Grade 4 Report Card - First Trimester

Drew Got his first report card of 4th grade, and our kid is a genius -- OK I'm bias.  He did have "straight 3's" which is 4th Grade Common Core grading (we'd call it straight A's).

Each subject is given a "numerical" grade 1-3, 3 being the highest.  And then from there there are details/analysis about the grades provided. 

• +  = Area of Strength
• ✓  = Developing Appropriately
• N  = Needs More Time
• AC = Area of Concern
• X  = Not evaluated at this time

So his report card looked like the Following:

READING - 3
+ For Foundational Skills (Reading with Fluency etc.
+ Informational Text (comprehension)
+ Literature - Determines theme of story and can summarize
Reading Level R

WRITING - 3
+ Narrative Writing
 ✓ Writing Process

LANGUAGE - 3
+ Conventions of Standard English (Demonstrates proper grammar when writing/speaking)
+ Vocabulary Acquisition and Use

LISTENING AND SPEAKING - 3
✓ Comprehension and Collaboration
✓ Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas

MATH - 3
+ Operations and Algebraic Thinking
+ Numbers and Operations in Base 10
+ Measurements and Data

MATHEMATICAL PRACTICES & PROBLEM SOLVING - 3
+ Demonstrates reasoning & provides explanations

SCIENCE - 3 & 3

SOCIAL STUDIES - 3

PHYSICAL EDUCATION - 3 & 3

VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS (Art) +

COLLEGE, CAREER & COMMUNITY READINESS
+ Follows Rules and Directions
+ Respects People and property
+ Exercises Control

✓ Collaborates effectively
+ Writes legibly
✓ Uses Time Constructively
+ Maintains Focus
✓   Puts forth effort
✓ Exhibits organizational Skills
+ Completes and turns in assignments
+ Uses technology ethically and effectively

And here is a picture from a couple weekends ago when he was feeding the fish while Mom & Dad were wine tasting at Cline.

4th Grade Here We Come!

It's hard to believe summer is over and it is time to start school. Today Mom and Dad walked Drew to his first day of school - 4th grade.

4th Grade

 Mom was running a little behind, so we had to scramble to school and showed up just as the class was walking to their room.  Therefore Mom & Dad decided to make sure Drew knew exactly which room was his -- he was a bit uncertain about which line he was supposed to be following.  In the end we made it to the gate at the perimeter of the school and Drew said he could handle it the rest of the way.

I tried to snap one more picture -- and clearly he was less than thrilled that his parents wanted to capture his final moments of freedom.

Less than thrilled about ANOTHER photo

Here's to hoping it's a great year at the school!  Can't wait to hear how the first day went and what he thought of his teacher and the kids in the class.

First Grade Progress

I missed the first trimester update - so I'm going to include 2 trimesters in this report card post.

"Grades" are maximum 3, X means they aren't graded on it.

Language Arts                                                                                                            1st      2nd

• Segments words into recognizable phonemes (cat=c/a/t)                                  3        3
• Uses letters, letter patterns, long/short vowels to blend into words                   3        3
• Reads common irregular sight words (ex the, have, said, give, of)                   3        3

Reading Comprehension/Literary Response/Fluency

• Student reads and understands grade level appropriate text                               3        3
• Reads aloud with fluency in a manner that sounds like natural speech              X       3
• Retells the central idea of a story using beginning, middle & end                      3        3
• Identifies and describes plot, setting & characters                                              X       X

Writing Strategies, Applications, Conventions

• Spells short vowel words & grade level appropriate sight words                        3       3
• Writes in complete sentences                                                                               3       3
• Uses descriptive words when writing                                                                  X      3
• Uses appropriate punctuation & capitalization                                                   X        3
• Writes on one focused topic (autobiographical, observational & fictional)        3       3

Listening & Speaking

• Listens and gives a focused response                                                                   3       3
• Stays on topic when speaking                                                                               3      3
• Relates an important personal experience in a simple sequence                           3     3

History/Social Science

• Demonstrates understanding concepts                                                                  3       3
•  Participates in activities and discussions                                                             3        3

Mathematics
Number Sense

• Counts/reads/writes whole numbers to 50                                                           3       3
• Counts/reads/writes whole numbers to 75                                                           X      3
• Counts/reads/writes whole numbers to 100                                                          X   X
• Compares & orders whole numbers to 100 using the symbols < = >                   X     3
• Counts/groups objects into ones & 10s (3 tens, 4 ones = 34 or 30+4                   X     3
• Counts & writes by 10s                                                                                         3      3
• Counts & writes by 5's                                                                                           X     3
• Counts & writes by 2's                                                                                           X    X
• Creates and uses fact families (6+2=8, 8-2=6)                                                      X     X
• Commits to memory & recalls basic addition & subtraction facts to 7                  3    3
• Commits to memory & recalls basic addition & subtraction facts to 12                X    3
• Commits to memory & recalls basic addition & subtraction facts to 20                 X    X
• Solves addition & subtraction problems w/ one and two digit numbers                 3     3
• Understands the use of symbols +, -, and =                                                            3     3
•  Estimates & measures length, weight & volume using nonstandard units            3    3
• Tells time to the nearest half hour                                                                          X    X
• Identifies/describes/compares 3 dimensional shapes & objects                             X    X
• Organizes, represents and compares data by category on graphs & charts             3    3
• Describes, extends, and explains patterns                                                               X   3
• Makes decisions about how to set up a problem                                                    X     3

Science Classroom/Lab

• Demonstrates understanding of concepts                                                               3     3
• Participates in activities & discussions                                                                   3     3

THE FOLLOWING ARE GRADED BY  CHECK OR N (needs improvement)
Visual & Performing Arts

• Participates in music                                                                                            check, check
• Participates in fine arts                                                                                        check, check

Physical Education

• Demonstrates appropriate social skills                                                                check, check
• Actively participates in activities                                                                        check, check
• Demonstrates age appropriate large motor skills                                                check, check

Social Growth/Life Skills

• Exhibits a positive attitude                                                                                 check, check
• Respects people and property                                                                            check, check
• Cooperates with others                                                                                        check, check
• Follows School rules                                                                                          check, check
• Follows Directions                                                                                              check, check
• Demonstrates listening skills                                                                              check, check
• Takes personal responsibility for behavior                                                          check, check

Work/Study Skills

• Contributes to classroom activities                                                                     check, check
• Exhibits organizational skills                                                                              check, check
• Completes class assignments                                                                               check, check 
• Completes and returns homework                                                                         check, check
• Exhibits neat and legible work                                                                              check, check
• Works independently                                                                                            check, check
• Demonstrates effort                                                                                               check, check
• Accepts responsibility for individual learning                                                   check, check

First Trimester Teacher Notes
It has been a pleasure getting to know Drew over the last couple of months.  Drew has made a smooth transition to First Grade and has made many friends.  He participates in classroom activities and enjoys sharing.  Drew generates neat and careful work, however he sometimes has a hard time completing his work in a timely manner. Next trimester we will continue to practice reading with fluency and expression as well as using our retell strategies.  At home, continue to practice reading with fluency and expression.  In math, we will focus on patterns as well as addition and subtraction facts.  I look forward to a great year with Drew!

Second Trimester Teacher Notes
Drew has made good progress to date.  He can easily grasp new concepts that are taught.  He is able to segment words into recognizable phonemes, use letters to blend into words and read grade level sight words.  He is reading above grade level with fluency and comprehension.  Also, Drew is able to retell in detail what he has read.  In math, he's able to count, read, and write numbers to 70.  As well as solve basic addition and subtraction facts.  Drew does need reminders throughout the day to focus and complete is work.  Also he enjoys sharing and class discussions..  Keep up the good work!

In both parent teacher conferences we discussed that Drew's a perfectionist and he needs to overcome this - to stop being so hard on himself.  This is why he has a hard time finishing class projects - it has to be "just right".  He is still prone to meltdowns when things aren't just right, but they are improving.  As of the Sprint Parent Teacher Conference, he's reading at level 28 (they want 1st graders reading at 16 by the end of the year).

Needless to say - back to back "straight A's" make for some proud parents!

Hometown Luau

More Summertime posts... this comes to you from a warmer (albeit windier) day in August, when Dave and I attended a luau party we purchased at Drew's school auction.  While I was complaining about the money we spent initially - OMG, this party was over the top!

Here we are at the beginning.  It was kind of funny - Dave walked in the backyard, saw someone wearing his Hawaiian shirt, turned right around and drove home to change.  While he's wearing red here - he came in wearing Navy initially. 


After some delicious Hawaiian BBQ, they had hula dancers around their amazing pool. 


It was like being at a Hawaiian Luau.  The dancers told the story of Hula, Hawaii and various Pacific Islands and their dancing culture.




And then there was a fire dancer!  I told you it was over the top!



We were having a great time!  But it was getting colder and windier by the minute.


And the Fire Dancer moved into the crowd!


At one point she caught her hair on fire.  Oops!  It was really a great party.  We also purchased another auction for a Rager, and I'm pretty sure I posted that on Facebook months ago, I don't think I shared here.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Welcome to First Grade

In August, Drew started First Grade!  He was excited to get back into the school routine after a summer at the YMCA (his after school program).  While he likes the break, he is always ready to get back into the routine after about 2 weeks.

Here's our official 1st grader!

We walked to school with our neighbor Christopher who was also starting 1st Grade.

 

This year we did the main sign out front (last year it was under construction).  As I normally do, I'll take a picture of him in front of this sign on the last day of school, so we can see how much he's grown. (FYI - it was 1" from August to October).

Drew getting lined up for his class! 

This is the face of a child ready to tackle school!

Since I'm a bit behind in blogs, I'll update you on how things are going so far in first grade.  During his parent teacher conference we continue to discuss how to keep Drew challenged and how to think outside his comfort zone.  He's above grade level in math and reading, but he struggles with some of the simple things like not freaking out over making a little mistake (can you say perfectionist?) And he goes over and above to do whatever he can to avoid doing too much work - he will over-think things he wants to say and write to come up with the shortest way to say it.  Heaven forbid you write an extra 3 words....

In November he finished his first trimester and he received a perfect report card!  The comments from his teacher:

It has been a pleasure getting to know Drew over the last couple of months.  Drew has made a smooth transition to First Grade and has made many friends.  He participates in classroom activities and enjoys sharing.  Drew generates neat and careful work, however he sometimes has a hard time completing his work in a timely manner.  Next trimester we will continue to practice reading with fluency and expression as well as using our retell strategies.  At home, continue to practice reading with fluency and expression.  In math, we will focus on patterns as well as addition and subtraction facts.  I look forward to a great year with Drew!

Goodbye Kindergarten

It's official... we have a 1st grader now.

L-R: First Day of School, Last Day of School

The final weeks of school were absolutely crazy!  Open House where Drew showed off his artwork in class and at the Y.  Here is the art he did in Art Class - We had the option of purchasing it to help support the art department.

Award ceremony where Drew got the "scientist" award in his K class.  He really took to the "animal" studies of worms, snails, and rolly pollys.  

I helped out with Field Day (next to last day of school)... his class was in charge of a water relay.  Kids fill up water from a bucket and pass it down cup by cup into another bucket.

After my shift was over I ventured down to where Drew was playing tug-of-war with his classmates.

He had a blast!

And it's so sad to say goodbye to a fantastic teacher Mrs. B!  We've had very good luck with teachers our first two years of public school (Drew was in TK last year).

Drew's final report card was perfect marks all across the board (except for the items they no longer assess).  We're so proud of our now 1st grader!

Star of the Week

The week before Thanksgiving Drew was his Kindergarten Class' Star of the Week.  At the beginning of the year, parents were asked to prepare a folder highlighting their child.  Here is Drew's:



The first page shows:
When I'm not at school I love to: "Go to the Beach"
My Self Portrait
My Family
My Favorites:  Food - Pizza, Sport - Baseball, Restaurant - McDonalds, Game - Uno, Toy - Angry Bird Telepods
Book - I Spy Treasure Hunt

And the inside of his folder:

I showed pictures of his family - Grand parents, Great Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and Cousins

And the back:

I highlighted the different States he's traveled to (yes I know DC isn't a state, but you know what I mean).

Every day that week Drew got to bring/do something that he could show off .  He shared his favorite book (which that day was the Shel Silverstein "Everything on It", his favorite CD (A Kids Bop CD that included the Taylor Swift song "Teardrops on my Guitar" because it says his name), and he shared his Dad's baby Moccasins.  



On  Wednesday of that week, Dave and I were invited to come in and talk about Drew, share stories, his folder and talk about us.  The kids were a riot asking all sorts of questions and telling us about all of their traveling adventures.  

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Campus Carnival

Last week, Drew's school hosted a PTA Fundraiser - their annual carnival.  I did my civic duty and volunteered for managing the Cake Walk - the Kindergarten class "booth".  This was especially interesting since I'd been out of town for work for the 3 days leading up to the event. 

Drew had a great time though!  I had to ring Drew in for doing the cake walk (he's in the striped shirt in the center of the photo).

 

No one was starting the cake walk and we had nearly 350 desserts to go through!  Unfortunately Drew didn't win but he had fun playing other games. 

Each class/grade sponsored a booth and handed out tokens for prizes.

 

 

 Dave and Drew finished up around 6pm and went home while I stayed around for another 2 hours to finish up.
 

Drew said his favorite booths were things he could throw and get a lot of tokens.

Reading Assessment

Earlier this month Drew's Kindergarten teacher asked me if she could keep him after school for one hour to do some reading records with him.  She wanted to get a more accurate picture of where he is reading level wise.  While I know she was planning on doing an assessment of all kids I got the impression she bumped Drew's "testing" up a bit.  I just heard back about how things went:

"He’s at a level 16 DRA – end of first grade.  His reading is quite
fluent and often reads with voice :o) (not monotone).  I know he can
decode (read the words) beyond that level, it’s the comprehension.  He
got to a point where he missed a chunk of retelling in a non-fiction
book.  He could interpret the chart located at the end of the book, but
he couldn’t remember details of what he read overall in the pages and
also was challenged with the skill of compare and contrast – he could do
this a little bit but not to the depth that would support him beyond
that level. SO, at this point, this is where I have him at and I’m in
need of locating him books at that level to borrow from class (“just
right books”) we call them."

She went on to say that she is going to have him doing some online reading and comprehension at school and at home using a program the District has to keep advancing and challenging him.

We're so proud of him.

Just for fun, here's a picture of him doing a tricycle race at the Pumpkin Patch last weekend.



He looks so little/young there.  Let me tell ya, he's growing up faster than you can blink!

First Day of Kindergarten

The long awaited first day of school is here!  Drew started Kindergarten on August 27th, and parents were required to be there for the first 45 minutes.  We met up with our neighbor and did something for the first time since Drew started Preschool at 2 1/2... we walked to school!  That's a major accomplishment for us.  We had to drive Drew about 4 miles to Preschool, and then another 4 miles to his Transitional Kindergarten (which was in the same district, just not available at our home school).

Drew has been anxiously awaiting starting Kindergarten.  No nerves whatsoever.  I think we got all of them out last year with TK, he knew the drill now (as did Mom and Dad).  He even tried to convince us to let him skip Kindergarten and go straight to first grade - because all of his Preschool friends were going into first.  Poor kid.

We're going to take pictures in front of the school sign (it's the one out back) just so we can see how much Drew grows over the year(s)!

Drew and Christopher (our neighbor) winding their way through the campus to the Kindergarten rooms.

Daddy and Drew waiting for the teacher.

And Mommy wanted in on that action...

And once we were inside, they had a "scavenger hunt" for the kids.  They had activities to do and complete, here Drew is writing his name, height and drawing a picture of himself.

Here's the scavenger hunt...

Some of it was to find the bathroom, take pictures, read a book...

Then after 45 minutes the kids were called over for their "meeting" otherwise known as carpet time.

For the first two weeks of school they do Kindergarten assessments, to set benchmarks for the kids.  During this time all kids were to attend school for the same time, they weren't assigned a time slot (early/late) until yesterday.  So now we know what time Drew starts class on Monday!   So far he's really enjoying school, let's hope this lasts!  He would  often tell me School is boring last year in TK and that he never learned anything.  He doesn't realize that he does learn things through more interactive activities rather than just doing worksheets and pop-quizzes.

Oh and just for fun, here is a comparison of his first day of school last year for TK and this year.