This year, R's 'struggle subject' has been Spanish. He has a 'struggle subject' every year. Last year it was writing. The year before that, math. He struggles, he breaks through, and he blooms afterward.
We've been hunkering down for a long, seige-like approach to Spanish. Each time we've had a 'Struggle Subject' in the past, it's taken most of the school year to fix it.
So, imagine my surprise to hear last night that R had his breakthrough yesterday in Spanish. He not only participated in the 'championship' competitions, but he won. Twice. And he served up the first defeat ever to the reigning undefeated kid! R came home full of pride and motivation for the study of Spanish. In three weeks he transformed himself from and 'F' grade to a contender for the head of the class.
THEN we went to Boy Scouts.
A large group of Webelos visited Troop 22 last night. When it came time to line up for the flag ceremony, R, a first year, was surprised to find that the senior troop leadership picked him to act as Patrol Leader for most of the Webelos. He stood there, at the front of the line of scouts, with a look on his face that said 'how did I get here?' And he dutifully paid attention to the proceedings - not his habit when he hides in the crowd. In the crowd, he loses focus and daydreams.
After the flag ceremony, the troop announced the wreath sales contest winners and awarded prizes to the top scouts. R was not expecting to win a prize. But he did, nonetheless. $15 at the Scout Store. Another reward for his hard work and effort. A successful outcome for his first foray into the neighborhood, on his own, to deliver on a fundraiser. That made a good first impression for the Webelos: they were lined up behind a young man who also was a real leader.
We celebrated Spanish and Wreaths after the meeting by going out for ice cream!
If my kid sloshes water out of his shoes as he walks through the house. If he leaves a damp spot on the sofa when he gets up... I won't mind. It's just the melting away of his reticence. The real R is steadily emerging.
We've been hunkering down for a long, seige-like approach to Spanish. Each time we've had a 'Struggle Subject' in the past, it's taken most of the school year to fix it.
So, imagine my surprise to hear last night that R had his breakthrough yesterday in Spanish. He not only participated in the 'championship' competitions, but he won. Twice. And he served up the first defeat ever to the reigning undefeated kid! R came home full of pride and motivation for the study of Spanish. In three weeks he transformed himself from and 'F' grade to a contender for the head of the class.
THEN we went to Boy Scouts.
A large group of Webelos visited Troop 22 last night. When it came time to line up for the flag ceremony, R, a first year, was surprised to find that the senior troop leadership picked him to act as Patrol Leader for most of the Webelos. He stood there, at the front of the line of scouts, with a look on his face that said 'how did I get here?' And he dutifully paid attention to the proceedings - not his habit when he hides in the crowd. In the crowd, he loses focus and daydreams.
After the flag ceremony, the troop announced the wreath sales contest winners and awarded prizes to the top scouts. R was not expecting to win a prize. But he did, nonetheless. $15 at the Scout Store. Another reward for his hard work and effort. A successful outcome for his first foray into the neighborhood, on his own, to deliver on a fundraiser. That made a good first impression for the Webelos: they were lined up behind a young man who also was a real leader.
We celebrated Spanish and Wreaths after the meeting by going out for ice cream!
If my kid sloshes water out of his shoes as he walks through the house. If he leaves a damp spot on the sofa when he gets up... I won't mind. It's just the melting away of his reticence. The real R is steadily emerging.
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