Proficiency Scales

Hello All!  Can you believe we are already into October and have had 35 days of school!!  It is amazing to see all of the routines that were once hard for our #KFkinders are now easy and part of our every day structures!  This is great because it allows us to maximize our time together.
You have probably noticed a few papers that have been coming home in the past week that have performance levels stated on them...these are called proficiency scales.  What proficiency scales do is break down the super confusing language that is used in the Common Core for the standard, and give me, you, and your kinder actual performance behaviors at each level of that skill.  The standard is divided up into 4 different levels.  These levels are designated with stars and with the labels, "Level 4-Next Progression", Level 3: Meeting Standard, Level 2: Progressing, and Level 1: Area of Concern".  Those "levels" aren't as important as the performance and behavior descriptors that are outlined for each level.  When I sit down and observe a kinder working, or look at a worksheet/activity they have completed, or assess them one-on-one; I am using these proficiency scales to determine what level their skill is currently at.  Many times I will comment on what I observed, other times I will talk about what your kinder is currently doing and what we all need to focus our efforts on next.  You might notice that their levels can float from a 1, to a 3, and then back to a 2...this is just because they are constantly learning, evolving, and applying skills in new ways.  Please make sure to take these skills, read what performance behaviors your kinder is currently working within, and then take a gander at where they are going.  The next level should provide you with a road map for goal setting within that standard/skill area. 
If something doesn't make sense or you have any questions about anything on the proficiency scales...please don't hesitate to ask!  This is my first bout  with using proficiency scales with performance behaviors outlined and I want to make sure they are serving a purpose for not only me, but you and your kinder as well!  These scales are designed to help our efforts!  I do want to be intentional in saying OUR efforts, because this is a total team effort.  Kindergarten is not the Kindergarten of yester-years.  Kindergarten is HARD!  We are asking these 5 and 6 year old's to do amazing work, apply isolated skills to continuous text, and give tremendous effort each and every day.  Please remind your kinder each day that they come home that they are doing an awesome job!  It is pretty awesome to look into the classroom and see a future round of farmers, doctors, teachers, nurses, accountants, construction workers, etc. 
Here is a link to copies of each priority scale we are using in Kindergarten this year.  Please use them at home to support your kinder!  If you need any further resources to help practice skills at home, please don't hesitate to ask...I've got a whole file cabinet!!
Proficiency Scale Link