OK. I had a really bizzare conversation w/a director of an M program. We are thinking about relocating, but only if my kids can get into a quality, private M program, preferably AMI. We have been on the waitlist here for 3 years to get into such a program, and I'm not that excited about tossing the opportunity aside when we move.
My dd would be starting "1st grade" there. She has never attended a M program before, but is very smart and quick to learn. My understanding of M is that it is a non-competitive environment where students have extended work periods etc. Perfect for her.
The director at this program told me that my dd would be behind in geography and probably history. That she wouldn't know how to use the M materials like the other kids (true, but is it rocket science?) and that she would FEEL like she was behind and not smart. I suggested she meet my lo first before she came to such conclusions about her self-confidence and intellect. I also said that we have been on a waitlist for M here 3 years and the AMI school that just admitted her, said that she was more than capable of catching up on the ways of doing things and the rhythem of the program. And, that she would be "behind" the other kids on some things (like cursive writing), but ahead of them on other things (like printing), but she wouldn't know it and neither would the other children. That's the beauty of M--that every child works at her own pace, therefore, they can really never be "behind." The director of the program said that she would most certainly be behind and at this age, children are very aware of the short-fallings...indicating that I am setting her up for failure.
Then she asked me if my dd was tall? B/c if that's the case, the other children would EXPECT her to be smart--ie the taller you are the smarter you are!
Does this sound like an insane conversation to you? Am I nuts? Does this sound like a "real" M program? YIKES!
My dd would be starting "1st grade" there. She has never attended a M program before, but is very smart and quick to learn. My understanding of M is that it is a non-competitive environment where students have extended work periods etc. Perfect for her.
The director at this program told me that my dd would be behind in geography and probably history. That she wouldn't know how to use the M materials like the other kids (true, but is it rocket science?) and that she would FEEL like she was behind and not smart. I suggested she meet my lo first before she came to such conclusions about her self-confidence and intellect. I also said that we have been on a waitlist for M here 3 years and the AMI school that just admitted her, said that she was more than capable of catching up on the ways of doing things and the rhythem of the program. And, that she would be "behind" the other kids on some things (like cursive writing), but ahead of them on other things (like printing), but she wouldn't know it and neither would the other children. That's the beauty of M--that every child works at her own pace, therefore, they can really never be "behind." The director of the program said that she would most certainly be behind and at this age, children are very aware of the short-fallings...indicating that I am setting her up for failure.
Then she asked me if my dd was tall? B/c if that's the case, the other children would EXPECT her to be smart--ie the taller you are the smarter you are!
Does this sound like an insane conversation to you? Am I nuts? Does this sound like a "real" M program? YIKES!
