"What is REAL?" asked the little rabbit one day

Last year, FMO's first year at the charter school, went pretty well compared to all his previous school experiences. He attended the two days offered on site at the Kinderhaus with the kindergarten-first grade, but he stayed for only half the day. Then he worked on home study the other 3 days a week. He participated in some classroom activities, mostly begrudgingly, and needed constant redirection to sit in his chair for lunch or art. He would occasionally become so upset about something, we would have to leave early.

This year is going ah-MA-zing! Compared to last year, home study is so much better. He needs far less redirection to stay on task, finish assignments, and his reading and writing have really improved.

FMO attends the two full days offered on site in the main building with the combination first-second-third grade. He lines up and greets his teachers before each class. He plays beanbag games and listens to stories on the rug. He sits at his desk and completes art and writing work. He participates in music and science and takes walks with his class. He comes inside from playing when the bell rings. He still needs direction to complete all these tasks, but he has not had to leave early, and the only time he was upset for more than a minute or two was when he said he was hungry. So, we took a break and had a snack, and he went back to class.

Six of his classmates returned, and there are three new students. Last year, he barely interacted with any peers, mostly just a few minor conflicts. Now, he has a REAL friend, a new boy about a year younger than FMO. He is different from all the other kids in the way he engages FMO. He doesn't care that FMO is different. He likes FMO. He just plays. FMO plays back. They play together. My heart melts.