So my Kindergarten-age son's first-ever semester ended recently and he got his very first report card. I was shocked by his grades.
They are graded as E = Exceeds Expectations, M = Meets Expectations, S = Steady Progress, L = Limited progress.
My son had S's in every subject except for Social Studies, Art and Music which he got M's in, and Writing Skills, which he got an L in. I'm talking 5 subjects that he got S's in! Including Speaking/Listening, Phys Ed, Reading and Science.
His Learning skills were also mediocre. He doesn't consistently participate in class, among other things. The only things he was graded "consistently" in was being prepared for class and working cooperatively with others.
I spoke with my husband tonight about it. Our son is incredibly smart. I'm not just saying that. I know he struggles with writing and reading, but everything else... It just doesn't make sense. When I looked at my husband and said, "He's smarter than this! Why is he struggling?!" My husband asked me to think about what I said, and it hit me. I was told the same thing a million times as a kid. I couldn't get it from my brain into the classroom. I had ADD and that's why I struggled so much, even though I was smart and knew my work, I couldn't do it.
I stopped putting it off and made his appointment to be tested for ADHD. I really didn't want to. I mean, I did, but I didn't, yanno? The report card, along with 2 separate incidences where the teacher actually pulled me aside after class and said he's struggling... I'm actually pretty upset. I never wanted him to have problems, and I think I can deny it all I want but that doesn't change the fact that something may in fact be going on. Even my husband is starting to come around to it.
I feel like I broke him.