Ava Loves School!

Ava really seems to be thriving in school!

It's kind of funny... some days I won't hear much about what went on at school.  Yesterday, she commented on "Wow, we've talked a lot about what happened at school today!"  I told her I really like when she tells me everything that goes on at school.

Ava took COGAT testing in October, as do all 1st graders (and 3rd graders), I believe, in Cobb County.  After the first round of testing, those students who excelled went on to additional testing.  Ava made the second round.  Of those students, they determined which could participate in her school's TARGET program, for gifted students.  Ava made it in!  Because the school only tests in 1st and 3rd grades, she will be part of this program until at least third grade, where all third graders will again be tested to determine future participation. 

Because of her scores and her teacher's recommendation to the board, Ava will be participating for one full school day, every week, in a TARGET program.  Out of 24 kids in her class, 17 kids will be part of the program.  At first glance, that sounds like a very large percentage.  Most other 1st grade classes do have fewer students in them (from 15 students up); I have a feeling Mrs. Lane's class may have included a larger number of students because they felt the students would be able to keep up with the material covered, based on kindergarten teacher input.  I will be curious to see how many students, total, will participate in the TARGET program in 1st grade.  (There are SIX 1st grade classes at Murdock!)

So this information alone had us on cloud nine, excited for such an amazing opportunity for her.

The day Christmas vacation started, Ava came home with the results of a "TOPS" tests.  She takes these tests (quizzes) after reading a book on the computer.  The test results relayed that the book she read was grade level 4.2 (FOURTH GRADE!).  She received an 80% on it (4/5 questions right).  The results relayed that her average reading level is grade 3.5 (mid 3rd grade).  Crazy!  She IS a little reader.  Grandma and Grandpa Carey got her "Diary of a Wimpy Kid:  The Last Straw" for Christmas.  She is really enjoying reading it.  I asked if she would read it to me, and she read it as fast as I would have read it to her.  I had to stop at a few different words, to be sure she understood what she was reading.  She did understand what she was reading, and the context.

When we returned from Hawaii, Ava presented a handmade card each to Doug and me, which told us how much she missed us and loved us.  Grandma Carey said "She was not prompted.  She did this totally on her own."  That sounds very much like Ava.  She is very crafty and continues to enjoy making things / drawing things. 

The TARGET gifted program starts on January 15th.  We had to buy new school supplies specifically for her to use in that class.  I bought some super fun folders and supplies she should really enjoy.  I am really excited to hear how her day goes that day!  Hoping this is the start of a really fun time in school for her.

Peace, love and smarties,
Shelly, Doug, Ava and Liam