report card advice

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-22-2006
report card advice
7
Fri, 02-01-2008 - 6:24pm
Hi everyone. I got my son's report card today. He gets two report cards- one in English and the other in Spanish. He basically got all A's and B's. They write a paragraph about how they think they are doing and it seems clear that they love him but it also seems clear that his classwork is not as focused as his homework and he is a bit of a space cadet. I kind of could have guessed this of course. I supervise a lot of the homework and make sure that it is done correctly but how do I encourage him to put in more focused effort in school for the classwork. I dont NEED for him to get all A's but I have a feeling he could actually get them if he just addressed the focus thing in school. Any suggestions?
Lilypie - Personal picture
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-15-2004
Fri, 02-01-2008 - 6:48pm
Well, based on what a lot of people go thru w/ their kids, i think that you may want to thank your lucky stars he IS getting A's & B's.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 11-22-2006
Fri, 02-01-2008 - 7:07pm
Yes, you might be right that I am making a mountain out of a molehill. Its just I know him and I think the focus thing does keep him from doing his best. He has really got the quality control thing down pat on the homework because I am enforcing it so he does focus and he reads more carefully. Then In class he doesnt get that one on one correction and he slips a little. I want him to know the good stuff that comes from doing your best even when Mom isnt hovering. This is honestly why I considered homeschooling him but I couldnt with my schedule. It is hard for the teachers to give the one on one so somehow I have to motivate him to correct himself if he feels himself drifting I guess...The Spanish component really requires him to keep focus or else he will fall behind on new things they are introducing. They introduce new concepts in Spanish 50% of the time and dont translate the info back for four days. It's difficult for him but he CAN do it even if it is a stretch. And we are so proud of him for becoming bilingual - it is a huge achievement for him. I mean, he explained something to the workman I had in the house today because I couldnt get my point across - he just spoke to him in Spanish!
Also, dont worry - there is tons of positive reinforcement and I am lucky in that he is a super smart little boy and he knows it! Just being a worrywart probably at this point...
Lilypie - Personal picture
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-13-2005
Fri, 02-01-2008 - 8:46pm
How old is he?
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-22-2006
Fri, 02-01-2008 - 9:00pm
He is nine and in fourth grade.
Lilypie - Personal picture
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-13-2005
Sat, 02-02-2008 - 6:40am

He is still young. I think if you are concerned and want to learn more you should schedule a meeting with the teacher. From my experience, they love when parents take interest and talk to them and support them from the home front. I would also praise him whenever he makes a good effort - focus on the effort and behavior more than the grades. Talk to him about his day and let him see that you care.

My son was a little sloppy/slack in his early elementary years before he really started to gain a lot of friends and confidence. Also he was rushing to finish his paper first - that is a common competitive thing sometimes. So, as he grew he gained confidence and learned to turn in accurate papers versus the first paper. I used to help a lot with papers, homework and studying for tests. Then when he got good at all of it I took a step back and let him do it - I pretty much helped a lot until after fifth grade. We are middle school now and he is much more independent and getting mostly As on his own, even in studying for tests and writing papers.

As and Bs are a great start!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-22-2006
Sat, 02-02-2008 - 9:42am
Wow that actually just made me feel a lot better to hear your point of view since you have been through it a bit. I talked to my bf about it a bit last night as well. I think I am just going to lean back and celebrate the good report card. I do think I should have him read the paper they wrote about him which both praises and encourages him to keep working on better focus There are parts of it that suggest they want me to have him read it just in the way it is worded. They love him and want to see him reach his full potential as we all do. So if I just let him read that and ask him what his thoughts are, do you think that is a good idea? I dont want to push it and he is already aware that it is a challenge of his. We will plan some sort of special dinner over the report card too because we always do that.
Thanks so much for your input....
Lilypie - Personal picture
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-03-2003
Sat, 02-02-2008 - 10:30am

I don't think our situations are identical, but they may be similar enough to be of interest.


DD-10 doesn't have a hurry-up bone in her body.