what do i do with this report card? (5) As, (2) Bs and a

[imgoingtodisney]

30? in literacy (interpreting poems we've been told)
So how do we congratulate the As & Bs but let him know we're not happy with the 30?
This is the 1st time this kid has ever had anything less than a 76 - any help appreciated - Im in shock

DH wasnt happy - never said good job on the As & Bs just told DS he's grounded (this changed thank goodness) until we can talk to the teacher which will be at least next Wed 23rd as the kids just started a 5day wknd

just spoke with DH again - hes changed to "No tv/videos until after we talk to the teacher and then we'll decide" - at least now he can see friends, go on day trips, etc. He has an April break back

 

[Michelle]

Did the teacher not send any warning that your son was failing a class? It should NEVER come as a surprise when something like that happens, IMHO.

I would talk to the teacher and then work out a plan with him/her and your son to improve the grade.

 

[imgoingtodisney]

the kids get interim reports but only for the main subjects - English Lang Arts (he has a 93), Math (93), Sci (88) and Soc Studies (84) So in his main subjects he did great!

 

[Toby'sFriend]

I don't know if you can say you're not happy with the 30 without some more information.

What caused the low grade?

missed homework, not understanding the material, one blown test.....

Have you talked to the teacher yet?

 

[JoeThaNo1Stunna]

It's not that big of a deal, one blown test or bad project that counts alot can ruin a grade. If they are doing well in everything else then they are probably trying, so it didn't come from being lazy.

 

[hercamore]

Grounded, poor kid!

That's putting a lot of pressure on your son. He is a good student from the looks of it. However, if he's in middle school, there are some elective classes that are going to be tough for even the best students. Boys and poetry usually don't mix well.

I have raised two very good students. My ds was #l/500 in his h.s. graduating class. But, he struggled in middle school with some of the elective classes. I never made a big issue of his or dd's below average grade on any class, cuz they always gave it their best shot.


I am guessing your ds knows exactly why his grade was low in that one subject.


herc.

 

[damo]

Same thing happened to my neighbour. They grounded her all weekend until they could talk to the teacher. On Monday the phone call came and the teacher had made a mistake. Instead of the 35, it was supposed to be 85!!!! However, a little grounding and sticking to your guns made the student realize that the parents meant business.

 

[mowsie dreamer]

IMHO, I would hold off on the grounding until I had talked with the teacher. There is something wrong here-a student with 5 A's & 2 B's is obviously not goofing off in other classes, so he probably wouldn't in this one either.

I know that my DD has had a couple of situations where teachers forgot to include a homework assignment or a make-up test in her grades (DD had been out sick and turned these in just as the grading period was over). When DD pointed out to the teachers that the grades were lower than they were supposed to be, the teachers corrected them.

If your DS has been a good student in the past, I think I would give him the benefit of the doubt until I could find out more from the school. There is always time for grounding later if he hasn't been doing what he is supposed to.

 

[Buckalew]

I doubt I'd ground over interpreting poetry. I think that his other grades should matter a bit more to your DH. Your DH doesn't know the whole story here and I think he should wait til he does.

A 30 is really low so I'd definitely want an explanation but in the meantime, I'd hope he would apologize to his son & tell him that he'd jumped the gun and will wait to see why such a low grade was given.

He should also congratualte him on those hard earned A's and B's. This is JMHO but I think his reaction was too harsh and a lot of damage could come from it.

 

[Judy from Boise]

Let me just say that your DH and I most likely have some very different views on parenting !

 

[Patrick IL.]

I do not understand how a student earns a 30 in a class without some form of communication happening prior between the parents and the school

 

[RitaZ.]

I think that not acknowledging the good work that your DS did in his other classes is wrong. Your DS is probably getting the message that it's either "all or nothing" when it comes to his grades. Everyone wants to be validated and recognized for a job well done.

Schools place a lot of demands and expectations on children (nothing wrong with that). Let's not forget that many of us could have struggled with some of the concepts that our children are currently expected to learn.

I also agree that there should have been communication from the teacher regarding the low grade, before the report cards were issued. Maybe she/he made a mistake when entering the grade.

You and your DH can modify/negotiate the punishment over the low grade with your DS. Please don't dismiss the good grades that your DS has earned. JMHO.

 

[momof2OH]

The only time I've grounded DD is for D's or F's and then it depends on the reason why. If it's due to missing assignments or something she didn't do then she can get grounded, but if it's because she didn't understand something or is struggling and that grade was doing/trying her best than no she won't get grounded. I also count "core subjects". I do not include "specials" such as gym, art, ect... While these are important classes, I am more concerned with the academic subjects. I also am in constant communication with her teachers (notes, calls, in person and emails) I talk with my DS's teacher on a daily basis (i drive him to and from school).

I think in your situation w/ your son, I would talk to the teacher first to find out why he received the grade. It could very well be a mistake. If it's not a mistake you can than find out what is going on and why you weren't notified earlier of the problem. Maybe he just doesn't get poetry like he gets the other subjects. Kids aren't going to be good in all areas, maybe this is his area. The rest of the grades are wonderful and he seems to be doing well in those core classes. I would definantly tell him he did a good job in those classes. Kids need that praise!
Good Luck!

 

[zurgswife]

It' s poetry Interpretation of Goodness (not what I was really thinking) sakes.....It's not like he failed the entire year...even if he did what does grounding prove....

I definately have a different idea of what is important for a child to learn....

 

[April76]

As a parent, I can definitely relate to wanting to let it be known that bad grades aren't acceptable,

If you have a child who always gets good grades - obviously your child takes his grades seriously and wants to do well -- then out of the blue gets a bad grade... you've got to look at WHY before you can determine punishment.

The big problem I see here as a possibility is whether you're dealing with a teacher who believes that THEIR interpretation is the ONLY interpretation.... maybe he just couldn't grasp the technique of "interpreting" what someone else has written in an obscure manner and I also agree that there might have been a problem with entering the grades.

If your child is a hard working student who takes pride in his grades and then gets this one low grade -- how badly does he already feel? To add a harsh punishment on top of that without knowing all the facts seems misguided.

I hope you can all work through this and turn it into a "positive" learning experience for everyone.

 

[Disney Ella]

I was always a very good student in English - until it came to interpreting poetry! I just had a hard time figuring out what those darn poets really meant. When I was in college I would go to the library and try to find books that interpreted the poems we were studying so that I could at least pass.

If your son does well and always has done well, I wouldn't automatically assume he's slacking off. I know I tried hard but I just couldn't get it.

 

[Nancy]

I'm another one who would not have grounded because of one grade. If the whole report card was failing or very low than I would have a problem. I saw my straight A DD go from an A+ to a B- this semester because she missed 1 homework assignment when she was out sick! My other DD got a 78 in Phys Ed which brough her average down...I certainly am not going to get upset over a bad grade in gym class....as long as all her other grades are fine.

I would tell him that I find the lower grade upsetting and I know he can do better...just look at his other grades! I would also let him know that I'm proud he did such a good job in his other classes.

 

[Pooh93]

Although I would be disappointed by the failing grade, I think I'd try to get the full picture before I grounded him. I'd definitely talk with the teacher to find out why there wasn't any communication of his struggles.

 

[luvflorida]

I'm surprised that the teacher didn't at least put a note in your son's report card explaining the low grade. I would think that she would know that you would be concerned.

My daughter's middle school sends out mid-quarter reports to inform parents of their child's progress. That way any low marks can be questioned or improved upon before report cards are issued.

I would definitely talk to the teacher. It's possible she made a mistake. You should also talk to your son. He may be able to shed some light on the reason for the low grade. Let your son enjoy his vacation. He earned it with all his other grades! And, like you said, this is an exception to grades he usually receives.

 

[ahutton]

April76 - you must have read my mind! I also was concerned about a grade in interpretation of poetry... Now that I'm not in school I wonder - why is what the teacher said the interpretation was the right one? Isn't reading, poetry, listening to speakers in public and at church really about what you get from it? Isn't that what makes it good? That it can touch every person in a different way that is special and specific to that individual's point of reference?

I was a "good" student - had an above average GPA and took honor classes. I did not do well in all classes, and did not do well all the time. I got a D one of my quarters of biology - I just didn't get it. I also got a D one of my quarters of geometry - again I just didn't get it. I punished myself for those, and felt the failure. My parents never had to punish me for it. I vividly remember my Mom sharing with me her own difficulties in geometry, and that gave me the motivation to keep on. My grades in those classes got a little better - B/C for the other quarters - but I worked harder for those than I worked for many of the A's I received.