Isaac in two dimensions
This past Tuesday was Isaac's first parent-teacher conference. Since his preschool does one evaluation per year, Miss Susie and Miss Barbara have apparently been filing certain things away and keeping diligent notes on Isaac's progress all year long. If I was as organized as these two, I think my life would be better in about a trillion ways. Yet another reason Miss Susie and Miss Barbara are like gods to me.
My conference with them was 15 minutes long, and directed entirely by this three-page report they had filled out about Isaac. The report evaluated general areas -- social/emotional development, language, cognitive development, physical development, and large motor skills -- breaking each area down into a list of over 70 specific skills. Next to each skill, Isaac was given a non-threatening letter grade, either "E" for "consistently evident", "L" for "learning", and "N" for "not yet evident." Examples of skills on which Isaaac got an "E" included "follows simple directions", "asks for help when needed", "handles bathroom routines independently", "recognizes numerals one to ten", and "runs smoothly".
Isaac had a pretty good mix of "E"s and "L"s. Miss Susie and Miss Barbara were quick to tell me that was perfectly normal, and even expected, for their 3's class. His "cognitive development" scores are his best, true to his nerdy genes -- he knows almost all of his letters and can name words that begin with them, among other things. His "large motor skills" were mostly "L"s, because he can be fearful when it comes to climbing and playing ball games.
Isaac got only four "N"s. Two were in "large motor skills" -- he won't pump his legs on a swing (because, with me at least, he hates swinging), and he won't walk on their brand-new and skinny balance beam. Duh. The only thing his teachers wanted me to work on with him over the summer was his "N" for pencil grip. While Isaac is writing letters like nobody's business, he insists on holding his implement with his whole fist. They gave me a list of activities to do with him to boost his fine motor skills, such as stringing beads and gluing-type crafts.
Isaac's last "N" made me laugh out loud. I found it under "solves problems with words". Miss Susie and Miss Barbara told me many of their 3s struggle with that one. It's good to know that we aren't alone, because LORDY if that one doesn't cause daily frustration in this household.
The report ended with a section "Your child especially enjoys..." . Are you surprised that Isaac got a check next to "dramatic play"? He also likes "manipulatives" and "books". Welcome to my day, Susie and Barbara.
His teachers praised his progress through the year over and over, giving me a startling visual example of how far Isaac has come. Towards the start of the year, they asked each kid to draw a self portrait. Here was Isaac's:
Then, just recently, they asked for another. Miss Barbara actually said, "Drumroll, please!" when she was whipping this one out:
Miss Susie and Miss Barbara ended by telling me Isaac was an eager learner and they look forward to working with him next year. And with him already signed up for their 4s class, we look forward to another year of their patient tutelage.
My conference with them was 15 minutes long, and directed entirely by this three-page report they had filled out about Isaac. The report evaluated general areas -- social/emotional development, language, cognitive development, physical development, and large motor skills -- breaking each area down into a list of over 70 specific skills. Next to each skill, Isaac was given a non-threatening letter grade, either "E" for "consistently evident", "L" for "learning", and "N" for "not yet evident." Examples of skills on which Isaaac got an "E" included "follows simple directions", "asks for help when needed", "handles bathroom routines independently", "recognizes numerals one to ten", and "runs smoothly".
Isaac had a pretty good mix of "E"s and "L"s. Miss Susie and Miss Barbara were quick to tell me that was perfectly normal, and even expected, for their 3's class. His "cognitive development" scores are his best, true to his nerdy genes -- he knows almost all of his letters and can name words that begin with them, among other things. His "large motor skills" were mostly "L"s, because he can be fearful when it comes to climbing and playing ball games.
Isaac got only four "N"s. Two were in "large motor skills" -- he won't pump his legs on a swing (because, with me at least, he hates swinging), and he won't walk on their brand-new and skinny balance beam. Duh. The only thing his teachers wanted me to work on with him over the summer was his "N" for pencil grip. While Isaac is writing letters like nobody's business, he insists on holding his implement with his whole fist. They gave me a list of activities to do with him to boost his fine motor skills, such as stringing beads and gluing-type crafts.
Isaac's last "N" made me laugh out loud. I found it under "solves problems with words". Miss Susie and Miss Barbara told me many of their 3s struggle with that one. It's good to know that we aren't alone, because LORDY if that one doesn't cause daily frustration in this household.
The report ended with a section "Your child especially enjoys..." . Are you surprised that Isaac got a check next to "dramatic play"? He also likes "manipulatives" and "books". Welcome to my day, Susie and Barbara.
His teachers praised his progress through the year over and over, giving me a startling visual example of how far Isaac has come. Towards the start of the year, they asked each kid to draw a self portrait. Here was Isaac's:
Then, just recently, they asked for another. Miss Barbara actually said, "Drumroll, please!" when she was whipping this one out:
Miss Susie and Miss Barbara ended by telling me Isaac was an eager learner and they look forward to working with him next year. And with him already signed up for their 4s class, we look forward to another year of their patient tutelage.
posted by Claire at 6:26 PM
2 Comments:
what an improvement with the self portrait.
No wonder his teacher said "Drum roll". Great Self Portrait!
It's great that Isaac likes Preschool--looks like it's been really good for him.
How's it going on the sign ups for next year?
I really like the teachers and their approach in letting the kids learn at their own pace--really relaxed.
I was surprised about the swinging thing--he always wanted me to swing in his tree swing. Can I put in another pitch for a swing set to appear in your backayard?:-)Pumping your legs is not something that comes naturally--I remember teaching you and Chris--watch out when he gets it--you always pumped until you were even with the top of the swingset--we had to anchor the swingset in our backyard:-)Did Mike like to swing when he was little? Good times.
Meemaw's proud:-)
Post a Comment
<< Home