Plurp - Historical post originally written 10/15/08

B has this boy in his kindergarten class we'll just call Plurp. (Any fans of Peep and the Big Wide World out there?) Plurp does not know his colors, his numbers, how to write, how to keep his pokey fingers to himself nor how to keep his mouth closed when it is appropriate to do so. The last 2 I would not normally fault a 5 year old boy for because, well, he's a 5 year old boy. However, I volunteer in the classroom once a week and that mouth is running constantly in my ear and those fingers are poking constantly in my ribs and right arm while I am trying to work with 5 other children besides him. Oh, and I don't fault him the 1st 3, either. Any decisions to not teach him these things before KG were not of his choosing. I just found it surprising, that's all. I have heard the teacher speak with Plurp's mom and try to get across to her that he is in school, not daycare or preschool, and that it is expected of him to pay attention, learn and actually do his homework every night. Plurp's mom does not seem concerned or doesn't see the necessity at this time despite the teacher's insistence that in 1st grade, he will have to tow the line or else and now is the time to get him in the habit. Anywho, this is the 1st thing B tells me as soon as I picked him up from school today: "Guess what, Mama? Plurp's dog is going to have a baby. And Plurp's mom and dad told him that if he hits the dog with a hammer one more time, they will take the dog back to the animal shelter and they'll kill her." Plurp is not sitting next to me anymore in class!