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Post by Brocksmom on Mar 5, 2004 13:38:46 GMT -5
As far as grades go it seems there are two ends of the spectrum either straight A's (which I don't understand.. if it's hard to pay attention how can you know how to do the work let alone get an "a")or barely passing. Unfortuantely, we are at the barely passing end. It is better here at the new school,,his progress report(half-way between report cards) is all "C's". My husband and I acted like they were all "A's" His last report card only had 1"c" the rest were lower -I hope it lasts. Although the curriculum here seems to be easier than in Michigan. He makes ALOT of common sense mistakes. Spell words wrong that are right in front of him(i.e spelling book or fill in the blakn worksheets w/ the words at the top) He still doesn't capitalize the sentence all the time. And well his writing... I could write better w/my toes!!! The teacher won't accept his work if it's sloppy so I don't know how many times he has to re-do his work. He just doesn't seem to try to fix the problems.. I'm always telling him to sloooow down and do it neater and pay attention.. All I get is "mom I know". If he knows then why doesn't he do it?  Next year it's on to middle school w/ 6 or 7 different teachers.  I don't know what's gonna happen then. He was tested when we were at my mom's and he doesn't qualifiy for an i.e.p. he's right around the avereage line on all the tests. I think if he would just try a little harder to pay attention I think he could get up to b-'s which for him would be awesome. |
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Post by Allanque on Mar 5, 2004 19:43:25 GMT -5
I always make mistakes doing arithmetic. For some reason, they still expect you to be able to add and subtract when you're taking calculus. Heeeeeellllllooooo? That's why I have a calculator!  |
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Post by Linda on Mar 5, 2004 21:10:35 GMT -5
Kids hate to do what is hard for them and it sounds like he has a writing problem...can't think of what it is called right now....but it is a real disability...a lot of ADHD kids have this problem.
I hope someone comes up with what I want to say...I am thinking it is dysgraphia.
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Post by Brocksmom on Mar 5, 2004 21:38:34 GMT -5
I remember others talking about that on the other forum, But from what I remember reading I don't think he falls under that. he just goes too fast. If he takes his time it's actually legible it's all just so frustratingcuz thre's nothing I can do. It's all up to him to learn to slow down in all his school work.
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Post by AnneM on Mar 6, 2004 6:59:35 GMT -5
Hi Brocksmom .... Oh I can relate ... to the going way too fast and making silly mistakes along the way ... That is Sam (my 15 year old) too and always has been. I would like to say it has improved as he has got older but he STILL tends to rush his homework ... My son is also at the barely passing end and tends to be a "C/D" student ... we have never homed in on the actual "grades" (except are always happy to see a "C" !) ... I have always been more interested in the "effort" mark which each teacher gives ... that to me speaks a lot more than the grade itself ... i.e. if the effort mark is high and the grade is low then you know your child is working to the very best of their ability and you cannot expect more. HOWEVER if the effort is low and the grade is low then you can be sure that there is a difference between what they are achieving and what they can achieve! ... So, like you if Sam gets a "C" and his effort mark in class is very good then we also act like they are A's!! .. because in a way they ARE!! .. ;D
Sam is very much "Mr Average" .. he is in the 'middle' ... and always has been ... but back to the going too fast and consequent mistakes this has always seemed to me because Sam just wants to get his homework done, finished and out of the way so he can get on with the more "important" (!) things in life like seeing his friends and having fun! ... He sits down goes whirrr whirr whirr, writing rapidly and then shuts the book and says "OK .. that's that done!" .... Grrrr! I understand that this "minimalist" and "very fast" work has improved a lot within the school environment - but we still see it over homework ...
I know I am not giving constructive suggestions but I can so much relate to what you are saying! ...
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MomA
Member
Posts: 58
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Post by MomA on Mar 6, 2004 7:24:46 GMT -5
I hope this doesn't change the topic too much, but your post has me thinking about the new report card system (started last year) here. Instead of ABC grades, we have "A"=Advanced "P"=Proficient "B"=Basic/emerging "BB"=Below Basic, no understanding of the concept.
My son had all A's in Kindergarten, but has only had one so far in 1st grade. The rest are P's. However the numerical standard for an A is 100--absolutely perfect on everything. The range for P is 79-99/100.
As an example, I went through every one of his math assessments. His scores were 100, 100, 100, 100, 100, 97. One mistake on one test made him a P instead of an A. He could have answered the question he missed with little thought, but it was a two part question and I know he simply missed that there was a second part.
His report card got me thinking he's in a similar place as your son even though on a different part of the scale. Knowing he fights with concentration, and, in his case, hyperactivity that makes just sitting for a test a challenge, how will a very bright boy ever be able to get perfect scores? And how will he feel appropriately recognized if he never sees improvement on the report card?
There are some parents around here cheering the new cards, and I understand why. The kids who have 79's get a large boost to self-esteem when they see the "Proficient." It means that even though they're not at the top, they're doing just fine in learning what they really have to know. They're on an equal level if they compare report cards with other kids.
Sorry, I'm rambling. It's just making me think about ways this system could be adjusted to give that boost to C kids while finding a better way to keep up motivation for the P's who would be A's in the old system.
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Post by Brocksmom on Mar 6, 2004 8:57:07 GMT -5
AnnM-
Wow you are living my life. In grade school there isn't a lot of remarks on effort~~ comments on if he'd slow down he could do better. I'm definitely going to pay attention and see next year in middle school, maybe make a visit to his teachers after the first report card and see what they have to say about the effort he's putting up
MomA- your new grading system would us. but I can see your dilemma your child is still getting awesome grades but one little mistake and the new grade reflects it making them think they aren't doing as well. It's like grading w/o the curve, and anybody that didn't ace the test likes the curve-- it always helps them get a better grade.
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Post by finnmom on Mar 7, 2004 4:08:29 GMT -5
Brocksmom  I too, can relate to what you´re saying. Although my ds has no grade´s yet, they have this sliding scale from "very good........through the midle...........to need practising" They use this scale to measure all the activity in school, so they give mark´s of being friendly, focusing, getting thing´s done etc. My son has many mark´s on good side, then again few on the practis needed-side also. I´d say he is doing ok. But what make´s me sad, is that I, too, know that with a little bit of extra-consentration, effort etc. he would do so much better. It´s afful, and there is no way I can show it to my son because I dont want to depress him totally. ARGH  It´s so hard to watch aside when they do these silly mistake´s and be quiet ;D Everyone has to learn by themself´s, what a mother´s nightmare ;D Good luck! Marja |
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Post by adhdtimes4 on Mar 8, 2004 11:37:37 GMT -5
One of the things that has helped my boys with accuracy in math is to use grid paper. It helps to line up the numbers, so the columns don't get mixed up, further causing careless errors.
BTW, my eighth grader has handwriting like a 3rd grader. Thank goodness for computers!
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Post by mskris on Mar 9, 2004 16:36:52 GMT -5
Does your son have a 504 plan? Is there any way you can have them not remove points for poor spelling/punctuation (unless it's a spelling test)? I'd see if you can get him graded on content, rather than neatness. We have similar problems here, though ds' handwriting has improved enormously. His brain just goes faster than his writing, so he "forgets" to capitalize, punctuate, etc. He's a terrible speller but gets 100s on his spelling tests (memorizes them, aces the test, then promptly forgets). His dad is still a terrible speller, so maybe it's just a weakness...
Ask the teacher/principal, etc. if they can focus on his content/concept rather than the spelling/punctuation.
AMom - I can understand your frustration with the new report cards, although for most kids, they're probably an improvement...I'd just make a big fuss over the individual A papers/tests - post them in the house, rewards, etc., rather than focusing mainly on the report card. Same issue with Pass/Fail tests - no matter how well you do, your simply "passing."
Kris
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Post by tridlette on Mar 9, 2004 18:23:51 GMT -5
adhdtimes4 What size grid paper do you use? My 4th grader is worse than my 6th grader, who has been diagnosed with dysgraphia. I started taking lined notebook paper and drawing columns on it, but I was wondering if they make grid paper big enough for Mr. Illegible's incredible size numbers! MomA We still use regular 0-100 grades, but the PSSA's use the advanced/proficient/basic/below basic scale. DS 6th grader, scored advanced on his 5th grade PSSA's last May  , but when he took the 6th grade PSSA in October he scored in the below basic scale ! "You scored better than 4% of all Pennsylvania 6th graders on this test" He didn't lose that much knowledge, he just did really well on the pick the right bubble test, and couldn't pass the writing components because of spelling and handwriting issues. I had to move him to a virtual charter school where he is re taking 4th grade English skills, and 7th grade math! Testing ability is an art form entirely irrelevant to ability and knowledge. Laurie |
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Post by Allanque on Mar 10, 2004 10:04:03 GMT -5
adhdtimes4 What size grid paper do you use? My 4th grader is worse than my 6th grader, who has been diagnosed with dysgraphia. I started taking lined notebook paper and drawing columns on it, but I was wondering if they make grid paper big enough for Mr. Illegible's incredible size numbers! Just have him use more than one square... |
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Post by adhdtimes4 on Mar 10, 2004 10:19:05 GMT -5
My boys use more than one square, but you can MAKE customized graph paper with a spreadsheet. PM me if you want a sample, and I'll email you some.
Kayla
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Post by tridlette on Mar 10, 2004 11:03:27 GMT -5
I never thought about using more than one block! Duh!
I heard that the Asst. Superintendant of Schools here uses graph paper for every single thing he writes, then photocopies it because the blue lines don't copy! Then he sends the copies!
Kayla, I will let you know if I need a sample in a few weeks, I am going to try what we have with the regular graph paper first!
Laurie
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lisle
Full Member
Posts: 142
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Post by lisle on Mar 13, 2004 22:22:08 GMT -5
I always wonder about accommodations and if they eventually will hurt the child who never has to learn to spell better (however that's done)or write more slowly (if that can help him/her). Know what I mean? On the other hand, not counting the valuable things kids have to say because the grade is so lowered or the assignment isn't counted is really degrading. Is there a happy medium?
lisle
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