So DD11 is a math kid, with a history of extreme perfectionism that was so bad it would take her about 10 minutes of struggle with paralysis before she would attempt in class work. Her teachers went on and on about it and I did what I could to address it, and have had some success.
The latest chapter in the public school saga is her current teacher (who really is kind and wonderful) and her propensity to over do the busywork homework assignments, particularly math worksheets.
Just to be clear, I am a fan of drill and kill for those kids who need it (because many clearly do). Both of my kids, though, are painfully intolerant of repetition and are driven crazy by worksheets.
DD's performance on these math worksheets has been abysmal of late. Recently she scored 10% on one of them. She complains that the math is "stupid and boring, and we learned this a long time ago." She said she rushes through the worksheets to get them done and out of the way, and in doing so she makes careless errors.
I've spoken to the teacher, who now of course doesn't believe DD has mastery, despite her history of above grade testing results and gifted pull-out participation.
I had a chat with DD and told her that as long as she is making careless errors the teacher will continue to think that she has lagging skills and comprehension gaps, so... she needs to make sure she gets the questions right. In other words, if there are too many worksheets and not enough time, not to worry about finishing them, but instead make sure to get all the answers right. (So yes, dear daughter, regress to your old perfectionist ways... sigh).
This sounds like I don't value correct answers, which of course I do, but when you have a kid who formerly couldn't function unless her work was perfect and now you have to tell her to make sure her work is perfect, well... sigh.
ARRRGH!!!!
That's all... I just needed to vent.
Thanks
