I recall in kindergarten we were given a reading worksheet. The instructions said "write." The paper had dotted outlines of the name "Buffy" three times. I told my teacher the lines were too short. She looked confused. She then looked at my paper, and saw I had squished the full sentences she had read (that were also illustrated) onto the page. I was deemed too advanced for kindergarten reading, and moved to the first grade in reading. That was generally a good move, until they had a "test" with pictures, and we were supposed to finish the sentences with the picture that made sense, and began with S. One of them said the book characters sailed on something. I looked at the pictures. Only one began with S in my mind, a sandwich. This did not make much sense to me, but I circled it. Of course that was wrong. I was crying my eyes out when I got the paper back, and simply told the teacher that "boat" did not began with s! Also, I had the idea that it was an inflatable raft that looked like a sandwich! She didn't have me do the worksheet from then on, not only because I was upset, but because I had reasoning skills beyond what a kindergartner should! I wanted to do the work, but only if they could make it make sense. I said they should words and pictures, or just words, if they wish to make a clear point! I was an all-A student up to 4th grade. Got my first B in 5th. It was in Math. After that, my grades did not stay high. They were good when I was homebound after scoliosis surgery in 6th grade, but when they put me back in pre-algebra after I had been doing algebra at home, I stunk at it. It was visual math, and I will NEVER forgive this DUMB school system for the @#%^ they put me through. I couldn't do the algebra right when they put me in the class, and I found out later, the other kids had tutors! A family member would have wanted to help me, which NEVER works. They are far too critical and judgmental.
I managed to graduate high school with a 3.2 average. Good enough I suppose. I still have not had any success in my college experience, and am trying to decide if I should still go the traditional route, or do distance education. One of the pitfalls is that my allergies can be killer, especially here in Lousy-ana. They manage to flare up at the weirdest things. One of the worst for me is Ligustrum, aka Privet, which happens to be a popular decorative flowering plant here. The fact is, it came close to killing me (I LITERALLY could NOT breathe), and had I not made it inside, I would have passed out, and would possibly not be here today.
I have tried other schools, and almost was going to sta enrolled at one until a weed flower invaded; it gave me problems as well. I am considering another school, but the way people smoke there causes me to have respiratory problems as well.
When I was little, I could stand it. Now things are just getting worse and worse for me.
30 Apr 2007, 11:29 am
