Search Results for: blog how to respond to your childs report card

Diary of a Cat Care B&B: Pictures and Report Cards

Today was a frustertaining day at the cats-only boarding facility. Frustertaining = entertaining and frustrating at the same time. Why? Because I was working on report cards. We try to write up a little report card for every guest who stays with us. It’s got checklists for how the cat ate, how the cat seemed emotionally, and what health issues we may have noticed. There’s space for comments… and we put a picture on the front. (School pictures and report card day, all in one!) Once again, I found myself appreciating the folks who do pet photography professionally. Some of … Continue reading →

How Will You Grade Your Students?

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One major aspect about school that concerns teachers, students, and parents alike is grades. States and school districts all have a set standard for grades and grading. They have a grading scale for all schools that places a numerical number with a letter grade. While teachers are bound to these numbers and letters to try to ensure that all students are grade as equally as possible, there are still many different levels of grading. Within their own classroom teachers can use many different methods and styles to grade their students. In addition to having different methods of obtaining grades, teachers … Continue reading →

The Importance of Getting Organized

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Many high school graduates will be heading off to their first semester of college before long. Many of those students are well grounded and have a strong hold on what they want in their future. However others do not. For that group of students who do not have a strong hold on their goals and dreams, college may take them for a whirl. Buckling down and studying and getting a grip on class work may be a little harder for these students. There are some things that students can do to enhance their success in college (and these tips will … Continue reading →

Are You a Homeschooler at Heart? Answers

In my last post I made up a test to help you determine if you are a homeschooler at heart. I asked a series of questions that hopefully you answered and are now back to see the results. You may want to go to the previous post before continuing. As I am not an expert in administering surveys, the results were pretty straightforward. If you answered predominantly A’s you are least like a homeschooler. If you answered primarily with B, you have some tendencies that could lend to homeschooling, but you are more likely to work with the current school … Continue reading →

Do You Think Like a Homeschooler? Quiz

Here is a test I made up to help you decide if you think like a homeschooler. Take the test and come back to read my next post to see if you are a homeschooler at heart and why. 1. You receive a lunch calendar for public school and see that you do not agree with some of the meals being served this month. You A. Toss the list and do not worry about it because at least half of the meals are healthy. B. Write a letter to the school requesting a healthier menu. C. Put the menu on … Continue reading →

More about Portfolios

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Previously I had discussed how teachers are being pushed now more than ever to create individualized student plans. In this creation of individualized planning, many suggest tracking your students’ progress through portfolios. While there is much research to suggest that portfolios do provide benefits to both teachers and students, many teachers are reluctant to begin them with their class. I had begun talking about some of the reasons that teachers are hesitant to use portfolios in my last article. Another reason why some teachers do not use portfolios in class is because they are uncertain how to assess them or … Continue reading →

Strangers to our Own

Scenario on the airplane trip home: Flight attendant: “How will she react on the plane?” “I have no idea.” “Well, how is she usually with loud noises? With staying in her seat? With other people around?” “I have no idea.” (Later, as toddler is screaming): “Does a pacifier or a bottle calm her down?” “I have no idea; I’ll try it.” (Later, as she is still screaming): Another woman: “I have some children’s Benadryl you could use to get her to sleep…or is she one of those kids who reacts by getting agitated?” “I have no idea.” First doctor visit … Continue reading →

Homework Clubs

Guys, have you heard about homework clubs? Homework clubs are a way for kids to get together and do their homework while being supervised by parents or teachers. Some kids find it more productive working in such an environment as opposed to working home alone. Some clubs are sponsored by schools, libraries or private tutoring companies. If you’re interested in having your child attend one, just check around in your community or consider starting one of your own. If you decide to start your own, here are a few things to keep in mind: The location should be one that … Continue reading →

Are You a Little Rushed in the Morning?

These parents must have been. At least I am going to assume that’s what happened. They were busily trying to get everyone fed, dressed and out the door and at the last minute remembered that they had to write a note on behalf of their child. These are actual excuse notes written to teachers by parents! Realizing that her son has P.E. today and needed to be excused, one mother wrote the following: My son is under a doctor’s care and has to miss P.E. today. Please execute him! Along the same lines: Please excuse Lisa for being absent. She … Continue reading →

Should Kindergarteners Receive Traditional Letter Grades?

When Tyler came home two weeks ago with his report card I had no idea this was the first time kindergarteners in Mobile County Public Schools were receiving letter grades. I was aware that some school didn’t give the traditional A, B, C, D, F grades but instead received either P (pass) or F (fail) or perhaps S (Satisfactory) or U (Unsatisfactory). Still I didn’t give much thought to it until Sunday when I read in our local paper that this is actually the first time grades are being given. I also found out that it’s causing somewhat of a … Continue reading →