Anyone have a "triangular" conference?

[BC-MAV]

You know where the teacher, the parent, and the child are all there at once? DS is having one for the 1st time... they all do in 1st grade. Just wondering what to expect. WE just got notice and it's 1 month away.

[BC-SgtMom]

No experience but it seems like a good idea Is your child in private or public school? I am impressed that they accept the kid's input at that young age.

Take care,
Kate

[BC-JoanneNY]

I haven't had one with DS, but we did them this way at my old school (so I was the teacher in the triangle ). I found them very effective with the older kids (4th grade), but not really necessary with the younger ones. They had a harder time really being part of the conversation just because developmentally it was harder to talk about themselves . I mean they liked it, and I suppose it was good for them to hear the conversation and hear us gush over them,, but most of them just wanted to get up and go explore the classroom while no other students were there (was such a novelty to them - like it was a whole different place ).

Even when we didn't have the kids present, our school always had the kids be part of the assessment process - choosing work for a portfolio they wanted us to share, etc, so it always felt like they were part of the conference even if they weren't physically present. I preferred not having the younger ones there because I felt I could speak more in-depth with the parents and cover more territory in a shorter amount of time. With the older kids however, they basically ran the conference which I thought was very interesting and worthwhile.

[BC-MAV]

Private school that goes through 12th grade. We have had regular conferences up till this year but in February we will have a "triangular" conference.

[BC-SgtMom]

It sounds like a great opportunity to raise any concerns - weren't there some recent concerns or was that with your other ds? I think you could talk about ds while still including him although it may take longer as Joanne noted. Leaving time to gush of course Then you could talk to him afterwards and see what he got out of the meeting. Is there the option of scheduling a private conference with the teacher if you want one?

Take care,
Kate

[BC-MAV]

Actually I don't think the teachers are gonna bring up any concerns because from our pre-conference DS is already very aware that it takes him longer to complete things and he gets distracted and he has trouble focusing. So they don't want to draw more attention to the problems and in the process lower his self esteem more.

[BC-SgtMom]

OIC. It's never easy when we know our kids are intelligent just delayed in one aspect or another. KS is not that verbal yet and will :eh eh eh: until I am ready to pull my hair out, so I asked for advice in the new parents group yesterday. The moderator suggested baby signs which we will try. Then another parent had to pipe in just how advanced her kid is verbally and you have to shake your head. Kind of like hijacking your question and bragging at the same time

I hope it goes well with the conference and you report back

Take care,
Kate

[BC-MAV]

I can't believe a parent started braggin when yoyu asked for advice!!! I have heard of baby signs. I want to say that they make books and videos? I think SM has them for her son.

[BC-katrack]

I've never heard this name for it specifically, but children are welcome at our school's conferences. Ours are tomorrow and all three girls are going to be at all three conferences.

[Dreamcatcher]

WE have them here but they are called child lead conferences. DD or DS show us what they have learned in school. It really allows the child to show what they have learned rather than the teacher showing what she has taught whether or not the child has learned that skill.