Teacher gave out candy and certificates

[California Girl]

for making honor roll and having perfect attendance. I am so thrilled that my fifth grader was one who received this. You see, he has struggled with his attendance and worked exceptionally hard to make honor roll. He's not one of the brightest kids, he doesn't have a diagnosed learning disability so he doesn't qualify for special services, but the teacher has been really instrumental in this achievement. He was just so proud. I love this teacher and this school!

 

[DisneyNutMary]

Not only should you be proud, you should shout it from the rooftops.
It's rare that kids work hard these days, we worked so hard to get where we are, that we give so easily to our children.

Hard work and dedication should be praised, that teacher has the right idea, more should follow her lead.

 

[Mermaid02]

That's fantastic! Kudos to your son!

 

[Buckalew11]

Good for your son but I have to wonder why people have to give out candy? I think the certificate should be enough. I think it is a bad message to always reward with food. Don't we have enough problems with food (and eating too much of it?)

 

[SDFgirl]

I'm very glad for your son. It sounds as though he works hard and has a wonderful teacher. Congatulations to him!

I was one who posted on the other thread that, as a teacher, I wouldn't give out candy/certificates for honor roll. In no way do I mean to negate your son's accomplishments - I commend him for working very hard and am glad he's proud of his work.

However, here is my two cents as a teacher. I have a lot of kids with special needs (lots of learning disabilities, several with IQs under 80) in my classroom. These kids work just as hard as my top students, but they will never make honor roll. If they are below 3rd grade reading level, I have to give them an "NI" on their report cards, no matter how hard they try.

They already feel different. They feel different when everyone else is reading chapter books, and they are still struggling through 1st grade books. They feel different when they get pulled out of class for a Reading Intervention when the rest of us are getting ready to do a cool science experiment. They feel different when everyone else understands a concept and they're still giving me wrong answers in class, or when their classmates have memorized their 6's and 7's multiplication facts, and they're still having difficulty with 2's and 3's.

I guess I just don't want to make that worse by holding a special ceremony where some kids are left out, just because they're slower. Especially when they truly do work so hard.

Again, you have every right to feel proud of your son, and I'm glad his hard work was rewarded. I just wanted to give you an idea of why some teachers would have reservations about it.

 

[Pam]

I'm very glad for your son. It sounds as though he works hard and has a wonderful teacher. Congatulations to him!

I was one who posted on the other thread that, as a teacher, I wouldn't give out candy/certificates for honor roll. In no way do I mean to negate your son's accomplishments - I commend him for working very hard and am glad he's proud of his work.

However, here is my two cents as a teacher. I have a lot of kids with special needs (lots of learning disabilities, several with IQs under 80) in my classroom. These kids work just as hard as my top students, but they will never make honor roll. If they are below 3rd grade reading level, I have to give them an "NI" on their report cards, no matter how hard they try.

They already feel different. They feel different when everyone else is reading chapter books, and they are still struggling through 1st grade books. They feel different when they get pulled out of class for a Reading Intervention when the rest of us are getting ready to do a cool science experiment. They feel different when everyone else understands a concept and they're still giving me wrong answers in class, or when their classmates have memorized their 6's and 7's multiplication facts, and they're still having difficulty with 2's and 3's.

I guess I just don't want to make that worse by holding a special ceremony where some kids are left out, just because they're slower. Especially when they truly do work so hard.

Again, you have every right to feel proud of your son, and I'm glad his hard work was rewarded. I just wanted to give you an idea of why some teachers would have reservations about it.

What a great post! It sounds as though you are a very caring teacher.

Congratulations on your baby, too!

 

[shortbun]

My son had a great teacher once who started the day with, "Everyone give themselves a pat on the back and then applause for just being here!"

I think awards are fine. Its a great teacher who finds ways to award ALL children. And-the message sent that candy can be had for a SPECIAL OCCASSION is a ok message. I would have a problem with a teacher who gave candy every Friday or something. Special occasions are fine as long as other awards are given without candy. I talked to a special needs teacher once about motivation. She doesn't use candy for everyone but some kids only respond to certain things. My son has a friend who gets chocolate from her tutor. Her parents have stopped giving her sweets on most other occasions so she knows it's only a tutoring thing. Also, she's an excellent athlete and does NOT have a couch potato issue. She's doing really well in school thanks to her willingness to work and the super tutor. One rule does not fit all people. Other than the generally accepted rules of life-real murder, theft and a few others- we must be flexible. Rigidity can be much more damaging than a little candy, lol!

 

[luvtogo12]

I'm very glad for your son. It sounds as though he works hard and has a wonderful teacher. Congatulations to him!

I was one who posted on the other thread that, as a teacher, I wouldn't give out candy/certificates for honor roll. In no way do I mean to negate your son's accomplishments - I commend him for working very hard and am glad he's proud of his work.

However, here is my two cents as a teacher. I have a lot of kids with special needs (lots of learning disabilities, several with IQs under 80) in my classroom. These kids work just as hard as my top students, but they will never make honor roll. If they are below 3rd grade reading level, I have to give them an "NI" on their report cards, no matter how hard they try.

They already feel different. They feel different when everyone else is reading chapter books, and they are still struggling through 1st grade books. They feel different when they get pulled out of class for a Reading Intervention when the rest of us are getting ready to do a cool science experiment. They feel different when everyone else understands a concept and they're still giving me wrong answers in class, or when their classmates have memorized their 6's and 7's multiplication facts, and they're still having difficulty with 2's and 3's.

I guess I just don't want to make that worse by holding a special ceremony where some kids are left out, just because they're slower. Especially when they truly do work so hard.

Again, you have every right to feel proud of your son, and I'm glad his hard work was rewarded. I just wanted to give you an idea of why some teachers would have reservations about it.

Well said. I am a parent of a child who no matter how hard he works, he may never make honor roll and yes, this is a huge deal for them. They want it badly, just can't achieve it. They have other issues to deal with as well, being left out on the social level is one. You sound like a wonderful teacher!!!

To the OP-I am thrilled for your child, it really is a great achievment. I wish your child continued success.
However, I do think it is sad that you had to mimic the other poster with another thread. You could have just replied on her thread.

 

[poohandwendy]

However, I do think it is sad that you had to mimic the other poster with another thread. You could have just replied on her thread.

It's not just sad, it's incredibly rude. And more than coincidental. Insert pot stirring smilie here.

 

[luvtogo12]

It's not just sad, it's incredibly rude. And more than coincidental. Insert pot stirring smilie here.

Agreed!!!

 

[ZipaDeeDooDah]

I am thrilled for your child, it really is a great achievment. I wish your child continued success.

Ditto.

However, I do think it is sad that you had to mimic the other poster with another thread. You could have just replied on her thread.

Thank you.



M02 - you have class.

 

[California Girl]

It's not just sad, it's incredibly rude. And more than coincidental. Insert pot stirring smilie here.

Just pointing out that there are two sides to every story.

 

[Ariel Wanna-be]

However, I do think it is sad that you had to mimic the other poster with another thread. You could have just replied on her thread.

ITA. Very passive-agressive.

 

[California Girl]

ITA. Very passive-agressive.

I'm crushed.....

 

[Ariel Wanna-be]

I'm crushed.....

Good. When you're done being crushed, you can work on being a little less of a pot-stirrer.

 

[luvtogo12]

Just pointing out that there are two sides to every story.

And that has been well documented on the other thread where you could have posted your thoughts as well.

 

[luvmydogs]

Just pointing out that there are two sides to every story.

Numerous people expressed their differering opinions respectfully on the other post. You could've easily done the same without being so purposefully hurtful, facetious and condescending.

This post speaks more about you than it does of the OP of the other thread--who's handling herself with a lot of class.

 

[Pam]

I'm crushed.....

Good - because you won't be receiving a "I've Been Caught Being Nice and Kind" certificate.


[Quote: luvmydogs: This post speaks more about you than it does of the OP of the other thread--who's handling herself with a lot of class.]



This is very true.

 

[chobie]

It's not just sad, it's incredibly rude. And more than coincidental. Insert pot stirring smilie here.

I agree. I thought the poster on the other thread was very fair and open-minded to the many people that disagreed with her.

 

[grlpwrd]

Wow, it must be a slow Saturday night ...