Report Cards are coming home today!
‘New Students’ I wonder what your former report cards looked like…A’s and B’s…Percentages?
Students who’ve been at SAS for awhile… how many ‘2’s have you received in years past…how many ‘4’s?
Parents – what are your hopes and dreams for your child’s report card? Are you aiming high? Preparing for the worst?
I have spent some class time today showing them the reports I have been writing, because these are THEIR report cards and it is important that they understand how I give their grades and why I write what I do. When I say writing, I mean laboring, dwelling, reflecting, thinking, pondering, worrying, comparing, drafting… There are so many considerations! Report cards are an important gauge of a child’s progress so I really care about what goes into them.
So, for the record, here are some things you need to know when you’ll be reading these report cards yourself.
1. 1 doesn’t get given out often, and if it does, there is communication so that parents understand why this is an area of concern. This typically indicates that a student needs frequent one-on-one help to understand concepts and/or complete tasks.
2. I give 2’s…2’s mean the student is making progress but is not yet consistently meeting grade level expectations. This usually means that the student needs more guidance and support from the teacher to understand concepts or to be able to achieve target tasks.
3. 3 is for 3, it is a great place to be, when I give a 3, I hope you feel hap-py! (read with rhythm please)
3’s mean your child is where they are expected to be. Admittedly, there is a range within a 3, but all within acceptable grade level expectations.
4. 4’s are given when students are achieving above and beyond. The student would be making much deeper and wider connections than typically expected or displaying EXEMPLARY knowledge, understanding or skills in an area.
I hope you will take some time to read the comments I’ve written on your child’s report card (eyes usually immediately jump to the numbers). Please know that I have their best interests, ongoing learning and their happiness in mind as I teach them and as I write my comments.
Also included in that fat envelope…are MAP test scores.
There is a 5-6 page booklet coming home with the report card to also inform you what MAP is all about.
The main thing I find interesting about the MAP testing, is comparing where your child sits in comparison to the Norm Group Avg (other 4th graders, mainly in the USA, who were given the same test at the same time) and the Dist Ave RIT (other 4th graders at SAS and in the International Stream.) Please know that NWEA, the company who produces the MAP test have normed the test on the scores of over 10 million students.
Included as part of the reading scores is your child’s Lexile measure. I discussed this with the class today. I showed them the website and how to use it. I will be sending home more information about this and will be educating you about reading levels and how to use them to their maximum potential.
As the letter coming to you says, the MAP is one measure. There are many others. Please remember this when your child goes over the Progress Report with you at home.
Together, we will move forward, aiming to help your son or daughter in whatever unique way they need to be assisted. Thanks for the opportunity to teach and learn with your child!
Thank you!
