Decoding your child’s report card

Decoding your child’s report card

Regional News

Grades don’t say it all.

Teachers comments can reveal a lot about your child when it comes to report cards.

Elementary school students will receive their report cards Nov. 26.

Grades are straightforward ranging from excellent to needs improvement in between, but it is common for parents to dismiss the learning skills component, not seeing the direct relation between teacher’s comments and academic outcomes, said Stuart Ackerman, elementary school teacher and founder of TutorGiant.com, a website he will launch Nov. 26 to help parents boost their children’s academic achievement.

“The learning skills are a precursor to why your child got the grade,” he said. “Parents don’t usually see the link.”

However, parents of students who could fare better are always searching for ways to help their child to succeed.

This can be done by analysing the skills portion of the report card and figuring out a plan of action.

“Report cards give you the snapshot of how your child is doing but don’t give solutions,” he said.

After sending home report cards, teachers usually follow up with a parent-teacher interview to discuss achievements or improvement.

A quick tip for parents is to come to the discussion with an open mind, an idea of the topics they wish to discuss as well as solutions.

Mr. Ackerman decoded the learning skills portion of the report card and offers some suggestions you can use at home to help improve you child’s grades.

Learning skill: use of information

Reason for poor grade: Your child is having difficulty seeing the bigger picture, he doesn’t make connections between different subject areas.

Solution: You need to help your child integrate his learning.

While learning about prisms and pyramids in geometry, link the lesson with history about Egyptian pyramids to make a connection or let him add up the bill the next time you eat dinner out to show him the practical application of the lesson.

Learning skill: initiative

Reason for poor grade: Your child shies away from accepting new challenges or learning new concepts.

Solution: It could be your child is lacking the self-confidence to jump into something new.

Have him learn and explain the topics he is interested in, such as researching the latest video game or the concept of aviation.

He will then be more excited to learn.

Learning skill: class participation

Reason for poor grade: Your child does not involve himself with the topic.

Solution: Try creating a reward system at home based on your child’s participation in class.

Get him to keep a journal of how he participated in class that day and do a show-and-tell session when he gets home.

Reward him with the things he enjoys doing or a special treat.

Learning skill: independent work

Reason for poor grade: The student shows a lack of organization and responsibility.

Solution: Think of tasks your child can do independently that require organization and that will help him take on more responsibility at home.

For example, helping your child keep a homework calendar teaches time management and working to tidy up his room will help with organization.

Learning skill: homework completion

Reasoning for the poor grade: Your child has not reviewed his work from the day and may not be ready for the next lesson.

Solution: Make sure to stay in contact with your child’s teacher through your child’s agenda on a daily basis. Have your child explain his homework to you or go over it when completed to ensure he understands.

Learning skill: goal setting to improve work

Reason for poor grade: Your child doesn’t know where he needs to improve.

Solution: Sit down with your child after you have received his report card and have had a parent-teacher interview to decide together what his goals should be. Keep it simple and straightforward so there is no confusion.

Learning skill: co-operation with others

Reason for poor grade: Your child has a hard time learning and communicating with others affecting both their grades and social skills.

Solution: Give your child more opportunities to interact with other children his age outside of the classroom by enrolling him in sports, clubs, community organizations or play dates.

Learning skill: conflict resolution

Reason for poor grade: The student has difficulty with communication that can affect his co-operative learning and oral communication grades.

Solution: Try acting it out at home. Take a situation your child might live through at school every day and model appropriate communication skills, show your child how to use their words.

Learning skill: problem solving

Reason for poor grade: Your child may have trouble understanding problems and finding solutions, which carries over to every subject area.

Solution: Begin to work out your problems aloud and let your child hear your thought process. Go through the steps of solving a problem with your child and the next time it arises, allow him to take charge.

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