What should I do? Should I take away his video games until he brings his grades up? I have e-mailed his teachers, but I have done this earlier, after progress reports and his English and Spelling grades only got worse. He says it is too easy and boring. The school system here does not have gifted programs like his old school did. I want him to realize that this is not acceptable. Any ideas?
2007-01-05 12:22:07 · 14 answers · asked by kyeann 5 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Grade-Schooler
This happened to my son in the 3rd quarter of 4th grade. He was totally grounded for the 4th quarter until report cards came. He had no video games, no friends and no tv. He was only allowed school work, reading and basketball (i didn't want him to quit after he made committment to team). He was told that if grades didn't come up at least one letter grade up for each that had dropped that he would be forced to do worksheets and home work all summer and he would not be allowed to play baseball. Every single grade came up to A's and B's and one C (up from a D). Whatever you decide as punishment besure you are firm, consistant and don't give in. Also, try to meet him half way on the gifted thing. If he's that bored then try signing him up for outside programs that are fun and will enrich his experience. Language stars, math and science classes at museums, etc.
2007-01-05 18:37:40 · answer #1 · answered by Ella727 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is a toughie. You mentioned another school district he was in before. Could it be that you have moved and he misses his friends, and his other routines? You definitely want him to know you expect him to work up to his abilities. If he is letting the video games take all his attention, then you may have to set limits. Maybe let him earn playing time, so much time for a C, a little bit more for a B, and so on. Also ask the school if he could be a tutor to other kids, or maybe he could work in the library or office, if his grades are good. If the school work is too easy, he should have something in his day that is challenging. Helping other students or teachers could give him the little extra he needs. And take a look at his books, and make sure the things covered in the new school are not the same things he already did in the old school. Keep pushing the teachers and administrators to come up with other things to help him, and work with them closely. The more involved you are shows him and the staff that you are willing to do whatever it takes to make sure he succeeds.
2007-01-05 20:42:49 · answer #2 · answered by marasmom86 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are a few things that might be wrong.
1. Is he having trouble seeing? Often times kids have eye problems and their grades will drastically drop.
2. Is he getting enough sleep? He should be getting around 8-9 hours depending on him.
If both of those things are okay talk to the teachers are determine the problem. Is he really bored? If so, check out other schooling options in your area or ask teachers for advice. Is he acting up in class? This is a reason to ground him.
Let him know, if he is bored, that he needs to still pay attention and focus on his studies. As he enters higher grades he will have the option for more advanced classes, but unless his grades remain high he won't have the chance to take them.
Make sure you challenge him at home. Let him do Sudoku or other puzzles if he likes them, or find writing competitions he can enter. Encourage him to be creative and study hard.
You may also be going through a phase, where he thinks studying and doing well in class makes him look "nerdy" or uncool. Explain to him that failing is not a way to gain respect and friends.
2007-01-05 22:05:34 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My daughter is in the 4th grade and up until this year she was a straight A+ student. We noticed that this year she didn't seem as excited about going to school as she used to be. Her report card came in November and all her marks were B's and a few C's. We come to find out that one of the two teachers that teach her is mean and my daughter was scared of her. After a meeting with the teacher and my child things are better and in the last month her marks are back up where they usually are. Talk to you son..maybe there is a problem with the teacher or with another student.
2007-01-05 22:57:44 · answer #4 · answered by ladibugdiva 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
From my 10yo son in 5th grade straight A student in gifted program:
CALMLY say "i dont like these grades. do your best. i'm not saying that you have to get them up or i will punish you. i just want you to do your best"
why doesn't the school system have a gifted program? Check into the No Child Left Behind Act. It says something about every kid getting what they need to be successful. If your kid says the work is too easy and he's bored, he probably needs to be challenged more. any accelerated programs?
2007-01-05 21:10:13 · answer #5 · answered by jmprince01 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To your son, I would insist on improvement, and follow up by checking his work daily. It's hard for anything to slip by if you spend the first 5 minutes home every day going through the backpack.
To the teachers and school, INSIST that your son be given instruction that is matched to his ability. GATE or not, it is the law(at least in CA) that students with special needs ( this includes gifted kids too.) be given differentiated instruction. Most teacher manuals have acitvities for advanced students. Have the teacher include these for your son.
Differentiated instruction does NOT mean extra work. That is NOT FAIR to the student. What he may need is more indepth assignments. ie: if he passes his math or spelling pretest at the beginning of the week, he spends the class time that week working on a model or newspaper project incorporating the concepts covered in that lesson. Talk to a veteran teacher to get ideas.
Also, if your son is new to a school and it is a little bit rougher than your last area ( It sounds that way if they don't offer special programs) He might be trying to set himself up to be successful socially. Talk to him about the social situation at this new school. Is it 'cool' to keep up in class? Is it taboo to participate in class discussions? He might be dealing with some bullies and just trying to cope.
Either way, don't be too hard on him. Insist on the best he is capable, and then work in these other areas. Hope this helps!
2007-01-05 20:51:08 · answer #6 · answered by musicmommy 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I actually went through this as a kid. Class was boring and too easy...no gifted class at all. You know what my mother did to me...threatened to ground me till I was old and gray if I did not keep my grades up. Or maybe you should think about jumping him ahead a grade if the work is really too easy for him.
2007-01-05 20:34:33 · answer #7 · answered by Saphira 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I find that to be an excuse. If its so easy then he should have no trouble getting A,s there is something else going on. has his friends changed the music he listens to the way he speaks to you. is there a girl in his life. My son got picked on for getting A's and his grades started to drop. offer him a reward something he is interested in besides video games. Oh and yes start taking his things away, school is his only real job. He needs to do it, doing your work in school teaches him about dead lines. and getting the job done right
2007-01-05 20:30:22 · answer #8 · answered by shannon m 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, maybe the work is too easy for him,m and he's not interested. You'll have to do something. It's a good idea to not let him do anything until he gets straight A's again. Or maybe, you could possibly think about transferring to different school.
2007-01-06 11:56:36 · answer #9 · answered by Vladimir Lenin 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There might be something going on. Watch him for signs of depression or odd behavior. He might be getting bullied, abused, or something. That seems awfully young to simply be rebelling. I rebelled but not until 7th or 8th grade.
2007-01-05 20:30:42 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋