One of the issues discussed at our intervention meeting last week was how bored my son was in math class.

Every so often third-grade students are given a placement test to evaluate their skills/weaknesses and placed together in groups based on results. In theory, this is an excellent way for students to work at their own pace with similar skill level. This quarter Jay was placed in a group who was beginning to develop their multiplication facts, something he mastered in kindergarten with Dziadek. "Mom, I'm drawing squares and counting them. I tried to work ahead but the teacher stopped me." I brought this up to the administration team (after determining that Jay is easily distracted during tests) and encouraged them to re-test him in a quiet room without any time restrictions.

On Friday he was re-tested.

On Monday he came home from school filled with new found pride. "This is THE best Monday of my life!" he smiled.

My little man scored so high that he was placed in the most challenging math group. He sat down at the kitchen table and described how he raised his hand all.the.time during the lesson, something he rarely does, and drew out math puzzles they were working on to prove the level of difficulty he so much enjoyed. He created a worksheet for me to complete and although I failed he led me through it until I understood. "See? It's so easy! These factors have the common sum of times 5 and minus 2." (Or something to that nature, math confuses me.) I couldn't help but shed a little tear. It's amazing to see what a little modification in his school day can really achieve.

After calling my entourage of support on the phone to share my son's good day, "Jay rocked his math placement test!" my daughter approached me with her hand on her hip. "I didn't hear you mention to anyone that I got straight A's on my report card." I quickly re-dialed everyone's phone number. "Hello, again. Are you sitting down? I have more good news to share. Did you know that I am the luckiest Mom in the world...." I started.

I don't want to see my cell phone bill.