Kindergarten - Report Card

The first trimester is complete for Kindergarten and we had Drew's parent teacher conference as well as received his first report card of the year.  I'll get to the "grades" in a moment, but first the highlighted notes.

She said Drew was very smart, off the chart for everything and her biggest challenge is to make sure he stays challenged and feels so.  She commented that he's lacking modesty (my paraphrasing) and being a bit of a know it all (again my paraphrasing).  So we'll work on him with that... I think its a bit of maturity.

She also mentioned that Drew has some work to do in the social development area - things that all of his teachers have said since day one and the sole reason we did Transitional Kindergarten last year instead of pushing him into Kindergarten.  She said he's short tempered at times and I added the "disrespectful" comment when he's mad... and while she was polite about it she agreed.  It's one of the things we're constantly working with Drew on.

OK so the grades.... we still aren't receiving letter grades, but rather:

•  √ (checkmark) = Meets/Exceeds Standard
• O = Working Toward Standard
• AC = Area of Concern
• X - Not Taught yet/Assessed

* Some X items are no longer graded in Kindergarten under the Common Core Standard taught at our schools

Language Arts
Word Analysis, Fluency, Systematic Vocabulary Development
Identifies Concepts of print (left to right, spacing words, top to bottom - √
Names uppercase letters (26) -26
Names uppercase letters (26) - 26
Names & identifies all letter sounds - consonants- √
Names & identifies all letter sounds - vowels - √
Phonemic Awareness (oral) - Blends sounds - √
Phonemic Awareness (oral) - Substitutes sounds - X
Phonemic Awareness (oral) - Segments Sounds - √
Identifies/produces rhyming words - identify - √
Identifies/produces rhyming words - Produce -O
     (she commented that he was stumped trying to rhyme for "sun")
Distinguishes beginning and ending sounds - Beginning - √
Distinguishes beginning and ending sounds -Ending - √
Reads sight words and CVC words - Sight words - √
Reads sight words and CVC words -CVC - √
Identifies the number of words in sentences and syllables in words - X

Reading Comprehension/Literary Response
Uses pictures and context to make predictions about story content - √
Retells familiar stories including character, setting and important events - X
Asks and answers questions about story elements - √

Writing Strategies, Applications, Conventions
Writes name correctly, First - √
Writes name correctly, Last - X
Writes upper and lower case letters independently - √
Writes consonant - vowel - consonant words - √
Writes from left to right and top to bottom with proper spacing - √
Writes words and brief sentences that are legible - √
Uses letter and phonetically spelled words to write about a specific topic - √

Listening and Speaking
Shares ideas using complete sentences - √
Recites short poems, rhymes and songs - X
Narrates personal experiences - √

Mathematcis
Number Sense
Counts objects accurately to 30 - √
Represents 10 or less by grouping objects - √
Understands more than/less than/equal - √
Counts by 1 - √
Counts by 2 - X
Counts by 5 - X
Counts by 10 - X
Recognizes numbers to 30 - √
Writes numbers to 30 - √
Uses estimation strategies -X
Demonstrates the concept of +/- with objects - X

Algebra and Function
Identifies, sorts and classifies objects by attribute - √

Measurement and Geometry
Compares length, weight, and volume - X
Understands time concepts - O
    *she said his struggle was confirming what day yesterday was, today and tomorrow
Names the days of the week - √
Identifies geometric shapes (square, circle, triangle, rectangle) - √
Describes common geometric shapes - √
Identifies 3-dimensional shapes (sphere, cone, cube, cylinder) - √

Statistics/Data Analysis/Probability
Understands and uses pictographs - X
Recognizes/describes/extends patterns - X

Mathematical reasoning
Models and explains problems/solutions - X

Science - Earth Life Physical
Observes and compares - O
Communicates findings and observations - O

Social Studies
Geographic, Historical and community concepts - O

Creative Arts
Participates in music, art drama - O

Social Development
Exhibits self control - O
Follows Classroom rules - √
Follows Playground rules - √
Respects others and their property - O
Takes responsibility for own actions - O
Cooperative with adults - O
Resolves conflicts verbally - √
Participates in classroom activities - √

Work Habits
Follows Directions - √
Completes tasks in a timely manner - √
Works neatly and carefully - √
Maintains appropriate attention span - √
Works independently - √
Works well with others - √
Follows classroom routines - √
Exhibits organizational skills - √
Returns notes and homework - √

Physical Development
Gross Motor skills (i.e. hop, balance, ball skills etc.) - O
   * mostly because she doesn't really monitor/grade this
Fine motor skills - (i.e. cut, copy, pencil, control etc.) - √

NOTES: Drew is a bright student who often gets right to any task at hand.  His rich prior knowledge base adds to our class discussions.  We'll set a goal for Drew to work towards in the coming trimester at conference time.

Other fun stories - 
She mentioned there is a new student who doesn't speak much English and is shy.  Drew has taken to him and is working on teaching him how to write or do whatever task is at hand.  One day he was so excited and shouted across the room "He's getting it! He's actually doing it!"  Apparently he was quite the teacher, proud of his "student".

She also mentioned she wants Drew to do some extra projects STEM to create things at home/homework and then come to school to discuss them further.

We have the online reading program - Raz-Kids - that Drew will read books online and take quizzes to progress and challenge him.  She wants to encourage him to do this during computer time at school.  Currently he's reluctant to do so because other kids are doing something else.

All Aboard for a Getaway Weekend

For Christmas last year, my parents gave us a gift certificate toward a B&B we found out about while camping and wine tasting.  The Featherbed Railroad is a unique railroad themed B&B on the north shore of Clearlake in Northern California (about 2 1/2 -3 hours north of us).  Your room is an actual caboose and each has it's own theme.

Get ready for a lot of pictures!

To set the scene for the amount of stress Dave and I were under ahead of this trip - my parents were watching Drew, but that morning our plumbing went out - a tree root broke into our sewer line and they couldn't fix it.  So we were fighting with plumbers before trying to get up to the B&B before the 7pm deadline.  We didn't make it.

Thankfully they were nice enough to leave us a key in the lockbox at our room so we could get in whenever - so we stopped and had dinner in Ukiah.

We got to our room and I said a jacuzzi bath with wine was all I wanted that night. 

The next morning we enjoyed coffee from our cupola - the "upstairs" of the caboose (notice the cupola on the train next to us - it's sort of hidden in the trees).

Looking directly down from our cupola you can see the fountain.  While we were here in November, if it was a bit warmer it would've been so relaxing to have our windows open and hearing that!

The selfies from the cupola with our coffee.

The view behind us on the other side of the cupola.  We stayed in the Wine Country caboose.  Each one has it's own theme.

Here is the tour of our Wine Country Caboose... View from the cupola to the back...

... View from the tub to the front door.  The cupola is just before the front door.

 ... See Dave was still up there!

The caboose from outside.

They are all still on tracks.  It's really really cool.  They even have their own Featherbed Railroad radio station!

The view of the private pier/dock.

View from the Main house (where they served breakfast every morning) looking out toward our rooms and Clearlake is in the background.

Here is the main house.

The detail is so amazing here - right down to the bird houses!!

And there are cute little antiques... the telephone booth (no telephone inside.. only spiders)

And back at our caboose.  We made friends with our "neighbors" and after taking this picture we looked inside both of their rooms.  Next time we'd pay the extra to go for theirs (the Orient Express or La Loose Caboose).

Dave inside the train up in the cupola.

After posting for pictures we set out on our Wine Tasting adventure.  We met a few friends along the way...

First stop (and our only intended stop) was Brassfield.  We've heard folks talk about this winery the last two times we camped up this way, but we never made it there because it's on the opposite side of the lake and well when you've dragged kids to a few wineries the last thing you want to do is take them 45 minutes out of their way.

While this wasn't a convenient location - it was amazing!

We really enjoyed their wines - and the grounds are amazing.  Here is a shot of the lake and town on our drive back down the hill from Brassfield (we took home maybe half a case).

We then hit up 2 other wineries - Gregory Graham (the former winemaker for Rombauer) and one of our favorites Loujor Estates.

After wrapping up at the three wineries we headed back to the B&B and we played one game of bocce ball - where I whipped Dave's butt!  Then it was time to head out to the pier to watch the sunset.

Of course you had to have wine to watch the sunset...

It was a perfect night!  It was cold and windy as the sun set, so we just went grabbed dinner then went back to sleep - Dave caught a chill on the water and wasn't feeling well.

The next morning it was more coffee in our cupola.  I also filled out the journal they have in our room - where guests write their thoughts.  It was awesome  to read everyone's thoughts over the past nearly two years.  All of which stayed in our room.

While many said how great the place was, thank to the owners etc... here's what I wrote:

11/1-11/3, 2013

Our list of recommendations:
1) Enjoy wine in the tub to unwind
2) Walk the grounds
3) Savor breakfast
4) Play bocce ball through the grounds
5) Make friends with others (so you can see inside their cabooses!)
6) Wine and snacks while you watch the sunset over the lake/hills on the dock across the street
7) Coffee in the morning in the cupola while you take in the sights of the lake
* Must play FRR Radio while doing so

Wineries we visited:
Brassfield - beautiful grounds & great wine
Gregory Graham - Former Rombauer winemaker
Lajour Estates - views cannot be beat!!

Mix all together with lots of love and R&R = perfection!
Brenda & Dave

Then it was getting time to say goodbye to the B&B - so we walked the pier again..

And hung around our caboose...

Did I mention they pay serious attention to detail?  In the room where we have breakfast, there's a train that travels over your heads!

It was an amazing weekend and one we needed in a bad way - especially with the plumbing drama (which is ongoing).  But one slice of peace.

I warned you there was a lot of pictures!

Another Shout Out for the 60/40

One more shout-out for Grammy and GrampC's 60th birthday - 40th Wedding Anniversary Celebration...

Back in October we visited my parent's church where my Aunt and Grandma put together a 60/40 reception for my parents after services.  Here are the pictures my sister took on her phone.

That would be my niece Chloe with Grammy and GrampC

Happy Birthday Kady

Last week we celebrated my niece Kady's 5th birthday!

 

Here is her little sister Chloe.  You have to capture quick pictures with her - she's a busy one.

 Drew did something he rarely does - he asked to draw! And for once it wasn't something completely gory or inappropriate.  He made a pumpkin with different items inside (which was at our request because of a homework assignment).

He did "customize" it with a lot of tombstones - which is apparently the cool thing for 6year olds.

And here is Grammy with a Candid of our youngest niece Avery.

I think all of these kids need to stop growing up so quickly!

Halloween 2013

Halloween 2013 started with the school parade, and this was our first at our new home school.  Here is Drew as the Kindergarten version of Obi Wan Kenobi...

They have all the kids parade around the blacktop.  The younger kids went first and made two circles.

A few of the older kids even played the Star Wars Emperial March!  The 5th grade version of it anyway.

Our Tiger mascot and the Principal, Mrs. Mallon.

Drew's teacher, Mrs. B.
I will have many post about her this year - we love her!

A view of the younger kids during the parade.  They made a huge square.

And then our little Jedi, Obi Wan Kenobi.

And here are the photos from our evening trick or treating...

The first house that gave him candy...

Daddy came with us for about 30 minutes before he had to go back and scare the kids...

And I'm no dummy - notice what I brought for trick or treating assistance... ?

Wine by "light saber"

And then a glimpse of our "scary house.."

Dave the scary circus clown was proud to have made several children cry (including our 1 year old neighbor) and made the 16 year old group of boys run screaming from our house, not once... but twice.

Happy Halloween!