Track Meet

My kindergarteners participated in their first Melba Elementary track meet this past week. It was great weather and we had a lot of fun. I was very proud of the way they gave their best effort and encouraged and cheered each other on. Way to go guys!

IRI - check!

I have been dreading the state IRI for awhile now, especially since the winter IRI did not go well. Our kindergarteners in the winter scored an average of 44% and the state average was 75%. Needless to say we had a lot of ground to make up. We worked really hard and yesterday they took the spring IRI - they each left the room one at a time as I crossed my fingers and prayed for each one individually. With kindergarteners each day is different and they can test great one day and terrible the next so I just wasn't sure after a four day weekend how they would perform and I was nervous. I knew that they knew their stuff, we've drilled and practiced and drilled and practiced and drilled and practiced! But whether or not they would prove that they knew their stuff when tested would be a different story.

After the test was finished and all of them were back in their seats ready to keep learning I breathed a sigh of relief - it was done! There was nothing more I could do now to make their scores reflect what they know.

I anxiously awaited their results and received them around 2:00 pm. I remember closing my eyes as I opened the attachment that held their scores, took a deep breath and then eagerly scanned through the results. I have to say that my immediate reaction was one of disappointment. I was foolishly expecting all of them to get a 3 (which is the highest score) - not because I personally wanted to look good but simply because I knew that they could, each one of them has proven in the past few weeks that they are capable of a 3. However, much to my dismay 3 of them scored a 2 and one of them scored a 1. I overlooked the fact that 80% of my class scored 3's which is amazing. It was also frustrating that the three that scored 2's came within a few points of scoring a 3. MAN!!!!!!!!

In hindsight I know that if they were to test on Wednesday some that scored 3's could easily get 2's and so on. Who knows? The scores are what they are and I'm proud of them all for doing their best.

And thank you to the parents who worked with your child at home in preparation for this test. Your efforts definately paid off. And I have to say that I'm glad it's over! At least until next year!

Mother's Day Gifts

So - this year I was at a loss for a Mother's Day gift. I was late in thinking about it and was stressed last week when I only had one day to figure something out. However, the lovely website "The Crafty Crow" (one of my faves) gave me some great ideas for homemade Mother's day gifts and they were adorable. I then only had to purchase some small matchboxes and some ribbon because I had plenty of scrapbook paper of my own. The total of this gift out of my pocket ended up being around $7.00 total. Incredible!! I think this just may be a staple gift for years to come. And their school pictures fit perfectly in them.

Happy Mother's Day to my kinder moms!! Thanks for all that you do!

Hoedown in Melba

So - Last night I spent the evening watching my cute little kindergarteners dressed up in their western finest perform in the spring program. The theme was western and man was it upbeat and lively. When you came in the doors you were greeted by the 5th graders doing line dancing and loud western music - it was great. There were plenty of cowboy hats, bandanas and overalls to go around and if you were to look closely you probably saw each foot taping to the upbeat tempos that resonated through the gymnasium. It was a sight to behold. The set design was great and the kids had so much fun performing. I was very proud of them!