Conferences

Where to begin.... we had early morning conferences this morning, and I couldn't be happier.

I'll just start with Riley...

Mr. Kluesner still finds Riley a joy in class. He really wishes he could have had Riley 2 years in a row. (Riley's class is a 2nd/3rd grade class.) Since this isn't possible, he's hoping for Reece, who is 2 years away. Riley does wonderful in all areas. His strongest areas are Reading, Spelling, and Math. When asked, he says Math is his favorite.

Riley's Reading level is at "R", and his expectation is "O." I often wonder why Riley doesn't "love" to read, but it's not a subject he struggles in, so I can't fret too much.

On Spelling tests he has a 100% (class average is 72%), Skills tests is 100% too (class is 74%), Cloze test is 94% (class average is 84%). We work daily on Spelling, and it shows. Most often he has to be tested once, and if there is a mistake, that is enough to correct it. He gets "challenge" words that come from the 4th grade level, and occasionally they prove to be a challenge.

In Math, Riley does amazing. His test scores are at 96% (class average is 81%) They also use the Rubric system, 0-3, and Riley falls at 2.9 (class is at 2.1). Then he has his daily work, which is 98% (class is 88%). Obviously, he is understanding this level. Mr. K. said there are some topics that Riley and one other student pick up so easily after a couple lessons, that he moves them to work on the same lesson, but at a 4th grade level.

Riley is doing great in all other areas, just these were his top ones. In Social Studies, Riley will be writing a biography on Babe Ruth. They will put on a "Wax Museum", so Riley needs to find a costume, then other students will be walking up to him, pressing a pretend button, and Riley will come alive to read his biography.

Lastly, Riley is scored on his 8 Keys of Success. This time he was graded on "This Is It" (a.k.a. focusing), "Ownership" (taking responsibility), "Speak with Good Purpose" (Speak thoughtfully and respectfully), and "Failure Leads To Success" (Learning from failures.) Mr. K. says he never gives 5's, but with Riley, he really feels he shows all of these keys, and he lives by them in the class, so 5's all around is what he got.
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Next we have, Reece.

Not sure how to report on a Kindergartner.... Mrs. Olander loves Reece. Thank goodness, because they loop, which means she gets the same kids for 1st grade.

Reece has mastered over 70 sight words, his reading level is at "C." Kindergarten expects level "B" by end of year. He was asked to count, and was stopped at 150 (goal is 50). He can write up to 100, and has corrected his "teens." (Goal is 20) He was the only child to identify the different coins and amounts. Reece is a strong Math student.

Reece received his strongest score in Art. He is very neat and exact with his work. No coloring outside the lines and very detailed.

Reece's Key's scores.... "Ownership" he got a 4, "Speak with Good Purpose" was a 3, "Failure Leads to Success" is a 4, and he didn't get a score yet on "Integrity", but she noted...

"Reece is an awesome kindergarten student. He is a good listener, makes good choices for his school behavior, and is a kind and thoughtful friend. He is a hard, careful worker and is very dependable!"

She was happy to report, that Reece suddenly stopped tattling. Not sure how or when, but it's not happening anymore. I'm very happy about this. He is growing up so fast!

I just love walking out of conferences, feeling like I have the best kids in the world! Thanks boys!!