Teacher conferences and a proud mom!!

We just had our conferences Thursday night and I'm so proud of my two from what I heard from their teachers.

Emily’s reading and vocabulary is beyond 3rd grade, but they can’t test her beyond that because 4th and 5th don’t have a word list – cuz they should already know a ton of words. So Emily is beyond a 3rd grade reading level, but they said her comprehension of stories and stuff at this point in all their testing is probably around 1st grade. (She can understand the short stories, but with the chapter books, she'll read it but not fully understand it unless she's stopped and asked questions about it. But that's all normal for her age.)

Her spelling capabilities are around 2nd grade. They will most likely be taking her out of her class during certain times to work on her reading at her level. Which I’m very happy with. Her large motor skills are just at or above her age – but again this I knew. She doesn’t care to color or write or cut – but does it well if she has to. Her math skills are those of a 1st grader. Because of being so ahead of the game tho, she’s having problems sitting back and let others take a turn to know the answer. If she doesn’t get chosen, she gets upset or frustrated. They are working on that with her as well.

Her teacher mentioned to me that she could go into 1st grade and probably do just fine academically. Emotionally, we're not so sure. But she doesn't believe in grade skipping - and she knows I wouldn't split up my two. She also said she could even put her in 1st grade during their reading time. But Emily's still above that too and wouldn't help her much. So it's just easier for her to work with her (or bring in an aid to help her) there in the Kindergarten classroom. And I'm ok with that.

I want Emily to be with her age group and learn to be patient. I want her to learn to take turns and let others figure answers out w/o her answering for them. There's still other things for her to learn and I think this teacher is good for her and will still help challenge her while keeping her with her peers. She loves her teacher, she loves her class, she doesn't seem 'bored' at all, she's still being challenged in the areas she needs it and that's all I really want. Overall she’s doing very good, loves her teacher & class and is enjoying school a lot!

Now Max has exceeded what I thought. I shouldn’t be surprised, but I know unfortunately Emily seems to overshadow him in the academics department. I try not to let her, but he goes to her as well and leans on her when he “thinks” he doesn’t know something. But since they are in different classrooms, Max is really shining academically it seems. They tested his reading as well and it turns out he’s reading at 2nd grade level. (I knew he could read, but did not know at that level!!) His comprehension is still at Kindergarten level as is his spelling. His math is at 1st grade level (which again I was not aware it was so good!). I’m just amazed how they can really narrow it all down to see where they're at!)

Max loves to cut and write and gets bored with coloring easily. (His coloring was nice and neat at the beginning of school, but now it's scribbly cuz he doesn't want to do it anymore.) Teacher told me he gets bored easily if it's something he knows already. He doesn't want to listen and he'll start acting up (or laying on the floor during circle time etc). But it's a double edged sword, because if he's challenged, he gets frustrated with himself if he can't do it. He's such a perfectionist (like his father) he wants to do it, but is so hard on himself when he struggles. I think where he's at overall, is giving him the confidence he needs to know he can do it. He IS doing really well overall tho!

I was told he’s even found a girl in his class like Emily and she likes to “take care of him” and help him out when he needs it. Definitely think that twin thing has overwhelmed him in my opinion. Emily took that mothering role over him even tho I didn’t outright see it (and even denied it). He seeks that out in other girls it seems. Was very interesting to learn.

Overall, I'm one very proud mama. I knew they were advanced, but to really here someone say it just makes me beam. One of the few things I know I did right by my kiddos.