For any lingering question about our conferences

This post is just in case there are any questions about the conferences we had last month. We are currently reassessing (yes, it has already been that long) and it made me feel like this would be a good refresher for everyone. With this wild weather and so few days left, it seemed prudent to get this information out before we leave for break and have big changes when we get back.

Here is what was on the table, literally, during our conferences in November.

The white conference notes page- After assessing your child at the beginning of the year and working with them I have written up a set of goals for your child. These goals reflect each section of the report card that is going home in January.  Each section is based on the Common Core Standards for what kindergarteners are expected to know by the end of the year. The hand written notes are my current goals for your student. These change month-by-month depending on your child’s mastery of each skill. Some sections your child has mastered more than others.  That is developmentally expected at this age and is nothing to fret over. Some of my notes say “see assessment” because that is where I would pull out examples of where I obtained this current level at the conference. If you have any questions let us set up a time for you to come in.

A blank example Report Card- This is an example of the report card that will be sent home in January. There are many pieces to this and there will be some areas that are not assessed because, naturally, we have not covered all the standards only four months into the school year. By the end of the year it is our goal to have your student proficient in all the standards present in the report card.

A blue Common Core handout- These are the standards we base our report cards on. This handout is to get your feet wet if you have not worked with them yet. Instead of Oregon State Standards, which naturally change when you move state to state, the country is working on standards that hold countrywide. These are the Common Core.

P.E. progress report- Ms. Meredith has given us your student’s current standing in P.E., and would be happy to talk to you about her comments on her sheet. If you have any questions, please contact her directly.

Shape poems book- This is the book we made in class. I kept it for conferences to show you a current example of your child’s writing skills, drawing, and observation skills. They had to draw the shape, hunt for it in the room, and write where they found it. Please share this with your student and practice the poems and shapes together.

ABC chart- This is the alphabet song we sing in class, and use to write in our journals. The kids use it as a tool to check their sounds and letter shaping. Please use it as you see fit during homework, or letting your child teach it to you. No matter how many times it is practiced, it always helps to do it again.

Green reading discussion paper- This is an example of how we discuss books in class. Feel free to use it as a tool to guide you as you enjoy your time reading together at home. This is not homework to be turned in, but something to keep in mind that we as a class are trying to discuss.

Finally there is my maternity leave. I am due December 27^th, so it is my plan to teach up until I go into labor.  I will be gone after winter break and I plan to return after spring break. My sub, Mrs. A., will be talking over my classroom while I am away. The school staff and I have the upmost confidence in her ability and are quite excited to have such an amazing sub.  She will be in charge while I am away and is excited to have the time to get to know your kids while I am gone.  She has become a large part of our classroom community and your child can tell you all about the time they have already spent with her