I started writing this back in May, in the waiting room of the pediatric dentist, while Connor was getting one cavity filled and getting sealant applied to his other two permanent back molars. Boy still needs to be more vigilant about brushing; I had hoped getting a cavity filled would be a lesson to him. Alas, not so much.
But I was going to talk about first grade.
It’s so fascinating to look at the difference between the beginning of the year and the end; we don’t notice the changes as they’re happening, but then we look back at pictures of Connor not even a year ago, and it’s crazy how much he’s grown and changed.
The glasses are an obvious change. Perhaps less obvious are changes like his independence, his improved perseverance, and his growing ability to shake off failure and disappointment.
I don’t make it a habit to talk about other people’s private business on my blog, not even my son’s (very much). Still, it’s worth noting that this was the year that we really dug into Connor’s behavioral challenges and found out what works to keep him engaged. He still has some trouble following directions and staying focused on tasks, but he definitely improved over the course of the year.
He continued to excel in reading and math, and his grades improved steadily each grading period this year. He fought a constant battle with boredom, but his teacher (fresh out of college) did a great job with ramping up his classwork to keep him challenged without being overwhelmed, and giving him the space he needed to keep his behavior in check.
His teacher for next year is known to be a stickler for discipline and routine — which is why he was placed with her. That’s what he needs. She knows what Connor’s challenges and strengths are, and I’m hopeful that she’ll be able to bring out the best in him and push him to push himself.
I’m looking forward to seeing what next year brings.