Outside the Lines
Posted
November 18, 2006 at
1:33 pm by
whitetrashmom
I have two children. My oldest daughter is a “color outside the lines” type of kid. My younger daughter is a “color inside the lines” type.
Both girls are bright but my “outside the lines” kid has a difficult time in school. It’s not that she’s not smart—it’s that she learns and processes information in a way that does not get rewarded in the classroom. My “inside the lines” kid is quite a creative thinker but she learned early how to play the “school game”. My experiences as a parent, with school and teachers has been a real education.
With my older daughter, my parenting skills have been called into question by the teachers and the school. It’s been that way since first grade. My daughter doesn’t TRY hard enough, needs to get it together. The implication is that she would do better if I was a better parent. It’s not the school—it’s HER. And her parents.
My experiences with my younger daughter’s teachers and school could not be more different.
My parenting skills are praised, my daughter is constantly given praise and positive reinforcement. I am not taking anything away from HER as she is a great kid.
But she is so good following directions and knows the rules of the jungle very well. She has learned how to be a better manipulator. It will serve her well in life but it makes me sad.
I found this essay from a great teacher today. It’s old and most of you have probably read it. The author is John Taylor Gotto and it’s the Seven Lesson School Teacher essay. When I read it, I felt like someone punched me in the stomach.
If you parent a kid that colors “outside the lines” you will know what I mean.
Tags: culture, Education, girls |
4 Responses to “Outside the Lines”
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1. MC Milker said:
November 19, 2006 @ 1:04 pm
When I first heard about Learning Styles, I had a pretty big, “ah ha”. The university where I teach is big on learning styles and wow - what a difference it makes when an instructor considers them. My DS, of course, has a completely different learning style than I (sigh)…but I’m learning how to teach him the right way for him.
Hmmm. I think I’ll have to do some research and write about this topic… A great link is: http://www.ldpride.net
2. Jessica Carlson said:
November 19, 2006 @ 3:58 pm
I’m not a homeschooling advocate per se, but when it comes to children that color outside the lines, I can sure see how it would have it’s advantages.
Children, like grown-ups, are all different, yet our society imposes one size fits all solution to teaching children.
3. MCMilker said:
November 20, 2006 @ 2:22 pm
Homeschooling is one answer…for those who choose not to homeschool, the answer is either “after schooling” - which I think most parents of non-auditory learners do now or trying to influence our educators to consider other methods…or choose a school that does.
4. Sonia said:
November 29, 2006 @ 3:22 pm
Homeschooling can be great, but other options are always out there. A Waldorf school may be closeby, or a Montessori (not just for preschoolers). Check out charter schools in your area. Many education professionals have recognized this incongruency between how people (children) learn and how they are taught and have taken the huge leap to make a change by starting a new style of schooling. Here in MN, our public school system is largely “student’s choice” and parents can seek out a school that better fits their child(ren)’s learning styles.
And kudos to you for being a strong Mom who knows her children!