I don't like school.

Many of you know that Brendan went back to public school this year after being homeschooled last year. He's in grade 7, at a great school and he has a great teacher. Why is it then that many of our nights end in tears and fights over school? He is a smart kid that doesn't really have to work for it, but that's not to say he's not without his challenges. I've noticed him starting to stress out a bit over school and his grades are starting to reflect that. The thing is, his grades are slipping in one area, but it's bringing his whole mark down... are you ready for this... it's in COLOURING! He is a 12 year old boy who only holds a writing instrument under duress and he's being marked and help up against 12 year old professional scrapbookers (that would be the girls). He is not a neat, tidy, precision cutting, colour in the lines and fineline everything kind of kid - he never will be - but that seems to be who he's being asked to be on a fairly consistent basis. Grade the kid on the content of something and he'll have all A's, add all the colouring and he's suddenly an average student with average abilities.
The one thing homeschooling did for Brendan was remind him that he's a very smart kid with a lot of gifts and talents. Did I mention that there was no colouring while he was homeschooled? There were a lot of discussions, books read, oral presentations, and he did everything on the computer - with NO COMPLAINTS! He remembered that he liked to learn things. He's been back in school for two months and the love of learning has dwindled to something unrecognizable. He doesn't even really read anymore.
How will we ever turn out a future generation of thinkers, problem solvers, and leaders if all school wants to do is pump out a product of carbon copy, mediocre, workers. I understand that there are some kids who will rise above the system and shine, despite of it, unfortunately, Brendan is not one of them. He will be dragged down and beaten by the system.
I need to find a way to work with him, if he really wants to stay in school. The Brendan that goes to school is not nearly as fun as the one who stayed home.
I learned today that I need to remember my feelings about Brendan and school when I'm planning and leading any of my KidzTown programs. Our kids deserve to be taught in a way that they understand. They deserve to know that they all have gifts and talents and they need to be given every opportunity to use them.