My youngest kid has a lazy streak. He tests pretty well in those standard school tests... and makes pretty good grades on the busy work that passes for elementary education. However, he is militantly un-organized, sloppy, lacks attention to detail and can be a rather boorish little know-it-all (who knows nothing).
We moved this year. So I went to the big Parent meeting. I expected a PTO wallet lifting session and was pleasantly suprised when the 5 th grade staff presented an exhaustive presentation on the books, grades, make up work, day planner (agenda) and other systems they use to insure the process is adminstered to full effect.
We are 2 weeks into the school year. We have not seen a "agenda" (read: planner) book yet... and have heard the classic "we did not talk about this and we don't have a book" when he tries to get us to do his home work for him.
Every grade he's been in so far has tried to use a planner or agenda book.... the kid simply blew those off... and never knows what he has to do and was chronically last with work last year.
The kid was really suprised when we got home last night ..... and laid it out for him.
His last district gave "A"s for work that could not be read... not showing work... not following instructions, etc. He brought back a math paper with a "68%" last night .... seems Dollar signs go to the left of the figures in this country. The teacher marked those wrong for being to the right of the figure...or not show at all. I love it. He has been getting points-off for not spelling his name with upper case letters too.( it's a rule... proper names are capitalized).
Maybe this will be the year that saves this kid from becoming the self inflated little ass hat his grandmother would like him to be.
I am the kind of guy who helps kids who really want help. I never do the work for them... and never get a straight answer to a question--- but I will show you how to look it up or figure it out. This last one.... I think i will let him get the grades HIS work deserves this year. Unless he gets the memo ... he will be the tallest kid in the 5 grade next year.
We moved this year. So I went to the big Parent meeting. I expected a PTO wallet lifting session and was pleasantly suprised when the 5 th grade staff presented an exhaustive presentation on the books, grades, make up work, day planner (agenda) and other systems they use to insure the process is adminstered to full effect.
We are 2 weeks into the school year. We have not seen a "agenda" (read: planner) book yet... and have heard the classic "we did not talk about this and we don't have a book" when he tries to get us to do his home work for him.
Every grade he's been in so far has tried to use a planner or agenda book.... the kid simply blew those off... and never knows what he has to do and was chronically last with work last year.
The kid was really suprised when we got home last night ..... and laid it out for him.
His last district gave "A"s for work that could not be read... not showing work... not following instructions, etc. He brought back a math paper with a "68%" last night .... seems Dollar signs go to the left of the figures in this country. The teacher marked those wrong for being to the right of the figure...or not show at all. I love it. He has been getting points-off for not spelling his name with upper case letters too.( it's a rule... proper names are capitalized).
Maybe this will be the year that saves this kid from becoming the self inflated little ass hat his grandmother would like him to be.
I am the kind of guy who helps kids who really want help. I never do the work for them... and never get a straight answer to a question--- but I will show you how to look it up or figure it out. This last one.... I think i will let him get the grades HIS work deserves this year. Unless he gets the memo ... he will be the tallest kid in the 5 grade next year.
