ABCDEFG | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: ABCDEFG | Previous Challenge Entry
By Marita Thelander
07/31/08
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Andy ran around the classroom with a toy airplane. Horrific engine noises sputtered from his mouth as he caused the miniature jet to crash into various items, knocking them to the floor. Not seeing the need to pick them up, Andy continued on his path of destruction as his mother and teacher attempted to have a conference in the middle of the kindergarten classroom.

“He doesn’t even know his ABC’s.” Miss Simmons pointed to Andy’s report card.

Cindy attempted to hide the insult in her voice. “Yes he does.”

“I’ve tried to test him several times.”

“When do you test him?” Frustration began to rise in Cindy.

“I test all the children individually, during station time.”

“Station time,” Cindy glanced around the classroom. “You mean the time when all the children rotate through the various activity stations?”

“Yes.”

“The time when other children are getting to play and explore with all this cool stuff you have?”

Unaware that Cindy was about to pounce on a point, Miss Simmons glanced around her classroom with pride. “Well…yes.”

“Andy, come here please.” Cindy held her hand out to her son.

Andy gave her a sideways glance and continued to make jet plane noises.

“One….” Cindy’s voice turned firm. Miss Simmons squirmed.

Andy turned his head to look at his mother as if to gauge her level of seriousness.

“Two…” Cindy’s level increased and her eyebrows furrowed in the way that Andy recognized well.

Revving his engines, Andy ran towards his mother and jumped into her lap. Wrapping his arms around her neck he placed his forehead on hers. He wore a most mischievous grin.

“Three!” Andy blurted out with glee.

“Thank-you, Andy.” Cindy hugged her son as a reward for his obedience.

Andy squirmed as she worked him into a comfortable position on her lap, a familiar hold that reminded Andy it was time to be still. Cindy used this hold often in church.

Andy’s free arm slipped up and wrapped around the back of his Mama’s neck as he fiddled with her hair. This had become a gentle sign of submission, and she knew she had his attention.

“Andy,” Cindy whispered into his ear. “Can you tell Miss Simmons your favorite movie?”

Andy bolted upright and shouted, “The Lion King.”

Andy squirmed as he tried to reach the floor with the toe of his dirty sneakers. Cindy tightened her hold on him as if to tell him, you aren’t dismissed yet.

The fidgety blonde bundle of energy settled back into his mama’s embrace.

“Andy, I need you to concentrate for me. Settle down and focus. Can you tell Miss Simmons your ABC’s?”

Again, Andy practically leaped off Cindy’s lap.

“ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ.” Andy shouted out in rapid speed.

Miss Simmons eyes grew in shocked amazement. “I had no idea.”

Cindy released her son and her shoulders sank in exhaustion. “I’ve been trying to tell people he is very intelligent. I think he has ADHD, but no one will believe me.”

***

Cindy walked into Andy’s first grade class and smiled at Mrs. Grant. Both women looked forward to Tuesday. It was the day Cindy volunteered in the classroom and a friendship had blossomed between parent and teacher.

As the children were released for recess, the two women sat at a small desk to enjoy their moment. “Andy is our top reader.” Mrs. Grant pointed to the reading chart on the wall.

“He loves to read at home, too. I’ve seen so much improvement in his abilities since we decided to put him on medication. He seems to be able to concentrate better.”

“He’s very bright,” Mrs. Grant offered a cookie to Cindy. “I’ve tested him and I believe he would benefit from being moved to an upper grade classroom for reading and spelling. I’ve already arranged it with Mr. Gilman.”

“Mr. Gilman? Isn’t he the fourth grade teacher?”

“Actually, Andy tested much higher than fourth grade, but maturity needed to be taken into consideration. We would like to try it if you don’t mind.”

Cindy pondered this information as the students lined up straight and still after recess. Not Andy. He hopped, wiggled and pestered others in line. She dreaded the thought of how his school years would be without medication.

Cindy bent down to hug Andy and whispered in his ear, “It’s time to go to the office and take your concentration pill.”

Mrs. Grant assured Cindy that Andy had success written in his future. God had a plan for him, indeed.

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