LIKE STARS

The Movie - “Like Stars on Earth”
Negative practices
Intervention (in general)
Intervention (literacy skills)
Both the parents,,the teachers and the school were blind to the kid's immense difficulty.
1. Ishaan did third grade twice because of he practically failed all his subjects. How could he not without knowing how to read and write? The language teacher insisted that he would read, even after he told her that the letters were dancing. Despite his unease and embarrassment she kept yelling "read the dancing letters" until she bursted with fury and kicked him out of the classroom. Even though he obediently kept waiting outside, she did not bother to talk with him, show she cares. She did not try to get to the bottom of his behavior, because she was convinced that he was just a naughty, disobedient, lazy boy, who enjoys being the clown of the class and does everything on purpose.
The math teacher said in front of Ishaan's face: "We cannot believe he is Johan's brother"…. Another teacher complained Ishhan always made excuses for leaving the classroom. She pointed out how terrible his hand-writing was (practically looked like Russian). During the parents meeting in the school, the principal politely pointed out that Ishaan is slow, probably has low intelligence and that he needs to enter a special school.  So: multitude of signs were there: (terrible handwriting, terrible spelling, absolutely failure in a l l subjects despite doing the whole grade a second time, consistent inability to read, avoidance from class, making excuses to be relieved from this terrifying most frustrating offensive place called school. But still, it did ring warning bells.. the assumptions were wrong.

2. His parents sent him to a boarding school. With all his difficulties, feelings of frustration, being hurt by adults around him and his classmates- his parents also "gave up", punished him , in his eyes. The family that was the most secure place for him, was then taken away.
3. In the boarding school his life were even tougher. The literature teacher let him translate a poem the minute he entered the class for the first time. Ishaan was terrified. Still, he gave such a sensitive and good interpretation, but the teacher that was waiting to hear a robotic spilled out answer, reproached him for stuttering (instead of commanding his effort and helping him phrase, or spell out, his interpretation.
4. In art teacher we, viewers, assumed that Ishaan will flourish and easily express himself. However, the teacher, who was so preoccupied with the kids forming perfect lines while copying from the board, hit Ishaan with a chalk, (an offensive act in itself), for getting bored…. He then hit him on the hand with a ruler. How sad…
5. The language teacher kept repeating the question while yelling frantically : "Why don't you try?? Why can't you?, idiot!".
A child with learning disabilities needs not only good instruction which considers h i s own strengths and weaknesses (help on cognitive – analytical-physical level), but also a lot of emotional support. His self-esteem and confidence in himself must be regained/ built.
The substitute teacher:
1. The substitute art teacher did all of that: he bonded with the child. He delicately let him know of his difficulties and simultaneously complemented him for his talent/ creativity when he told the class about genius famous people (like Einstein, De Vinci..) who also struggled reading and writing and even failed school.
2. As a child that was most of the time ridiculed at by teachers and peers, the art teacher gave Ishaan an opportunity to "shine"- show his talent in front of the whole school. He set up an art contest especially for Ishaan…..
3. Once the young art teacher recognized that Ishaan has a problem (failing all subjects, shutting himself away, refusing to talk..) – he makes a caring effort and checks his notebooks, goes to his home to get deeper background about the child. He does not blame Ishaan for being lazy, nor does he dismisses his "situation" as being stupid/incompetent/having low intelligence. He investigates. He tries to reach out for Ishaan. And so – he informs the parents about Ishaan's dyslexia. He explains his "bad" wild behavior(that it is easier to say "I don't want to" than admitting "I can't) and he reprimands the father, later on in the movie, for not providing support, warmth, security and reassurance for Ishaan. "a kiss, a hug , this is caring. So what if you failed. I am here for you anyway…". In short, the teacher explains (although harshly) how important it is to acknowledge the gifts/strengths/abilities a child has and not look only for top scores, nothing but excellence.
4. The young teacher worked not only on literacy. He also dealt with Ishaan's physical problem to perform certain actions (i.e. his gross and delicate motoric abilities): getting dressed, playing with a ball, working with plastic sticks, writing the number 8 in different sizes.
The mother: Ishaan's mother invested a lot of time and effort sitting with Ishaan, explaining and checking his homework. Of course, it was futile.