Teacher Conference
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| Wed, 12-20-2006 - 6:27am |
The teacher conference was last night and it went much better than I anticipated it would. Even though we are only slotted for a 10 minute period, I always grab the last one on a day, so in case we go long (which in Joey's case I knew we would), its not a problem... We wound up talking for nearly an hour.
And despite best intentions, I didn't have much time to prepare, as I had hoped, but... I was pleased as she was much more upbeat and positive in person, than she is on those forms that get sent home. I brought up at a point how difficult it is to read all that has gone bad in a day and she admitted that some parents actually tell her to stop sending them--they want to know, but this is just too much to hear day in and day out... I gave her the updates from the meeting with the pre-K coordinator, who was also supposed to join us, but didn't for some reason.
I also mentioned how pleased I was to see things on that report that she is sending home that show me that she is working with him--ie on Friday, during rest time, he apparently didn't nap, but he did run an errand with her and he loves to help... and then yesterday--he did well, 11/13, (I hadn't seen yesterday's report before the conference), it had continued, because he still got a smile for rest time, even though he rested for the first half and then drew on a white board--which is still a quiet activity--but by giving him those options, they are helping him succeed in the way he knows how to... if that makes sense...
As far as his progress report, which he'll get two of throughout the year, the only got a needs development on his social and emotional skills (and we all knew he'd get it there)... but even with that, her comments were, for the most part positive, "J displays a high level of self confidence in the classroom. He is eager to learn and explore new materials. When engaged, Joseph will attend to a task through completion. J demonstrates improvement with self-control and peer interactions. We continue to work with him on managing transitions, participating in the group life of the class and following classroom rules and routines."
In all other areas, Language and Literacy, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, The Arts and Physical Development, he got an As Expected Rating, which is the only other choice at this level. Some commnets that really spoke to me included, "J speaks fluently using advanced vocabulary on a variety of subjects, particularly sports and transportation, J draws on previously learned knowledge to make comparisons with new information (and then the teacher got in a big discussion about how many learning opportunities we have given him with our trips to the Aquariums, Kennedy Space Center, etc and that he has gotten a lot out of those experiences which he relates back to the class), and J is a leader in the classroom however we work with him on leading for the appropriate reasons and demonstrating awareness of the rules."
Anyway, over all I was pleased. And I'm trying to get out of my box when I look at those reports... and I wanted to update all of you...
Julie

That sounds really positive (and encouraging)--I'm encouraged by hearing those kinds of comments from his teacher... and I'm glad that they do recognize all of his many, many, MANY strengths!!, and that they are continuing to keep you informed (even when it's not good, it's still important that you know exactly where he is... and by letting them know that you want to keep hearing that, you have a better chance of them continuing to work with him in such positive ways).
Smile mom!
Karen ~ wildlucky4me ~
Ya know... I can just picture Joey as a pilot
Karen ~ wildlucky4me ~