Shhh…Schoolwork Comparisons

I know it's not recommended to compare your kids to each other. I read through the kids' reports cards and Anthony was reading at a DRA level of 12, 28 and 34 at the end of kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grades respectively. Ramsey was reading at a DRA level of 24 and 34 at the end of 1st and 2nd grades respectively (don't know about kindergarten, no comments in the report card about DRA level). I always assumed Anthony was a better reader than Ramsey but I now see they are about the same…Anthony can read/pronounce nearly any word but that doesn't mean he understands what he is reading (recall in 1st grade he read through 3 Harry Potter books but COULD NOT summarize what was happening, even at a high level…that was our first clue that pronouncing words doesn't mean understanding). I have some great comparison shots of their work in school. Shhhh….



This feelings book was completed in 1st grade for each boy (Ant on top, Ram on bottom). Ram completed 3 more pages than Ant did. I do recall his teachers telling me that Ramsey is a hard worker and would volunteer to do more work when he was done with what was assigned. I do know that Anthony likes to be one of the first to finish his work and then he'll take out his book and read. He doesn't like to do more than he has to.



"Me On the Map" was also completed in 1st grade. Ant on the left, Ram on the right.



Above are shots from the 2nd Grade Memory Books. Ram sure writes more neatly than Ant, does't he?



Above left is one of my favorite pictures that Ram drew about the owls in our neighborhood. Here is the original post I wrote about this back in June 2008. Above right are some doodles that Ram drew in 5th grade. Aren't they amazing pen and ink doodles?