on james

I feel like this is a duplicate themed post. If so, well then I'm sure SOME of it is different. :)

I feel like I'm always ON JAMES. Meaning, telling him do this, do that, etc. and expecting so much out of him. I always have to step back and say, "he IS only ten. What was I doing at 10?" I sure didn't have the schedule or expectations and things he has.

Sixth grade was a bit rocky, leveled off, and continues to be a bit up and down. We've got conferences at 7 am today. He still has issues with organization, although that's much better than before. His grades at midterm were not impressive. This is not because he doesn't know or learn the material. On the contrary, he aces tests and knows all of the material within seconds of being given the concept. His problem is that he doesn't see the point in the details - i.e. actually doing the assignments AND TURNING THEM IN. That last part is the stickler. Now, I can completely relate to what he's thinking with this. If you know it, why spend more time on it -- move on. But grading doesn't just take into account how you do on the test. We have been trying to help him on that idea. Telling him that sometimes in life, in work, in school, in everything we do things just because we have to. What else do you say? The importance of the actual assignment is very small, and to tell him it is important is kind of a lie. The gifted and talented people have told us that it's just fine to tell him sometimes we just push through and do things we don't want to do. It's frustrating because he really, really doesn't seem to care if he gets the "details" taken care of. In math, he knows how he gets to the answer, whether he can explain it on paper or not. But this year for the first time in math he's having to show all of his work.

He is testing this upcoming Saturday for college Algebra courses at the U of M. It's called the UMPTYUM program, and if he gets in we will have one night a week of two hour classes at the U. Now I don't relish the whole idea of driving all that way, but we really want to make sure we nurture this math thing he loves so much.

He's not loving the hockey season, mainly because there are some little, um, brats on his team. Some of the kids are really disrespectful and downright mean (not to James in particular, to each other in general). There are many "stars" on there who are all about themselves and selfish with the puck. He is not thrilled with his coach, who seems to yell more than teach. He's just disillusioned this year and I feel bad, because he sure does love his hockey. He is hoping to be in a 3 on 3 league which will be much lighter. Provided the aforementioned grades are in the process of being taken care of.

He is also anxiously awaiting Golf this summer. A light hockey schedule combined with this Golf (which will be through MNjrPGA) is all I think I can handle. Last year was TOO MUCH HOCKEY, period.

His birthday is also coming up, and I can't believe I have an eleven year old. We'll celebrate on Saturday evening the 13th.