Parents' Custom Report Card Kit
Parents' Custom Report Card Kit
How Will You React?
Whether it's As, Ds, or grades in between -- what's the best way to react to your child's report card? Read on to find your situation and a custom list of tips, along with ideas to help your child improve.
My Child Works Very Hard, But Her Grades are Low.
Tips for Talking with Your Child
If you work with your child every night and she's still not getting the material, be gentle with her. If your child isn't catching on, she's probably feeling bad and really needs your support.
If you know your child has been trying really hard, let her know that you appreciate that: "You really worked hard and this report card doesn't say that. Maybe we should go in and talk with your teacher about how we can help you."
Next Steps
When homework is a struggle and grades don't begin to show the time and effort your child puts in, then it't time for a conference with the teacher.
My Child is not Working up to His Ability.
Tips for Talking with Your Child
If your child's report card doesn't jibe with his ability, you may need to do a bit of detective work to figure out why. A lack of motivation can come from frustration at not being able to do schoolwork. Rather than admit they can't do it, some children will just give up or pretend not to care. Lack of motivation can also be an indicator of other problems.
You're the expert on your child. Through caring questions, you can find the underlying reasons for unsatisfactory grades.
Next Steps
Ask the teacher for help. She may be able to work a behavior modification system into your child's school program. Individual contracts can often motivate a child to do better, too.
If your child's lack of motivation is coming from other underlying issues, a small group counseling experience at school, or a few meetings with the school counselor, may point your child in the right direction.
My Child's Social Skills "Need Improvement."
Tips for Talking with Your Child
Social skills need to be taught and practiced at home and at school. Here's how to get started:
Next Steps
My Child Got poor Marks for "Work and Study Habits."
Tips for Talking with Your Child
Work and study habits include getting homework done, coming to class prepared, using time well, and caring for materials and equipment. Kids at the elementary level need a lot of help from their parents in these areas.
Next Steps
My Child is Struggling in One Area.
Tips for Talking with Your Child
How many times have we heard the story of the child who brings home five As and one B only to have the parent ask, "How come you got the B?" It is so important to first praise and encourage fine work. Some subjects are particularly challenging for children, and they have to work hard to get a passing grade. Celebrating hard work is critically important to your child's self-esteem.
Next Steps
If reading is a problem, then seeking help is very important: Reading problems don't go away without extra attention to specific skills.
With praise, encouragement, and help learning the skills they're weak on, kids will soon master those troublesome subject areas.
My Child was Graded Too Harshly.
Tips for Talking with Your Child
If you think your child deserved better grades, reassure her that you thought she'd do better too. Then tell her that you'll call the teacher to find out how you can help her to bring up her grades next time.
Next Steps
If you think the grades and the work still don't match up, you do have recourse to speak with the principal. But it's always best to try to work things out with the teacher.
My Child Received all "A's."
Tips for Talking with Your Child
A lot can be learned from a consistently strong report card, and your reactions are still important.
Next Steps
Brought to you by The American School Counselor Association
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