Kindergarten progress report

Completely failed to mention that we had our 1st parent/teacher conference last week while Maddie had her Thanksgiving break.

Dan was bummed that we couldn't both go, and he told me to make sure to tell Maddie's teacher that he really had wanted to go. Maddie's teacher explained to me that they don't receive report cards in kindergarten, rather they get points for having met each of their expected goals. Maddie got all 4's which meant 'exceeding expectations.' Her teacher couldn't believe that Maddie had never attended any preschool/nursery school/Sunday school before this. She said Maddie is doing wonderfully in every aspect of school, and the only thing she mentioned is that sometimes Maddie comes in crying. She said that on those few days she always stops crying within just a few minutes.

She's in the highest 'intervention' group there in their class, and she's been bringing 'beginning reader' stories home since the start of November. I've noticed that she has really started to read words all on her own, and sound out words without as much hesitation. She's such a perfectionist that whenever I've given her things to sound out in the past, she would be less willing to try. But, I think she has a lot more confidence now and loves to try to read everything. She loves when Abrie comes to sit on her lap and she tries to read her stories.

I love looking at all of her artwork on display in the hallways too. I'm in the classroom on a weekly basis helping with kid's writing, but it was nice to just be able to admire everything at a more leisurely pace. Her art teacher is a big fan of Madison's work, and we just couldn't be prouder of how well she's doing with everything.

I still get pangs of jealousy that she is with other teachers on a daily basis, but we're still her teachers here at home-- and first and foremost, her #1 fans.