My first parent-teacher conference

[RandySF]

I just returned from the first conference with my son's kindergarden teacher. Much to my disappointment, he is not a genius. The teacher did a wonderful job demonstrating his progress, praised his conduct and work ethic. He excels at math and numbers, but he seems to be a little behind the curve in the areas of spelling and reading. Seriously, I did not expect to hear that he is ready for college NOW. And, she assured me, everything should be fine by the end of the year. But I don't think there is any way to prepare for the emotion of hearing from someone else's mouth that your little rugrat needs a little extra work. She did remark that he also excels in physical coordination. Maybe we should go after that sports scholarship, after all.

[monmouth]

1. I have heard it say (from the nuns at a catholic school my boys went to)

that boys are usually late bloomers in the areas of spelling and reading. I found this to be true. They were great at the math and numbers but did start to read on their own (trips to the library for "cool" books) and they came into their own around 5th grade. Of course Catholic schools still pretty much run on the three "R" curriculum so they did have that advantage. Your little guy sounds awesome, excelling at that young an age, good for him...

[peace13]

2. In kindergarten my son got the 'worry wart award' from his teacher and his writing and drawing..

well it looked very primitive compared to his co-inmates. Don't worry about it. Keep him engaged and it will all work out. My son never missed a Dean's list in college. # 1 It's not good to peak too early and #2 Stress is a killer for you and him. Enjoy your son for all that he is. Re read your post and see all that is going the way you thought it would! He sounds like a great kid.

[elleng]

3. Sounds like he's got some real solid basics, Randy; never fear.

As to reading, maybe you can stimulate his interest by looking for interesting items; I remember a good friend, whose son was way up, started reading with TV Guide and comic books. Wanna wander around book stores with him? Do you understand the spelling and reading techniques the teacher uses?

AND, if I'm not mistaken, Ben Franklin didn't SPEAK for MANY years, and there are lots of stories about geniuses apparent very slow starts in school.

You may be interested in looking at the literacy curriculum in my daughters' school; they are now 23 and 26, and wanted to become teachers!

http://www.lowellinside.org/data/PPCurriculumFinal11-12.pdf


:thumbsup:
:hi:

[msongs]

4. how did he do on the standardized tests from race to the top of the bottom? nt

[RandySF]

5. That doesn't start until 2nd grade.

His teacher went through a series of one-on-one exercises with him to assess his abilities.

[elfin]

6. My first conference

My son could read fairly well -- she had not ascertained that.

She remarked that he had small motor problems and that she had put the left handers like him off to the side, because they couldn't follow instructions for cutting, etc.

And so began my sojourn as a parent "activist" to make sure he had proper placement in later grades.

One year, when faced with a choice between an excellent teacher and a horror, I submitted my choice to the principal with the cheerful prediction that if my son landed with the horror, I would quit my job and they could set up one more chair in the room for an observer for the year. Got the good one.

Yes, boys do mature a bit later for this workbook mentality governing our schools -- he will be fine.

Go with the math - that's where we need future talent anyway.

[MichiganVote]

7. Kids tend to develop their skills individually. So if today they are strong in Math, 2morrow reading

No. 1 BEST thing parents can do to help kids improve their reading is READ to them. Ask the teacher for a list of grade level DOLCH words and point them out as you read. Make it a game and read what the child wants to read.

Contrary to child genius wisdom-all of us have strengths, some Math, some Reading, some PE!

[no_hypocrisy]

8. During my mother's first parent-teacher conference when I was in kindergarten,

my teacher was practically recommending that I should be held back a year b/c I was ambidextrous (could write with both hands), I couldn't skip, and I couldn't use scissors.

[pnwmom]

9. FWIW Randy, MANY kids who excel in math and science

do not excel -- especially in the early years -- in reading and spelling.

I've heard many stories of that from the engineers and scientists my husband taught, and I saw it with my own daughter. It disturbs me that there is so much emphasis on making all kids "meet the standard" when the only thing true about ALL kids is that they develop at their own rates; and the future math and science whizzes often shoot ahead in math in the early grades, but lag in reading. With my daughter, her reading scores didn't catch up to her math scores until high school. We didn't do anything special to make this happen -- it was just maturation.

One example I can think of. If your child has great spatial skills (as many math and science people do), then he might have bad spelling. Being able to manipulate objects in your mind is great if you're an engineer, but not very useful if your brain is turning d's into p's or b's.

[NYC_SKP]

10. Don't let the school decide who's a genius. Your child IS a genius, all children are...

:hug:

[Kerrytravelers]

11. Hey there, I am a former classroom teacher.

I tutor now, but I'm not in your area, or I'd give you a few hours on the house.

Anyway, if you ever want any advice or suggestions, feel free to send me a PM. I'll happily oblige. :hi:

[Sabriel]

12. It sounds like he's doing well

My daughter read at 3, but my son didn't read until late kindergarten. He's way off the charts now, in fourth grade.

The best thing you can do is model reading, and don't forget to read aloud. We still do!

Kids learn to read by being read to. You can't emphasize that enough.