Blow Away Parent-Teacher Conferences

Yes, every time I get so excited to talk to a teacher, it is not even funny! Thing is, it is not like I do not know how kiddos are doing. I see their pretests, I see their tests, I see their worksheets. Conferences is something more. It is when you hear from another authority adult how your child is doing academically and socially. Every year/marking period that we had those conferences (twice a year), we always had great ones. This one simply blew me away.
I posted report cards a few posts away. Both kids did a great job this marking period from my state point but that is what teachers said.
I met with Ms. Dentler first. As soon as I walked in, she said she can't say enough how much she loves Kyra. She is always positive, she is helpful, she is excited about learning. She is advanced in all the areas.
-  In reading she is at comprehension level 8, although she is pushed at level 10 now when the goal for this time of the year is 4.
- Her writing is incredible. I can not believe 1st grader writes what she writes - one example from her portfolio: "In the past Emma and me were enormous and powerful. People were in danger because we were giants". Look at the words - no big, it is enormous. There is no sentences that start with I, etc. I will post another piece she did. I love seeing her progress as a writer so much!
- In spelling she did all the tests 100% and right now she is studying 3rd marking period words. Ms. Dentler expects her to work on 2nd grade words probably in the spring.
- In math, she just flies by. When kids are given 3 different sheets to do, she is done with 3 when some children are done with one. That is when help comes from Kyra - she asks if she can help someone and Ms. Dentler lets her "tutor" someone.
Last thing Ms. Dentler said that she asked the school so she could let us know about the time Kyra can be tested for gifted program. She indicated she had no worries that Kyra would slow down much. She seems like she will be just flying with stuff faster than an average student. They do not test students until the end of 1st grade. Typically either teachers recommend to parents or parents can ask the school to test their child themselves.

As for Mrs. Weimer and Brandon.. As soon as I said Hello, Mrs. Weimer exclaimed that she "loves the heck out of Brandon". He is such a well behaved, respectful child. He follows directions well, he is a good leader. When she puts him in a group of children who tend to wander away from the task, he is really good at keeping them all on track and they look up to him. What is impressive is that it is not him who follow their path to wander off but it is them who listen to him.
- his rocket math skills are where he is supposed to be - at 40,
- his reading level is 30, exactly where he is supposed to be
- and his oral fluency in reading is incredible. Expectation is by the end of school year to read 100 words a minute. Right now his average speed is 143 words a minute.
She did mentioned earlier that he has higher level of thinking skills, excellent class participation and she has no concern from the list she sent home a few days earlier. She said if she had all the children like Brandon, she would have been on vacation. :) He is a very strong student and the way he always behaves well at school, she would just take him home with her. :) I could see how excited she was to have him in her class.

We will have to talk with Jimmy about possiblility of testing both kids. If that is something we will want to proceed with, we would need to have a talk with Mrs. Weimer about it as well.
I can not say enough how much proud I am of both kids. May be some things come very easy at this point to them, but still, being helpful, follow directions, behave respectful is still conscious choice. I am very, very proud of them.