School Observation Days

I just came back from a second day of school observations for the kids. For the uninitiated, School Observation Day is when you are allowed twenty minutes to sit in the back of your kid's classroom and watch a class in progress. It's pretty much the only time that you ever get to see the classroom, so it's a real learning experience. Honestly, I usually walk out the room and say to myself, "I could never do that."

It's a real treat to see your kid outside the house. Does he raise his hand? Is he shy? Does he have peanut butter smeared around his mouth?

But the best part of the experience comes after you have tip-toed into the classroom and found a folding chair in the back of the room. Neither Jonah, nor Ian, saw me tip-toe in, but when they spied me, they had similar reactions. Ian said "Oh" and got a big smile on his face. Then he kept looking around and giving me sly smiles. Making sure that I was still there.

Jonah has been reminding me every day for a week about School Observation Day. He never recovered from the year that I forgot to go. Bad mother. Scarred for life. When he finally saw me in the back of the room, he was more cool about the smiles than Ian, but he also kept doing the backwards glances. The thought bubbles over his head read, "that's my mommy."

Comments

[Ragtime]

Yeah, I got a major reaction when, after saying that I had a meeting that couldn't be changed, and would have to miss Observation Day this year, the meeting broke for lunch at 11:30, and I suddenly found myself with 2.5 hours until we reconvened -- enough time to drive to the school, sit in the back of the room for 20 minutes, and then drive back.

Showing up after explicitly apologizing because you can't make it wins major Awesome Points.

And yes, I would completely fail at a teacher because I wouldn't be able to stop myself from pointing at and tease the know-it-all kids when they got the answer wrong.

[MH]

I would completely fail at a teacher because I wouldn't be able to stop myself from pointing at and tease the know-it-all kids when they got the answer wrong.

My first grade teacher recruited another student to say that I missed four addition questions on a quiz. I hadn't missed any. She was just sick of me saying that I never made any mistakes at addition.

[Janice]

We don't have a School Observation Day in our system. Sometimes the schools have run Portfolio Day where the parent comes and the child may leave class to present a portfolio of their achievements to said parents, while all are ensconced in the hallway.

Youngest thought us showing up for Portfolio Day was okay. Eldest thought it was not a cool concept and asked us not to come.

[Lisa V]

I can't believe there is only one day a year that you're allowed in the classroom. We have an open door policy and a parent can observe any day they want.

It is fun to see your kids in a different environment. I was stunned when my shy child was a "leader" and my outrageously funny kid never raised her hand. I thought for sure she was the class clown.

[Jackie]

I'm with Lisa V-- is this really the only day you're allowed in? I know it's National Education Week-- my kids' school had a Grandparents' Day today, and tomorrow is the preferred day for K-2 parents. Is there a distinction made between observing and volunteering? I spent an hour in my kid's classroom last week helping with writing workshop-- would you be allowed to do that?

I *love* getting to see my kids in their school environment, and that glow on their face when they see you in the door is awesome.