"One Rotten Apple Ruins Its Neighbors"

Ava has been LOVING school.  This month, her apple has been "in the sunshine" more than not.  Kids are allowed to put their apple in the "sunshine"only if they've done something outstanding, listened well, were kind to someone or followed directions well on that particular day.  The teacher sends a calendar home in their Kinder keeper, stamping a sunshine on that day, if they did really well.  If there is no sunshine, their apple remained in the tree, which is also good.  If there is a number and a letter, it is a code (referring to a legend) relating to a type of bad behavior and number of occurrences.  The apple can go down into the trunk, into the grass, onto the dirt and finally (drum roll please...) into the bucket.  Bucket = bad. 

Ava had been mentioning one little boy's name (Riley) for the first few weeks.  She sits at a table with Riley, Hannah and Marek.  Riley sounded like a smart cookie, reading "chapter books," an apple-in-the-sunshine kind of kid.  One day a few weeks ago, Ava had to move her apple "down on the tree" (to the trunk), for not listening to instructions, which was surprising.  She is normally a really good listener, so we assumed it was a one-time deal.  The next day the apple had to move down again.  We addressed the behavior with her that day, again. 


I noticed she would mention Marek's name on the days her apple moved down on the tree.  She mentioned that he had to move his apple down on some of those days, too.  When I inquired more about the behavior situation, she said "Marek likes to get me in trouble...He likes to try to bite me..."  The next day, on a Friday, her apple had to be moved down yet again.  Yikes.  I sent a message to the teacher (for another unrelated reason, as well), asking if I was hearing the entire story.  She told me she would call me the following Monday. 


In the meantime, I told Ava about horses and "blinders," telling her that horses wear them to focus on going the fastest they possibly can during races. I mentioned that if the horses don't wear the blinders, they probably wouldn't go as fast, because they might get distracted looking at something else.   I put my hands up to my eyes and showed her what blinders were like.  She did the same thing.  I told her that she should pretend like she has blinders on at school, so she can focus on her schoolwork only.  I also told her I probably should've mentioned that her new school is much more about learning than she was used to at Lighthouse Academy.  I mentioned she could play at Lighthouse during the day, but at this new school we definitely needed to follow the teacher's directions and learn as much as we possibly can, that there were specific times set-aside for playing.  She was game. 


Ava's teacher is THE. BEST.  In fact, when I picked her up yesterday from school, someone mentioned to me that she, too, loved Mrs. McKenzie, that "Mrs. McKenzie has the kids eating out of the palm of her hand...even though she expects quite a bit from them, they rise to the occasion."  Very cool.  So Mrs. McKenzie did call me that Monday.  She mentioned Ava is a great student, that she loves having Ava in her class, but said she can be a bit "playful".  I know this.  Mrs. McKenzie did mention that she was going to move the seats around anyway, so she would be sure to move Ava's seat away from Marek, to minimize any distraction.  She said she told Ava to not hesitate if Marek (or anyone else) tries to bite her.  Love Mrs. McKenzie.

That same Monday, Ava came home beaming, saying her "apple was in the sunshine."  Woo-hoo!  It was only later I found out that Marek was out sick that day and the next, when Ava's apple was in the sunshine again.  (Go Ava!)  Hmm...are you sensing a pattern here?  ;-)
 I honestly would be fine if her apple wasn't in the sunshine everyday, as long as she wasn't required to move it down.  If it is moving down, we definitely need to address the behavior.  The consequence of an apple moving down is fewer minutes playing in the "fun centers" on Fun Fridays.  I love that there are tangible consequences for the kids.  Great motivation to change the behavior. 

When I volunteered last week in Ava's classroom, I got to meet all of the kids.  It was so fun!  The kids learned all about apples.  Marek was a mild-mannered boy.  I did have to redirect his attention to the task at hand a few times, so I have a feeling that particular tendency most likely played into his interactions with Ava.  He really did seem like a sweet kid.  I'm not saying he is the bad apple, but thought the Chaucer quote was apropo here!  ("One Rotten Apple Ruins Its Neighbors")

Since Ava has changed seats, she seems to be doing EXTREMELY well.  Her apple has not since "moved down."  She seems to be liking her new table, too.  She wishes she sat at her friend Ella's table (as well as another friend), but I told her I'm sure that day will come, since they will be changing seats again later in the year.

Peace, love and sun-shiney apples for everyone,
Shelly, Doug, Ava and Liam