In the district where I live and where my own children go to school, it is conference week. This year my oldest daughter has entered mid-high, so she doesn't have any conferences. The teachers contact you if they are concerned about your kid. I've never worried about my older daughter, she has always been a straight "A" student who takes honors classes and her conferences in the early years were always very positive. I actually felt like I didn't need to go because the teacher would look at my husband and I and just comment that she is "doing great", "a true leader to her peers", "a pleasure to have in class", "keep doing at home what you are doing", etc... They really had nothing to say.
My younger daughter was always been different. She is a very bright child, but she is someone that never applies herself to the the fullest of her capabilities. I would read a paper that was about to be turned in and comment, "Great idea, but you could add some more detail." I would say this paper is worth a 3 (out of 4). She would smile and be content with that. She had no problem being "at grade level" no matter how hard my husband and I pushed her. She just didn't care about grades.... until she entered middle school this year.
During conference week at the middle school, teachers only want to book an appointment with you if your child needs a little help. While my older daughter never had a conference appointment in middle school, I was prepared to attend one for my younger daughter. There was always something that needed to be worked on during her elementary years. Mostly because teachers knew that she was capable of so much more. But this year, no one wanted an appointment because my younger daughter is pulling straight "A's"
Where did this motivation come from? Why all of a sudden does she care about academics? Believe me when I say she is still a child who will admit that she goes to school strictly for the social life. When I sat down with her last night and we pulled up her grades on-line I told her how proud I was and asked what was motivating her this year. I expected her to answer that it was a certain teacher or maybe that she was just older now and knew she needed to work harder, so I was surprised when she answered, "Because I started with an "A"
When you enter middle school in our district, all of your grades are available for the parents and the student to see on-line. You see missed assignments, grades on all assignments, tests, comments from teachers, etc... But, what my daughter was mentioning was the fact that on day one of the school year, when she went on-line, her grades were all at "A's".
She realized that it would be easier for her to work hard to keep the "A" then it would be for her to work toward the "A". That was all she needed, to actually see those "A's" and like the feeling she was receiving from it.
This made me realize that when I have my own classroom, I plan to tell my students on the first day that they are all starting the year with an "A" and lets work together to keep it! I know that when every student walks into the room on that first day of school, they are already starting with an "A", but they don't know this. It's important to tell them this because you never know who you may be motivating with that type of logic. My daughter is proof of this.
My younger daughter was always been different. She is a very bright child, but she is someone that never applies herself to the the fullest of her capabilities. I would read a paper that was about to be turned in and comment, "Great idea, but you could add some more detail." I would say this paper is worth a 3 (out of 4). She would smile and be content with that. She had no problem being "at grade level" no matter how hard my husband and I pushed her. She just didn't care about grades.... until she entered middle school this year.
During conference week at the middle school, teachers only want to book an appointment with you if your child needs a little help. While my older daughter never had a conference appointment in middle school, I was prepared to attend one for my younger daughter. There was always something that needed to be worked on during her elementary years. Mostly because teachers knew that she was capable of so much more. But this year, no one wanted an appointment because my younger daughter is pulling straight "A's"
Where did this motivation come from? Why all of a sudden does she care about academics? Believe me when I say she is still a child who will admit that she goes to school strictly for the social life. When I sat down with her last night and we pulled up her grades on-line I told her how proud I was and asked what was motivating her this year. I expected her to answer that it was a certain teacher or maybe that she was just older now and knew she needed to work harder, so I was surprised when she answered, "Because I started with an "A"
When you enter middle school in our district, all of your grades are available for the parents and the student to see on-line. You see missed assignments, grades on all assignments, tests, comments from teachers, etc... But, what my daughter was mentioning was the fact that on day one of the school year, when she went on-line, her grades were all at "A's".
She realized that it would be easier for her to work hard to keep the "A" then it would be for her to work toward the "A". That was all she needed, to actually see those "A's" and like the feeling she was receiving from it.
This made me realize that when I have my own classroom, I plan to tell my students on the first day that they are all starting the year with an "A" and lets work together to keep it! I know that when every student walks into the room on that first day of school, they are already starting with an "A", but they don't know this. It's important to tell them this because you never know who you may be motivating with that type of logic. My daughter is proof of this.
Very true! It is a pleasure to read your blogs as it soudns like we are one the same track with our subbing experiences. I'm glad you sent this out to the cohort. Keep up the good writing Mrs. White.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I am very surprised at how much subbing I have been receiving and at how much I enjoy it! I am just trying to take as many notes as I can so that when I have my own classroom I will know what works and what doesn't. Which is why blogging can only benefit me too... as well as others who may be reading this!
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