School's Out!

Jordan has finally finished his first year of middle school. Although he just started at the school this year, he went out of his way and applied to (and got accepted!) a gifted and talented school for next year, so he'll be switching schools again.

Here's what I hope Jordan learned during his 6th grade year:

- Doing your homework when you get home is better than putting it off

- Working slowly on a long-term project makes it much easier than doing it all at once the night before it's due

- A due date isn't just a "recommendation" from the teacher - it's when the assignment should be in the teacher's hand

- Accompanying a friend who is involved in drugs to meet "a group of guys in a truck" is probably a really bad idea (good thing those plans fell through!)

- Getting your parents to sign a required form is essential to getting good grades

- A black shirt rarely, if ever, looks good with midnight blue shorts

- Wearing a watch isn't considered "un-cool"

- Carrying a wallet with almost $100 in slippery-pocketed pants is a really bad idea, and we are extremely thankful that the bus driver is more ethical than any middle schooler would be

- Staying organized is the very best way to maintain good grades

Here's what I learned during Jordan's 6th grade year:

- Although I threaten not doing so at the beginning of every school year, I am always going to help with homework and projects

- He's better at remembering some things than I thought

- He needs to be reminded to write down homework instructions, not try to remember all of them in his head

- I should be more attentive of school work every day, and require him to show me his work, not just accept his word

- I must step back and let him fail every now and then so he realizes the importance of doing well

- I need to stop trying to change who he is and accept that the friends he has he gets by being himself - they wouldn't be his friends if they didn't like him!

- I should consider "forcing" him to join activities outside of school - he always likes things once he tries them, but won't try them without a nudge (or a threat)

- I realize that he's a smart kid, who is good in every subject. He has my spelling/language abilities, Jeff's math abilities (and beyond), and his own science, geography, musical, and physical education abilities. I keep thinking he's behind on things, but I've realized that I think of him as older. When I compare him to other kids his age, he's far advanced. It's his height and deep voice that throw me off. He towers over his classmates, and his voice is, I think, deeper than Jeff's now.

I hope that he had an excellent year and that his 7th grade year will be even better. Good luck in the difficult, but totally worth it, Quest Academy, Jordan! We're proud of you!