Need suggestions got DD progress report Update 11/9/05 gor report card

[shelby2001]

My DD is in 5th grade which was a very big change this year for her. She has mutiple teachers and this has been an adjustment. Her grades are 94 Language Arts, 93 Math 96 Social Studies and 95 for Literacy & Comprehension however her Science grade is 74. All the comments were great Excellent work except for Science states she is capable of improving grade with more effort as she is putting no effort into the class. She is not fond of her science teacher however I told her that she is going to come across this all of her life and needs to adjust to different types of people and I expect the effort to be there. We told her if a 74 is her best than that is fine, but we know it is not since she is putting no effort into this class. She is 10 and seems to have a big attitude regarding this Science class, any suggestions on how to get through to her on this?
Thanks,
Shelby

 

[clarabelle]

We got our 5th grade DD to start making flash cards and we also read over her notes with her to make sure she understands it
I am hoping we can hand responsibility back to her later -but she was having a hard time as well so we got more involved for a while

 

[suzannews]

My DD is also 10 yrs old and in the 5th grade this year. Our problem this year is math. All other subjects are high B's or A's, math was a low C on her progress report. Call the teacher and found out my DD just decided not to turn in any homework. She has spent many nights since then sitting at the kitchen table making up the work.

 

[shelby2001]

It's not that she doesn't do the homework, she does the work and understands it but there is also another comment that she has excessive talking during class, she is clashing with this woman and won't do what she asks of her in class, like I said all her homework is done, tests are ok she is just not doing the experiments in class as she is to busy talking the whole class. How do I get her to realize she isn't going to like everyone but that is no reason to talk and be dis-respectful in class and not do what is expected of her in class, this is where the lower grade comes in as class participation is 30% of the science grade.

 

[golfgal]

It's not that she doesn't do the homework, she does the work and understands it but there is also another comment that she has excessive talking during class, she is clashing with this woman and won't do what she asks of her in class, like I said all her homework is done, tests are ok she is just not doing the experiments in class as she is to busy talking the whole class. How do I get her to realize she isn't going to like everyone but that is no reason to talk and be dis-respectful in class and not do what is expected of her in class, this is where the lower grade comes in as class participation is 30% of the science grade.

DS had this same problem with his social teacher last year. The rest of his teachers were saying he was participating well, his grades were good, etc. then the social teacher said, he moves around in his chair a lot, doesn't participate, etc. We talked with the teacher and tried to get more information. He said that DS was putting his feet on the basket under the chair in front of him and that girl didn't like it, ok. I had DS sit in the desk and his feet were hanging a good 4 inches from the floor-the social teacher is about 5'3" tall himself. He just looked at his feet and said, ok, we'll figure something out. So, a short story long, some times it is little things that are easy to work out.

If that isn't the issue and it is just a conflict with the teacher then you need to pull the "she is the teacher and even if you don't like her, you still need to do the work because you are a student and that is your job". If she doesn't like that, then she starts losing privileges. Everyone has/had teachers they don't like and like you said, they need to learn to deal with it.

 

[Sparx]

trust me, I know how she feels with those kinds of teachers. She just needs to accept that she HAS to have that teacher this year, and she just needs to make the best of it. I have had at least one teacher every year that nearly killed me. But I am better for it. It would have been bad if all of my teachers loved me and were great. You need that one mean one to keep you on your toes. but (((hugs))), and I know how she feels.


BTW, my name is shelby too

 

[Wishing on a star]

Shelby, I agree with your thoughts and your approach here.

And, there have been some good comments.

I just wanted to say that, YES it is important for kids to learn to handle different teachers and their expectations. I do feel, however, that 10 years old is still fairly young. It is entirely possible that there IS a 'personality clash'. But, even so, the teacher is an adult, and should not be having a personal 'clash' with a child, who otherwise is a good student and not a troublemaker!!!!!

I would not rule out that there might actually be some underlying problems in this classroom???? Have you met this teacher? What are your impressions? You mention that your DD has expressed 'attitude' regading this class. Does she go into any details WHY she has this attitude.

I guess what I am trying to say is that, this does not seem to be your daughters 'nature'. So, I would probably try to discern what the problem/catalyst really is.

Hope it all works out!!!!

 

[DVCLiz]

Ha!! This was us last eyar - I had to remind DD that even though she "hated" her science teacher, school was her job and she'd better try her hardest. She made As in the class, so it wasn't a problem with doing or understanding the work, but the class as a whole really tested that teacher.

Fast forward to this year, and now..."Oh, I hate the social studies teacher!!!! The science teacher? Oh, she's good this year..." !!!!!!!!!!!

It's one of those things kids go through, I guess!!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I have alot of experience in this dept....(unfortunately).

Yes we also approach the attitude in the same way (get over it)and yes, it has been effective as a "rule".

#1...I would recommend a teacher meeting "pronto" to find out the whole scoop BEFORE you do/say anything. Get your ducks in a row then approach how to tweak this grade.

 

[puffkin]

Only two suggestions (since I like the just get over it one others have used):

1. Meet with the teacher and determine why she is talking. Is she seated in the back of the room, is she near friends or a trouble maker/class clown, is she just bored in class and decides to talk. Maybe she just needs a new seat, front and center in the class room.

2. I am not usually one for financial rewards, but perhaps one might work in this case since she obviously sounds like a good student. Maybe the teacher is really awful, and it may be hard for a 5th grader to understand that you just have those people in life and you have to get over it. Maybe a reward based incentive program will help her get through that class.

 

[ead79]

If that isn't the issue and it is just a conflict with the teacher then you need to pull the "she is the teacher and even if you don't like her, you still need to do the work because you are a student and that is your job". If she doesn't like that, then she starts losing privileges. Everyone has/had teachers they don't like and like you said, they need to learn to deal with it.

I agree with this. I would meet with the teacher first to see what the teacher says is going on, then ask your daughter for her perspective. The real issue is probably somewhere in the middle of the two accounts.

If it’s not an issue that can be easily resolved by the teacher/your daughter, then I think losing privileges is a good idea. Even though she’s only in 5th grade, it’s an important lesson to learn early. You don’t want her to not work hard in future classes if she doesn’t like the teacher. Good habits need to be ingrained early.

 

[SC Minnie]

We had a little of this problem last year. It must be something about 5th grade

Talk to the teacher. Find out if your DD is talking to try to act 'cool' in the class or if she is just next to friends. When we had the problem I told DD the behavior was unacceptable. Period. I don't always like my boss but I still have to go to work and do a good job if I want to get paid. Privileges were lost in our house. No computer. I kept in communication with the teacher via email a couple of times a week and when things improved the computer was allowed again. If they slipped then the computer and tv were gone.

 

[shelby2001]

Just wanted to let you all know thanks to your advise I did meet the teacher at a school function, and I understood why her and DD did not get along she likes the warm and fuzzy kind of teachers and this women was all business. I got in touch with her guidance councelor and he had a talk with DD. Got report card today and she brought the grade up from a 74 on progress report to a grade of 96 on report card. Her GPA for all 5 core subjects was a 95.7 so she made high honors and her science teacher's comments were that she was an excellent student who was now demonstrating her full potential and was very attentive so one problem down and I'm sure many future ones to come.
Thanks again to all for your care and help.
Shelby

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Good for you mom! You have taught your dd something very valuable for the rest of her life!
I will bet she feels the "best" about this grade and felt she really earned it.
KUDOS to your dd!

 

[MoniqueU]

Congrats to you daughter for pulling up her grade. I have a son who is struggling in Algebra and is trying hard to pull up a grade right now. I don't get algebra so I am not much help. He doesnt much like the teacher either. I asked him why he just isn't specific. He pretty much likes everyone so I am surprised. I am keeping my fingers crossed he can bring his grade up.