Is Reading Always a Good Thing?

Last night was Back to School Night for Mr. Lego Engineer. This is the parents' opportunity to hear what their kids are doing, learning, what is expected for homework, and even chat briefly with their child's teacher. I also went early to hear the presentation for the Gifted and Talented (G/T) Program. 

Mr. Lego Engineer is sharp like a tack, quick as whip, and as organized as a hog. His smarts are off the charts. His diligence towards school work is off the charts the other way. 

The G/T teachers had invited him to participate in one of the extra programs they have that are teacher-invitation only. This is great that they recognize him as needing and wanting additional instructional opportunities! This curriculum extension is about bridges. Vanessa also did this program and really enjoyed it. Now it is his turn. 

The G/T teachers also offer Instructional Seminars, which are optional, voluntary, and the kids give up some of their recess time to participate. All those interested are allowed to participate in this program. Mr. Lego Engineer expressed interest in doing one on computers. 

Both programs have a sheet that must be filled out and returned. Both sheets had deadlines. Mr. Lego Engineer missed both deadlines. I had to even "suggest" sentences he could write for the "letter of interest" that was requested for participating in the Instructional Seminar. 

Last night, the G/T teacher said that she had received the Letter of Interest, two days late, but that it would be fine and he could participate. Then I asked about the bridges program. I saw two separate sheets come home, requesting parental permission to participate. I asked the G/T teacher if either had gotten back to her. No, neither. She said I could just write a note and that would be fine. Whew. Good. 

Later in the evening, we were given a presentation by the third grade teachers and then allowed to check out our children's desks and read the letter they had written for us. I also looked around the room to see if any of Mr. Lego Engineer's work was posted on the walls. I didn't see any, but I noticed that a poster had names of table groups, each with differing amounts of points accumulated. So, I wrote a response letter back to Mr. Lego Engineer, which he would get this morning when he gets to school. I asked him which table group he was in and how many points they have. As I was finishing this brief letter, his teacher came up. 

I asked how Mr. Lego Engineer was doing. 

"He is doing well, he really is a smart kid, but he is very fidgety. I have several of those." 

"Yes, he's fidgety at the dinner table at home too. But does he stay in his seat?" 

"Yes, he does." 

"Great! That's an improvement. And how is his work going?" 

"It seems to be going well, but he tends to read while I'm speaking to the class." 

"He reads at his desk while you are speaking?" 

"Yes. But he likes to read and I'm glad he is reading instead of doing something else." 

"Um, yes, but that is rather rude." 

"But he's reading." Mr. F. sort of shrugged and moved off to speak with another waiting parent. 

I finished writing my letter to Mr. Lego Engineer and peaked in his desk. There were a couple of papers askew (only a couple!), so I pulled out a bright pink one. 

It was another invitation to join the bridges program! Ah ha! I could fill it out and maybe find the G/T teacher and be done with that! So, I filled it out, tore off the bottom which was to be returned and then looked back in his desk. 

I was curious what he was reading while Mr. F. was talking to the class. 

One decent sized book was in amongst his composition books and folders. 

"Falling Up", by Shel Silverstein. 

A kid's book of poems. 

My boy is reading poetry while the teacher speaks to the class! 

On that, I gathered the papers I was taking home and went in search of the G/T teacher. I found her, and held up the slip for the bridges program, saying, "Look what I found in his desk!" She smiled as I handed it to her. 

And I floated out of the school knowing that my disrespectful son was reading poetry during class. 

How much trouble should he really get into for doing that? When I got home, I was sure to talk with him about it and make sure he understood that doing so was, in fact, disrespectful. He acknowledged it. 

Chastising done, I sent him off to bed. 

And then I reminded myself that he was choosing to read poetry!