A Progress Report | Cole

I wanted to write separate posts about how virtual school is going for each unique Mora at this point in the journey. This point being our fourth week. I'll write about Cole first.  I knew going in to this experience that if I were to have any frustrations and obstacles with the virtual/home school model it would likely be related to Cole. Honestly, it's the same worries I have every year he goes into a typical classroom. This kid has a million and one quirks. I never share his 'quirks' with his teachers at the beginning of the year. I think it's better to just let the year unfold and address any issues as they pop up. There has never been such an occasion in public school. Four weeks into virtual school I'm kind of wondering how that is possible.  I am encountering issues, many issues. I'm starting to wonder if this model and environment is right for him. This has NOTHING to do with intelligence, the boy is scary smart. Last year he was one B away from straight A's. However, I am having one heck of a time getting him through this demanding curriculum. I need to change something, and I'm just not sure what that something is. As of now, we start the day with Math (his favorite subject.) He breezes through the lesson, but from there it goes downhill. Literature and Language Skills (Grammar Usage and Mechanics, and Composition) is a huge chunk of our curriculum and he LOATHES every bit of it. He hates to write, not as in writing a story but as in putting pencil to paper. He won't use complete sentences because it's too much writing. He is constantly asking me how many more questions there are. Then he starts asking exactly how many subjects are left for the day. How many/how much more becomes his obsession. Seriously? We've only gotten through ONE lesson, how many do you think there are? Cue the tears. Another of his issues is perfection. Perfection rules his life, so heaven forbid he get something incorrect. I don't tolerate these school related issues. I make him push through them. We manage, but I would be less than honest if I didn't say that it's mentally wearing on me on WEEK FOUR. I know he wouldn't dare reveal this behavior at school, he would stuff the anxiety and frustration within a schools social setting. So I start to think maybe that would be better for him, maybe that would be better for me? I'm not in any way ready to give up, I knew there would be issues. I was certain I'd have to make changes and concessions for him. I just need to figure out what those concessions are. I'm not really sure how to change up the day to make it better for him. I'm considering many different options. I'm just going to have to experiment. I've started by letting him outline the order of his daily lessons. I'm open to constructive suggestions from those brave and educated enough to give them.