Parent Teacher Conferences

It just makes my heart swell to have someone talk nice about my children so after last night my heart should have burst. Neil and I were able to meet with Conner and Sam's teachers each for about 30 minutes and all they said were nice things about each of them. First off is Conner. Okay I know he's pretty amazing but his teacher just confirmed it once again. She said that he is very highly gifted but that you would never know it because he is so humble and willing to help any of his classmates. She often pairs him with those that need extra help because he is so patient. I guess having to help his younger brothers, especially Mikey, has really paid off. He's reading at a 5th grade level and his math level was 4.78. He scored in the 99th percentile on the second grade national math test. She said she's never had anyone do that well and she wasn't sure if you could even be in the 100th percentile. All in all Conner makes her look good as a teacher. She is awesome and just loves Conner. She said she has a hard time not calling on him all the time because she loves to hear what he has to say and his ideas. I volunteer for 1 1/2 hours on Wednesdays in the classroom and it is just so fun. All the kids are on task and loving learning. She's asked some of us parents to come in and do science experiments of our choice with the kids when we volunteer so we're heading to the library first thing Monday to get books for some ideas. That should be a lot of fun. Even though I was very hesitant about moving into our neighborhood because the school is a Title I school I am so glad we did. The boys have had nothing but amazing teachers that have really taken an interest in them and motivated and challenged them. Since it's Title I all the teachers have tutors that come in and in the 2nd grade about 6 come in at one time and they do power reading and each group is able to read at their level for 30 minutes with a coach. It is simply amazing to see what goes on in the classroom. Conner has been recommended for the Spectrum program, the all day gifted program. His teacher has only had one student get accepted since she's been teaching so we'll see. The students have to be tested so a lot of it has to do if they test well or not. As a parent, I hope he gets in because then he'll be around peers who think like he does but on the other hand I wonder if it is the right thing for him. As far as socially, he's doing fine. He's not a shy kid but is content to be by himself and his teacher feels that is fine. He is happy to work with other kids though. I love my Conner and he simply amazes me. I wish I could take credit for his smarts but I know he was just born with a great mind and it's my job to make sure he has opportunities to develop it. It stresses me out sometimes because I don't always know what to do to help him reach his potential but I rely greatly on the Lord for direction. He has started taking piano lessons and really likes it and is catching on fast. We're hoping this will help round him out.

Now onto my Sammy. He's doing great as well. He has already mastered all the kindergarten curriculum so his teacher is starting to send home first grade work and harder books to read. He just loves school. He is such a happy go lucky little boy. He is more interested in his friends and recess than actually learning anything but I think that's how most kids are. He's a little smarty pants too. They are having a 1st grade pilot program of Spectrum next year so I'm going to have Sammy tested too. His chances are slim since only 20 out of the whole district are accepted but it would be awesome if they both got in because then the boys would go to the same school otherwise if only one gets in they'll be at two different schools with one on traditional and the other year round schedule. I also volunteer in Sam's class on Mondays for an hour and that's about all I can take. Whoa, kindergarten in hard. I don't see how his teacher does it all day. Sam's class is very chatty but surprisingly Sam actually stays on task most of the time and is rarely part of the problem. I love my Sam and am so glad he's enjoying school!

Now little Mikey just wishes he could go to school. I do our baby school with him a couple times a week but he really wants it every day. I've been having major behavior issues with Mikey and wonder if having it every day would help so he can get that one on one attention that he craves. It just means less time to get my own projects done or dishes or whatever. But what is more important.

I am so excited for the kids to be off track. I've got lots of fun activities planned.

Since the boys conferences went so well we went to Chick Filet for dinner. For us to eat their it costs the same as going to Chuck a Rama, but the hour was late and it's close to our home. The boys had a ball in the playplace. It was a very rewarding night for us all.