Parent Teacher Conferences

Our first parent teacher conference of the first grade this past week.  Again, the report was pretty much as expected.  Everything "Satisfactory", with the exception of penmanship, which was "Needs Improvement".  We're working really hard on fine motor at home.  It's been an ongoing issue.  I personally was surprised that  Conduct was given a "Satisfactory" grade, given the frequency with which I hear through the boys that they have moved their clip at school.  I asked the teacher about this.  Colby, apparently, doesn't care if he moves his clip to Yellow, because that's just a warning.  He rarely moves his clip all the way to Red.  Quinn, whenever he moves his clip, falls apart in tears and blames the world for whatever misconduct.  It's NEVER his fault.  But the teacher pointed out that they seemed no different than the majority of little boys in her room.  Just more messy and disorganized.  MORE little boy than most little boys.  But still NORMAL.  We insisted on hearing those words from her mouth.  Rob asked specifically.  So the "Satisfactory" in Conduct was more of a gift, I think.... and more of a "meeting class average for little boys."  And not that it is REALLY satisfactory.  We'll take it, regardless.

I asked her if she thought the boys were working up to their potential.  This is what she said.....
"They're at the top of the class for reading, and above-average for math.  But NO.  I don't think they're working up to their potential, because I think they could be even higher than that if they were more organized and more careful with their work."  On standardized testing, they scored just about where they need to to PASS the first grade - and it's only the first quarter.  I was pleased with that.  Apparently LISTENING (suprirse suprirse) and following through to completion (suprirse surprise) are not their strong suit.  They rush through their work so that they can have free time to read books in the reading corner. SIGH.  It could be alot worse.  At least they're not struggling academically, and I was glad to hear that.  I suggested to the teacher to have them run laps in the gym if needed before it's time to sit.  She kind of laughed about that, and I said "NO.  I'm SERIOUS.  They'll do much better for you."