Parents....how do you handle poor grades on your childs report card?

Question

2 As....2 Bs....and 2 Ds. What do you do in your home to encourage your children to bring up there grades? One of the Ds is for Incomplete work.

Answer 1

Talk about the As and Bs first--2/3 of your child's grades are exceptional, and if you talk to her about the Ds first, that's all she'll remember.

When you are talking with your child about grades, don't tell--ask. "Tell me about those A grades--is that a subject you really like?" "Does it come easily to you?" "Are there other classes in this area you'd be interested in taking?"

Do the same thing with the D grades: "Is this your best work?" "What do you think we should do about this?" "How can I help you?"

Truth be told, if the subjects in which she's getting Ds aren't all that interesting or practical, give her permission to put less effort into those, in favor of real investment in those other areas that really strike her fancy. The incomplete work is a concern, and should be addressed, but if the level best your child can do is a C, give her permission to get a C.

Think about it from this perspective: you probably drive across a bridge every day, right? I don't know about you, but I hope the people who designed that bridge got all As in calculus and physics and all kinds of math courses, but I couldn't care less whether or not they know who William Shakespeare is, for example. The world pays for specialization, not "well-roundedness". The more time we spend at the things we show the most potential toward, the more likely it is we can become successful at them. If you spend all your time trying to "fix" the D grades, you'll live a "C" or a "B" life--at best.

Better to help your child turn an "A" into an "A+"...

Answer 2

I was gonna say lay off a bit when I saw the question, but he's in 4th grade, grades shouldn't be dropping already lol Punish him but don't to it to intense levels because he'll just end up doing worse in spite of the punishment, (if he has anything of an attitude) just try to do something reasonable such as, take a little thing away that he spends time on while he should be doing homework or something bring back the reward system haha "if you do your homework, you can have your breakfast!' (don't do anything that intense though, first thing i thought of) Do a small punishment until the evaluation is completed, you're a parent, im sure you can figure out what is appropriate If it's really honest bad grades, then it should not be punished, but say...if he has a week to study for a test and doesnt and fails it?, then thats the punishment worthy issue, do NOT punish for honest bad grades

Answer 3

The rule in my house is that you do your best. So yeah, my kids will get in trouble for even B's if that's not their best work. On the other hand I'll accept C's if that's the best work they can do in that subject.

In my house a D for incomplete work would result in a total crackdown on privileges. Homework being done would be the first thing after getting home from school. Our school lists the homework assignments and due dates online and on a homework help line that we can call into. I'd be tracking those and demanding to be shown progress on all homework everyday before any fun stuff happens. Life could get miserable for all of us but that's what it takes sometimes.

Answer 4

Make an appointment to see your child's teacher. Try to pin point the reason for the first D. The work maybe to hard for him or the teacher is unable explain a certain subject. Talk we your child in the presence of the teacher to see why their is incomplete for the second D.

Always help your children with their homework. At least check it when they are finish. You must remember, parents are teacher too!

God Bless

Answer 5

This question is hard to answer without knowing many facts about your child. It depends how old the child is because after a while taking things away doesn't work anymore.
You want to attempt to be a parental friend with your child. PARENTAL FRIEND! not just a friend don't let it slide or it will continue to occur. The main thing your going to have to do is talk to your child and see what type of plan both of you can work out. Remember this is a relationship between both of you not a dictatorship...

Answer 6

I was the child with those grades...There is hope...I graduated with a 3.8 and I am proud of that, because of the trouble that I have had.
As long as your child is trying to do as well as he or she can...its okay. Talk to his teachers, see how he is doing in school, socially and in the classroom...
If he or she is slower in some subjects get him help in that subject.
Talk to your child, find out if things are botering him.
DONT YELL AND SCREAM. Encourage him to do better.
Help him with homework and school projects, but dont give him the answers...let him figure it out.
Let him know that something is not WRONG unless you refuse to Correct it...
And be patient, it may take a while to see the improvement.
Hope this Helps
Jett B

Answer 7

Ha, im a student myself and my parents dont do anything if i have a bad grade sadly to say. You need to sit down and talk to your kid and see what subjects he is doing poorly in. Then everynight you need to sit down with him/her and do that homework. Dont do homework RIGHT after school let your child grab a snack and relax they've been at school for 8 hours!! Have them sit in the kitchen and why your cooking supper you can watch them do it and help them. Also, call those 2 teachers and speak to them about it. Hope my advice worked..

Answer 8

have the child meet with the' D' teachers and get an idea of what is not right. Get a tutor if necessary. This does not sound like a stupid child so dont worry, just take action.

Answer 9

taking privilages away....video games, telephone, cell phone, computer access......get extra help from the teacher during lunch (childs job to do at school)..and to sit at the table every night with him/her with homework/projects/studying...communication with the teacher (written notes in day planner most kids have between parent and teacher, needs it to be signed by parent every night...teacher puts what homework was assigned) that's very important* You want your child to succeed, and need to teach them the tools to do that. Having them learn that you're not expecting all A's* ...but you do expect them to do the best that they can, and by handing in incomplete work is not acceptable. Once you stand your ground and follow through with taking privliages away until effort is put forth...the child will understand and follow through also* :)

Answer 10

i have contant contact with the teachers now . my son was getting bad grades and now i talk to the teachers and find out when he is missing something. i ask himand make him stay in his room (electronics free, no games TV, nothing)to study. he has to make flashcards, or definitions or something. his grades have gone up. i used to take things away from him and that did work. i also dont let him go play baskeball or go outside until his grae goes up. he can do a couple of assignments to make his grade go up. i make him get a grade check from his teachers. it is hard work being a parent. i also let him know he ios not hurting me, he is hurting his future.good luck.