12/10/99

Moving Toward "I Love School!"

In response to a recent article about children who say they "hate school," readers offered many ideas about why that might be true and what parents, students and educators can do about it. Here are some of those ideas:

Parent: "After reading about the 7-year-old's lack of motivation and boredom, I strongly urge the parent to become a helping mom or dad in the classroom for a few hours a week, if possible. It would then be more evident if the subject material presented has already been mastered by the child or is being presented in a dull, repetitious manner. Then discuss concerns with the teacher to see if there is any type of curriculum compacting offered. (Compacting is building more challenging materials on an already known knowledge base.) The parent could also request that the school psychologist observe the child, discuss findings of the observation and perhaps consider an evaluation of the child's academic level. Children who are listening to lessons on material they've already mastered might develop behavior problems due to boredom. Pursuit of these avenues has worked for both of my children in determining the best possible learning environment for them."

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Book Lover: "Who can blame any intelligent child for hating school when all the current public education system seems to be concerned with is keeping children within the confines of a predetermined standardized achievement, goal-oriented classification? Read Alfie Kohn's books if you are concerned about where public education is going. Titles recommended are:

• The Schools Our Children Deserve: Moving Beyond Traditional Classrooms and Tougher Standards
• Punished by Rewards: The Trouble with Gold Stars, Incentive Plans, A's, Praise and Other Bribes

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Gifted Education: "Two things caught my attention in the letter from the parent whose child hates school. First, his ability is not the problem. Second, he finds school boring. This student may be gifted and not finding the class challenging enough. The teacher, parent and son should sit down and talk about making the class more challenging along with expectations that his behavior improve. Also the adults could look into getting the student into a TAG (Talented and Gifted) program if the district has one. Too many districts are trying to increase test scores by putting more effort into the less advanced students and the talented students are left by the wayside. The Institute for the Academic Advancement of Youth at Johns Hopkins University sponsors a talent search for academically talented students, starting in the second grade. Their website address is: http://www.jhu.edu/gifted/index.html."

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Father: "Classes go as slow as the slowest child, so as not to leave him behind. Quick learners lose interest and really are bored. As my cousin once told his teacher back in grammar school, "You're the stupid one for repeating yourself!" My teenage son corrected his kindergarten teacher in front of all the parents. She stated that all the items on the table were for coloring, and he pointed out that the scissors were for cutting. When kids are bored, maybe it's because the teacher is talking down to them and oversimplifying everything."

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Teenager: "When you suggested, "Go and observe your child's class," I didn't think that was a good idea. I'm 13 years old and in the 8th grade. I know that if my mom came to my school, I would act very differently. I would be embarrassed and would not be able to concentrate on anything."

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Mother: "The boy who hates school may not seem to have ability problems, but he might have subtle ability problems that aren't immediately apparent. Lack of cooperation and motivation, beginning in the first grade, were the only signs we had of any problems with our oldest child. Testing revealed motor skill problems, a high IQ that wasn't being challenged and possible ADD of the inattentive type (without hyperactivity). The unchallenged high IQ proved to be the biggest problem, but inattention and disorganization will be the most long lasting ones. I'd suggest that the child be evaluated for learning/attention difficulties."

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Please send questions or comments to bbruno@snet.net.