Student-Led Conference

3rd grade is such a cool grade!  There is so much focus on reading and writing this year.  There has been an explosion of technology introduced into the classroom this year as well, that goes beyond classroom computers and Smartboards.  The kids are learning keyboarding skills, navigating the internet, and even starting to learn programs, such as Microsoft Word and PowerPoint! 

On occasion, the teachers even use "clickers" to have the kids type in their answer on them and the teacher can see instantly what percentage of the class got the answer correct.  Its almost like being on a game show!  And, just this week, Cole's teacher (and a few others in the school as well) won a grant which will provide enough iPads in the classroom for a 2:1 sharing ratio! 

Cole is now carrying a Kindle to school each day too.  While reading is not something Cole particularly enjoys, he is starting to tolerate it a little more when he is free to choose the book he wants to read on his Kindle.  (Every few weeks, he and I browse the internet for some free kid-appropriate downloads and load it up!)  And, to make it even better, he has discovered that he can also use the Kindle to surf the internet on his bus ride home....which means he typically spends his time shopping for the best deals on trampolines or 4-wheelers!  Ha ha!

Tonight was another cool event at the school - Student-Led Parent/Teacher Conferences.  This meant that Cole got to sit in the teacher's spot at the table, and tell us how he is doing in school.  He had a checklist to follow, discussed each item, and checked off his list as he went to keep him on task.  He wasn't a bit nervous and looked like such a big kid taking charge and leading the conference!  We were very proud of him!

Cole's checklist:

 

 

"How Am I Doing" sheet that Cole had filled out prior to the conference (with help from the scribe).  Its clear from this sheet that he recognizes that his classroom behavior isn't what is should be, and that is due to his lack of focus and inability to complete his work on time.  Maybe since he recognizes it, he can begin to work on it as he matures more.   

We also had his IEP meeting with the Special Ed teacher while we were there.  This meeting was to assess how he is currently doing, and how 4th grade will be handled.  We all decided that basically the same accommodations would be required for 4th grade as he currently has now.  These will include shortened assignments, more time to complete assignments, assistance in the classroom with a scribe and someone to keep him focused, and approximately 20% of his day spent in the Special Ed classroom to complete tests and assessments, and finish assignments.

We were informed that there will be a change in the Special Ed Department for next year.  An additional Special Ed teacher will be hired, while one of the assistants will be removed.  No one is sure, at this point, how this will affect Cole.  So, we'll just have to wait and see what happens as 4th grade gets underway.

Cole did a fantastic job tonight at his conference!  He not only took charge of his portion and presented his information very clearly, but he also patiently sat through an hour-long IEP discussion as well.

As we were leaving, he asked if we could stop at Sonic for ice cream  Of course, we said yes!  :)