My Goof Ball

Y'all are familiar with my boy, youngest child, Red Rocks. Er, Little Guy. Y'know, I've forgotten what I call him here. He's thirteen and 5'8". Seventh grade. I have no idea what to call him now. How aboooouuuut ... Goof Ball? I mean really ...

Yeah. That's a stretchy book cover on his head

So Goof Ball (it really works for him, I think) was homeschooled until he was ten years old. He learned to read just before he turned nine and was reading at a high second grade level when he went into fourth grade at the public school. I went through the proper channels and had him tested, got an IEP. His vocabulary was that of a 25 year old - he just can't hear phonetically, so he has to memorize words. Weird, but that's what it is.

The IEP has been great. I've worked with his teachers all along, they've gradually weaned him from all the extra help, he's memorized a lot and learned how to work in the system. Goof Ball seems to love school - especially the social aspect - and is a hard worker. In fact, every one of his teachers has commented on his work ethic at school. Especially once he started meds for his ADD a few years back (you see why I stopped homeschooling? Vocabulary of an adult, arguing technique of a lawyer, ADD - it's a wonder I'm still alive and sane).

Check out the bat utility belt

This week his English teacher tested all the kids in his class to see what their reading levels are prior to assigning books for book reports. Don't want to have them reading kiddy books if they read on a high school level, but also don't want to frustrate a fourth grade reading level with Middlemarch.

Goof Ball (I'm really liking this name!) tested at an eleventh grade reading level. A little more than three years after going into public school. WHAT?!? Okaaayyy ...

But that's not all! This week in the mail he received a letter from Duke University. Evidently they send out invitations to seventh graders who have tested at 95% on one of their 6th grade state tests and have been recommended by a teacher for the program. The program? A talent search. The kids are asked to take the SAT or ACT early. This semester early. As a practice test for taking it again in high school. But it's the real thing. It's supposed to give the kids an idea of what they'll have to expect, what they'll need to work toward, as well as letting their teachers know that they're already tracking for college and to pay extra attention to this kid.

What. The HECK?!?

So yeah, I'm bragging. But I'm also a little dazed. Surely not my child. In my head he can still barely read. And I'm so proud of him and all his hard work.

It almost makes his being thirteen tolerable.

Almost.

Until I write again ...

Flea