Second Grade ROCKS!

Photos of Summer playing in the leaves last week when it was bea-u-ti-ful! It was 70 degrees. Today its barely 40. Anyway, we had Summer's conferences last night. Thanks Cindy for dropping by to watch the kiddos so we could go. One thing I can say for Summer's teacher this year is that she is organized and specific. She explained every grade on Summer's report card. No one had done that before. The way her school does it, is they are graded 1-4, 4 being exceeding requirements. We actually had been told by a teacher in the past that they usually do not give out 4s the 1st marking period because then its like the child has nothing to learn. While I understand, that completely stinks if you have a child that is ahead and bored! Not giving them proper credit! But luckily it does not seem to be the case this time around.

What did surprise me is that her report card is based on assessment tests. Or as I have always known them to be... FINAL EXAMS! For real. So she got a 2 on telling time because she mixed up am and pm twice, even though she's has been able to tell time for almost 2 years. I thought that grading was based on an average of their work, but I suppose for 2nd grade this is a better way. I can only think what could happen if a kid was having a really bad day.

She is reading at a nearly 4th grade level, which we knew. But I really thought she was struggling with math. According to the exam she scored a 4, and her teacher said they never give 4s on math unless the kids do more work than asked. Example: solving a story problem and showing the work multiple ways. Most kids just do it one way. Summer thinks differently than most kids.

She has had a 15 word spelling test every week since school started. She has gotten 100% on every one. She studies hard for those. We practice a couple times a week.

The only "bad" report we get on her is what we already knew. She is very emotional. She gets worked up over small things. Frustration. She cries. She freaks. But what is a parent supposed to do with that one? "Stop being a crybaby"? I don't think so. All I can think of is trying to give her the tools to chill. How to deal with anxiety(heck, I could use a lesson in that one)and how to deal with disappointment. So there is no plan. It would almost be easier if she was naughty!

If you are still reading, thanks for allowing me to brag a bit. I absolutely adore this girl and she amazes me every day. We are so lucky to have her:)