This is our Student of the Week. Today he completed fourth grade. He's never been a fan of going to traditional school and his progress in that setting was pretty limited, but we sent him for a social experience he himself neither sought nor appreciated and actually, in the big picture, wasn't even receiving.
When the pandemic hit, he became a home schooler and he has never been happier. He loves working one on one with his teachers and enjoys the flexibility and freedom of truly individualized instruction. It's been such a joy to see his success as well as some interests emerge from academics. For example, instead of receiving a stack of empty white papers we were told were his art projects at the end of each public school year, we had a student who liked arts and crafts and made many conscious choices while working on such projects. No longer were we presented with empty canvases, but proudly handed colorful, often geometric-inspired creations instead. Plus we noticed his creativity blossoming in something akin to found art.
Being at home most of the time also led to much improved fine motor and self-help skills. For example, without even practicing, our child began to get his own drinks and snacks, taking care of bathrooming, and picking up after himself and others. And let's not forget to mention that this amazing boy taught himself (yes, himself through observation, trial and error, and lots of practice) to ride a two wheel bike and to swim since the start of the pandemic.
Here's to the end of fourth grade and to the beginning of what we hope will be a wonderful home school education.
