Conferences

Bailey and Gerry had conferences last week, and they were amazing.

{Before I continue, I should probably catch us all up to speed since it's been so long since I regularly posted here.  Bailey is 9 years old and in 4th grade.  Gerry is almost 7 and in 1st grade.}

Honestly, I never have worries about conferences with either kid.  They're both intelligent hard workers, and are respectful in the classroom (they save their crazy for at home).  Their character is and always has been more important to me than their grades.  That being said, holy moly, do they impress me in the classroom!

Bailey's conference was first.  She's my independent worker.  She very rarely needs help with homework, and it frustrates her when she does need some help.  She's been reading at a mid-5th grade level since 3rd grade and she exceeded the 1,000 sight words that they need to know back in 2nd grade.  She's very smart when it comes to language arts and reading.  Math is her favorite subject, but not her strongest.  4th grade math is a whole different ball game and, while she does well, she's not quite as confident in that area as she is in language arts.  But she's still doing great and her teacher says she'll have no problem adjusting to academics in the middle school next year.  

Her teacher says that she's polite, respectful, and doesn't treat any of her peers differently.  She works well with others and she's helpful without being condescending.  They say that she's funny without even trying to be sometimes and that she actively participates in the classroom.

Gerry's conference was next.  He was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome over the summer so we've been adjusting to and navigating the different behaviors that go along with it.  Like Bailey, he's very smart.  He's reading at a mid-1st grade level and he knows 910 sight words, which is amazing.  To put it into perspective, first graders should know 50 sight words by the end of the year; Gerry knows 910 in the first marking period.  Math is his strong suit these days, and his area of confidence.  His teacher says that he's also respectful and a hard worker, and that he's kind to all of the kids in the class.  The only thing she'd like him to work on is advocating for himself more in the classroom.  She said that Gerry is very hesitant to ask for help and, more often than not, he waits for the teacher to catch his eye before signaling that he needs a hand.  She'd like for him to become more comfortable with raising his hand and letting her know that he's struggling.

All in all, two very awesome report cards and conferences.  I'm a proud mom!