He likes to compare himself to other kids in class, which is normal for that age. I don't want to hear about how Joe forgets his homework all the time, and that it's no big deal that he forgot his homework just this once.
When he did his homework the next night it took him more than a few hours to do it. He's learning division, and it's something that is difficult for him. Math has always been his weaker point in school. With reading, history, science, and art he excels. Of course that week they had a sub on Monday and Tuesday. Mica just didn't get what he was doing.
He still uses touch points with math, and hasn't really learned his math facts like he should. I had this problem as well. Travis was one very frustrated parent.
Travis decided to have a conversation with Mica's teacher. His teacher said, "Everyone knows Mica is one of the top ones in class, but he doesn't ask questions when he doesn't get things." Travis said, "That's Mica. He thinks he knows everything, and is too proud to admit he doesn't know something." He told her that Mica still uses touch points to do his math. She said, "You mean to tell me that he doesn't do his flashcards every night after his homework?" Travis said, "He's supposed to be doing those every night, isn't he?!"
Travis confronted Mica about his flashcards. Mica said, "I figured I'm one of the best in the class. I really didn't NEED to do those flashcards." Cocky! I hate that his class has labeled him as a smart kid. Whenever we see the Special Smarty Pants Teacher she says, "Your boys are so smart. I just LOVE working with them!" That doesn't help with Mica's cockiness! Isaak's smart, yet humble. Mica's smart and cocky!
I always tell Mica that I went to a Special Smarty Pants Teacher to; only mine was to get extra help to try and get smarter. Yep I was in the dummy classes. I begged to move up to be with my friends that were smarter than me. I did not test well at all, I always did my homework, which put me grade wise in the A and B range.
We've told Mica time and time again that we all have our strengths and our faults. I explained that everyone gets things at different times. I've also told him that in the future girls do not like guys that think they are better than everyone else.
Mica's been doing flashcards on multiplication and division, Isaak's been doing flashcards on addition and subtraction everyday since Travis talked to Mica's teacher.
Mica had his first coding class at the library. I asked him how it went. He said, "Well I coded some Minecraft, but I thought I was going to code a website." It was one of those moments where if I was drinking water I would have choked from laughing so hard. He was there for one hour!
I'm happy that Mica is confident. I don't have to worry about building him up. I'm glad he's excelling in school. I often wish he was more humble though.
