{fall Parent Teacher Conferences 2013}
I could post about the crappy and awful time we are having helping Katie give up her binky, but I am too tired to think about it anymore right now. Just know, if you were wondering, that it is NOT going smoothly.
On a topic happier to write about, I had Parent Teacher Conferences for Gracie and Luke last night and I left the school smiling from ear to ear and just feeling so proud of those two kids. They are both having a wonderful school year in all ways. Gracie, especially, seems to be just thriving this year.
I feel the need to apologize upfront for any over-the-top mama pride I might gush out as I continue writing this post. Please forgive me.
Gracie's report card this time around was the first time she has ever gotten grades in school (rather than being marked as beginning, developing, or secure on specific skills), and I was pleased to see that she received all A's. Her teacher says she is "shining" in each and every subject, but is especially strong in writing and reading.
My favorite part, though, was hearing about her attitude and behavior in school. As a parent, I am almost more concerned about this than the academic side of things. I just like the assurance that my kids are kind to others and have friends at school. I was so happy to be told that Gracie is having a great time this year. The narrative on her report card reads:
"Gracie always has a beautiful smile on her face and is a fabulous fifth grader! She has had an awesome start... very responsible, happy, friendly, polite, well-liked by all of her classmates, and a natural leader! She is conscientious, hard working, extremely creative, and always gives her best..... (a couple of paragraphs about specific subjects follow, and then it concludes with-).... Gracie has a bright, gentle, beautiful spirit and brings joy and light to our classroom every day. I am so happy to be sharing her fifth grade year with her!"
As you can imagine, I left the conference ready to run home and wrap my arms around that girl!
I next went to two conferences for Luke, one with his classroom teacher and one with his enrichment teacher. Both report that he is also having a great year. I was amused that both teachers used many of the same phrases (and, in fact, the same phrases that I have heard from Luke's teachers since he was in preschool). He is "a deep thinker" who "challenges ideas" and "loves to learn" and is "uncomfortable when he gets stuck or doesn't understand something." They both report that he is a very active (this made me smile) contributor to class discussion and has things to add to every topic discussed. This was the point in each conference that I made sure this was not coded "teacher talk" for being a know-it-all, but they both said it was not a problem and that they enjoyed his contributions.
Both teachers discussed his strong logical, mathematical brain as well as his dislike of public speaking of any kind. His classroom teacher shared some areas we can work on, most specifically in writing and oral reading. Evidently his reading comprehension level is off the charts, but his fluency could use some improvement. Luke's report card narrative concludes with-
"Luke is a wonderful member of our classroom community. He is a kind young man with great character. You should feel very proud of him."
I do. I feel very proud of both of them. Yay, Gracie and Luke!
On a topic happier to write about, I had Parent Teacher Conferences for Gracie and Luke last night and I left the school smiling from ear to ear and just feeling so proud of those two kids. They are both having a wonderful school year in all ways. Gracie, especially, seems to be just thriving this year.
I feel the need to apologize upfront for any over-the-top mama pride I might gush out as I continue writing this post. Please forgive me.
Gracie's report card this time around was the first time she has ever gotten grades in school (rather than being marked as beginning, developing, or secure on specific skills), and I was pleased to see that she received all A's. Her teacher says she is "shining" in each and every subject, but is especially strong in writing and reading.
My favorite part, though, was hearing about her attitude and behavior in school. As a parent, I am almost more concerned about this than the academic side of things. I just like the assurance that my kids are kind to others and have friends at school. I was so happy to be told that Gracie is having a great time this year. The narrative on her report card reads:
"Gracie always has a beautiful smile on her face and is a fabulous fifth grader! She has had an awesome start... very responsible, happy, friendly, polite, well-liked by all of her classmates, and a natural leader! She is conscientious, hard working, extremely creative, and always gives her best..... (a couple of paragraphs about specific subjects follow, and then it concludes with-).... Gracie has a bright, gentle, beautiful spirit and brings joy and light to our classroom every day. I am so happy to be sharing her fifth grade year with her!"
As you can imagine, I left the conference ready to run home and wrap my arms around that girl!
I next went to two conferences for Luke, one with his classroom teacher and one with his enrichment teacher. Both report that he is also having a great year. I was amused that both teachers used many of the same phrases (and, in fact, the same phrases that I have heard from Luke's teachers since he was in preschool). He is "a deep thinker" who "challenges ideas" and "loves to learn" and is "uncomfortable when he gets stuck or doesn't understand something." They both report that he is a very active (this made me smile) contributor to class discussion and has things to add to every topic discussed. This was the point in each conference that I made sure this was not coded "teacher talk" for being a know-it-all, but they both said it was not a problem and that they enjoyed his contributions.
Both teachers discussed his strong logical, mathematical brain as well as his dislike of public speaking of any kind. His classroom teacher shared some areas we can work on, most specifically in writing and oral reading. Evidently his reading comprehension level is off the charts, but his fluency could use some improvement. Luke's report card narrative concludes with-
"Luke is a wonderful member of our classroom community. He is a kind young man with great character. You should feel very proud of him."
I do. I feel very proud of both of them. Yay, Gracie and Luke!
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