This week Jon’s teacher has been sending him home with copy-typing exercises: A list of 10 words to be read out loud, for Jon to spell and type out on the keyboard.
The first word: “the”. First Jon sneers (and types) “T—H—O“, and later on, “Z—H—E”, adding “It’s a silent ‘Z’!” He makes sure he pronounces it “zee”, because he knows it bugs the hell out of mom and dad. Every single word on the list is mangled in this obstreperous fashion.
The next day Jon’s told that if he messes up the words on purpose again, he won’t get a particular bedtime privilege. When I read out “the” Jon sullenly says “T—H—O“, but this time types it out correctly. Almost every word is spelled incorrectly aloud, but all are typed out just fine. He knows for damn sure what he can get away with!
What kind of wiseacre are we raising?
Addendum: Jon’s teacher didn’t fully believe our troubles until Wednesday. That’s when she was teaching a lesson to the whole class and asked Jon when she needed an answer (he knew it all from last year). He intentionally answered every question wrong.
Well, now teacher and parents are all on the same page again.
Word for the day: Obstreperous