Mark and I went to Cole’s parent-teacher conference  and all went well.  We arrived and the first thing she says is “Okay, I need to ask you a question that I am a bit embarrassed to ask”  Mark and I are like “oh no”  heehee.   She asked how to pronounce our last name…so we told her and she said since the beginning of the year, she had been saying it like it looks, then one day in October (when Cole was student of the day) she said the class was “interviewing” him and he said his name.  She said to him “Oh my Cole have I been saying your name wrong all this time?”  and he just looked at her and said “yea, I guess so!”   HA!  I told her that it doesn’t surprise me that he wouldn’t have corrected her!  She felt bad, and we just said that’s okay, he’s going to get that a lot.  I’m going to start putting a line over the “o” ! 

Anyway, his report card was good, there are some things we discussed that need improving, non of which we were surprised to hear.  Things that mesh with how he was in Kindergarten and  mostly have to do with his “self-control” issues and respecting authority – not that he talks back but needing to listen and do what he is told without argument.  For example, when he is given a warning, to heed that, and then when it’s gone beyond that issue – taking his yellow card without crying about it (which she said had only happened a couple times – Mark was worried he was crying a lot at school)  or making up excuses.  All behaviors we see/get at home and are working on.  She did say that it has been getting better since the first days of school. 

The other thing we talked about was his reading, which he is doing really well with  and is AT benchmark, but some other skills that go along with that need worked on.  For example, making predictions – when they are first about to read a book, they are to go thru and look at the pictures and try and predict what is going on or what could happen.. He just wants to tell you a little bit of what he sees in each picture and won’t elaborate past that thought.  I’ve noticed this while reading at home, he definitely does not have a passion for reading (yet, I hope) – it is more like I know I have to read this book, lets just get it done.  Also, reading with expression – he’s kind of mono-tone.  Mark just looked at me when she said that….he is the same way!  So, they are both going to be working on that one!  Heehee!   So, there is more to Reading than just reading the words….if that were the only case, I would have to say he is above benchmark.  So, we may slow down a bit on the more challenging books and focus on these other important skills. 

 

Okay – here’s the report.  They changed the symbols this year for some odd reason:
*    Consistent
>    Developing
/    Beginning
X   Adaptations

 
Social Development and Personal Work Habits:
Demonstrates Self-Control in Class -  >
Demonstrates Self-Control out of Class - >
Respects Authority - >
Gets along with others - >
Organizes Belongings - >
Works Neatly - >
Completes class work on time - *
Completes homework on time - *
Works Cooperatively with others - >
Stays on Task - *
Works well independently - *

Language Arts: 
Listening/Speaking:
Listens attentively - >
Follows oral directions - >
Participates in speaking activities - *
Can orally express ideas - *

Reading:
Makes predictions about text - >
Read for meaning - >
Decodes words using picture clues - *
Decodes words using rereading - >
Decodes words using phonics - >
Can rhyme words orally - > 
Recognizes word wall words - *

Written Communication: 
Forms letters correctly - >
Spaces words correctly - *
Writes words parts: single consonants - *
Writes word wall words correctly - *
Can write a sentence - *
Uses capital letter appropriately in a sentence - >
Uses correct end punctuation - >

Mathematics:
Forms numerals correctly - *
Understands basic addition facts - *
Interprets charts and graphs - *
Understands basic concepts - *
Accuracy - >

Social Studies:  Family & Neighborhood:
Understands basic concepts - *
Participates in activities - *

Reading Level :  AT Benchmark

Pretty good, almost split even down the middle (just like his first report from last year) total of 37 areas observed having 19 >’s and 18 *’s.   Cole said himself that he didn’t have very many stars, but I told him it was his first report and we talked about the areas he can work on for next marking period.  He seemed a bit upset with himself….but confident that he can change a few of them.  I also told him that his teacher said that he had a very creative mind and could really come up with some creative and interesting ideas.  Mark and I were especially glad to hear that he was actually participating in class.  One thing I never did or enjoyed doing…having that fear of being wrong.  We discussed his social skills and shyness issues.  She said she sees him playing with others kids, however it is always the same group and they have their moments of getting along…heehee.

 No major red flags but we have some things to work on.