The Report Card
The other day my husband and I went to the first PTC meeting with our daughter’s teacher, Ms. A. Report cards had just come out and I was eager to see how N had fared in the first term of first grade. It was a big adjustment for her as her preschool was tiny (8 kids on her class!), and her new “big school” was huge (almost 1,000 kids up to grade 12!). I knew that she was happy there, but as any parent knows, the way your kid is at home and at school can be two very different things.
Well, Ms. A told us that N was an enthusiastic learner, did well in all her subjects, especially p.e, art, computer and music. She then also said N was not really a “self starter” and needed some time (i.e. would play, draw or get distracted) before she could sit down and complete a task. In maths, she was very good with numbers, but often got confused with “problem solving” work. In reading, she had also improved vastly (she could hardly reading at the end of Kindergarten), but tended to rush through reading, using context clues to guess the words rather than going through them slowly.
Of course, I also had other questions- like the grading system, which was new to me, ranging from 4-1 (4 being the highest, and meant to be “super, super” not given lightly) and I was used to the old-fashioned ABC’s or 95, 85, 75 etc. N mostly got 3′s, a few 2′s, and two 4′s, but I can’t help but feel that she could have done better – that I could have done more to help her.
I think its up to us as parents to really know and understand our kids learning styles (again, think of the Animal School) as it could really help them not just in their school years, but for the rest of their lives.
Photo via AJC1
7 Responses
Post a Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.
June 8th, 2010 at 12:23 am
You are so right! Being involved in our kids lives is very important to them and to us as well. This is why I’m in favor of sharing knowledge with other parents as well.
June 23rd, 2010 at 9:50 am
How not to be in front of your children
The art of parenting falls into two brackets, one is teaching and the other is being. The child being a keen observer and learner not only learns what is taught but also what is seen and observed. He/she is the best mimic or the most ardent follower you could have. So parents! You are in for a huge challenge. Responsibility begins with correcting oneself here and not one’s children. Read more………
http://www.oneworldacademy.com/articles
August 12th, 2010 at 10:13 pm
Report day is more than just about the report card. It is an opportunity to understand the child a little better from perspective other than only marks.
http://schoolcountry.com/blog/post/2010/08/12/Go-deeper-than-the-report-card!.aspx
August 12th, 2010 at 10:17 pm
Report day is more than just about the report card. It is an opportunity to understand the child a little better from perspective other than only marks.
http://schoolcountry.com/blog/post/2010/08/12/Go-deeper-than-the-report-card.aspx
August 18th, 2010 at 2:17 am
Meeting with your child’s teacher to discuss that child’s progress is key to understanding weaknesses and how to address them, but it also is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about who your child really is. I can’t tell you how many times I relayed an incident or some behavior that surprised a parent! Over the years, these snapshots into the person that their child was becoming became a valued and special part of a parent’s memories.
By the way, as a retired Virginia teacher, I must say that I am intrigued by the term, “Report Day”! We never referred to Parent-Teacher Conference Day that way. I enjoy observing differences in others. (:-)
August 28th, 2010 at 2:57 am
My child was struggling in school also. I met with her teacher recently and she recommended a website with really cool cd’s that used music to teaching basic reading skills. Both of children love it! check it out.
August 28th, 2010 at 2:59 am
sorry everyone but forgot to list the site. it is http://www.musicplusliteracy.com.