment:
You are a SUPER kid, Max and a SUPER student. I wish you went to my school so you could be a good example for the Gant Gators and help them. I love you!
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