The Reading Box Drama

May be on my way to first confrontation with Beth's teacher.

Apparently, for reading comprehension, the class rule is that all students have to work their way through all 10 books in the Sunset Reading Box before moving on to the next level, the Red Box.

Beth came home in tears yesterday because a classmate was allowed to skip to Red after achieving 3 18's (full marks), whereas she herself had notched up 4 18's but was required to work through all 10 books.

My tendency is to avoid conflict wherever possible. I can't do the 做坏人 routine.

I offered various possible explanations: the teacher felt the classmate had an advanced level of comprehension and it would be a waste of time to hold her back? The teacher felt Beth needed to work more at her comprehension?

Of course, I realized none of these explanations were particularly comforting to my competitive child. She likes being top of the heap and doesn't take kindly to suggestions that at Grade 2, it's only natural that her classmates will catch up to her and even surpass her in their academic achievement.

So I said if her teacher's explanation for her actions matters so much to her, I'll email her teacher to clarify.

In all fairness, Beth is rarely upset by what happens at school so this is new to me.

I mentioned it to hubby last night and right away, he said something forceful and aggressive which does not bear repeating; never knew he could be so protective of our kids. He agreed with Beth's perception of the unfairness of her treatment, so I've just sent off an email - couched as courteously and non-accusingly as possible - and we'll see what her teacher says.