Noah’s first report card
Feb 19, 2003 Homeschooling
Noah got his report card from religious school today. I didn’t even know they had report cards there; if I had I would have drilled him on the 10 commandments (kidding). This is what they said:
Noah is doing a great job in kindergarten. He actively participates in Circle Time discussions and shows genuine interest for the subject matter. He is well-liked by his classmates and very respectful of the teachers. Noah is very helpful with cleaning up after art projects and at the end of the session. His good-natured personality and kindness make him a great student to work with. Super first semester, Noah!
They checked “Very Good” for: Demonstrates understanding of the subject matter; Is active in class discussions; Completes class projects; Exhibits good behavior and a positive attitude; and Participates in class activities. He got “Outstandings” for: Follows Directions; Is respectful of and interacts well with classmates; Is respectful of teachers and the synagogue.
What does all that mean?
Now I know that they think that Noah is a nice kid who does a good job. Ok, great. But it doesn’t really tell me anything, does it? I mean, it sounds so generic.
Of course when I got this I started thinking about report cards for “real” school and I was thinking of how meaningless they are, too. What does it mean to get an “Outstanding” in “Follows Directions” instead of a “Very Good?” If he follows directions and is “good-natured,” why did he get a “Very Good” in “Exhibits good behavior and a positive attitude” instead of an “Outstanding?”
It just seems so silly.
I’ll probably read what the teacher said to him so he’ll know that his teachers enjoy having him there but I don’t want him to know that he’s being evaluated for being active in class discussions.
He enjoys religious school and I want him to go because so much of Judaism is beyond me. I want him to learn the prayers and the symbols and to feel at home in a synagogue and I think that it’s important to be biblically literate even if he becomes an atheist. Culturally, I want him to know what the tower of Babel is and the story of Lot’s wife. But when I get this ridiculous report card and see some of the charts and worksheets he brings home, I’m really kinda grossed out.
Oh well, I suppose it’s like television. A little of it isn’t going to kill anybody and might even be fun but too much will make you crazy.
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