Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.
- My child is feeling 'overwhelmed', what can I do to help him/her?
- Are there any other supplies they 'must have'?
- Why don't you grade their homework?
- How Do You Grade the Notebooks?
- What can we do to help make our student 'more successful'?
- What if my child is running into difficulty?
- What about 'Extra Help'?
- What makes up the 'final grade'?
- What if I think my child needs 'extra help?'
- I 'know' that my child is very 'social'.
My child is feeling 'overwhelmed', what can I do to help him/her?
Encourage them to use the daily organizer required by the school. Homework
should be at a set time. You are the parent,you know your child and their
schedule. After 6 hours at school most need a bit of 'down time' after school,
usually an hour is more than enough.
Some do need to throw their jacket over a chair and get to it right away or
they will find a way to become occupied otherwise to ever get to it.
WARNING/ALERT 7th or 8th grade students that have been notified to attain
parental signatures for their notebooks are not performing at grade level in a
responsibility sense. This should have been mastered in 6th grade.
It is strongly suggested, that if your child had to have their notebook signed
in 6th grade, that they should be held accountable by YOU in 7th. I will not
speak for the other teachers, but a note will come home if your child is
missing several assignments in my class. How you hold them responsible is your
decision.
However, if they do not develop these skills now, both you and your child are
going to have a rough road in high school. NOW is the time to correct your
child's problem.
Please do not allow your child to come to school with many different
pens/pencils. Too many choices just keeps them preoccupied, when they should
be listening. They need to have 2 blue or black ink pens and at least 1 red
ink pen. 2 pencils or an automatic pencil should suffice. Highlighters are
highly encouraged in my classes-one for people, another color for places, and
a third for 'ideas' or significant events.
Are there any other supplies they 'must have'?
Each day the student is expected to bring to my classes a spiral bound
notebook. I grade these. I prefer they have the ones with the coil, not
glued, (the pages come loose and the students lose them). They must also have
a blue or black pen, red pen, pocket notebook, highlighter(s), and assignment
notebook. Beginning in the 2007 school year, the student should also have
colored pencils, and a ruler as they will be constructing 'interactive' notebooks.
Why don't you grade their homework?
This method requires the student to complete their assignment, but doesn't
penalize them for incorrect answers, unless they fail to correct their
mistakes. IF your child tries to write just'anything' and I catch it, they
will get a 0 and it probably won't happen twice!
I check to make sure the homework is completed-spot checking to make sure the
students are truly answering the question posed. After collecting the points
for work done or not, they are required to correct/add the information in RED
to their homework, that is retained in their notebooks. Thus, they always have
the information to refer to and study from. During test prep, this gives them
a good idea on their areas of trouble.
How Do You Grade the Notebooks?
In the 2007 school year, I will be implementing 'interactive notebooks. The
students will be given a rubric and directions on how it will be set up. I
will have some examples available at open house in September.
What can we do to help make our student 'more successful'?
Recognize that it's your child's 'job' to do their work. It is NOT your JOB
or MY job, it's THEIR job. You will run into many fewer problems in high
school if you establish this pattern now. (Either you will be out of your
'depth' or your child will NOT be prepared for college).
What you can do is READ. Read the newspapers and discuss current events with
your child. They really want to know what's going on in the world. They want
to know what you think-it helps them form their opinions of what the world
'should be like.' It's important that they hear YOUR opinions and values. I
try to present 'both sides' of issues, but this is YOUR child and they should
know YOUR opinions. You might be surprised at the questions they ask and the
answers they come up with.
Watching a good television news program together can also be useful, and you
may be impressed with what they know! By the way, these are great topics for
dinner table. You most likely will hear if you ask, "How was your day?" Fine."
Asking and listening to their responses to questions of 'ideas'can give real
insight to where your child's thinking is going.
If you disagree with your child, explain your point in a logical way, I
encourage the students to 'listen' to opposing points of view. One of my
favorite graduates in a past year was one who often disagreed with the
majority and had the courage to stand for her convictions.
If you have a 6th grade student, please check their assignment notebook.
Check periodically to make sure they are completing their assignments. By
checking at the beginning, you will probably head off any problems that might
develop. Parents of 7th and 8th grade students should rarely have to look at
the notebooks, as the student should have this responsibility. (See above
regarding 'signatures.')
What if my child is running into difficulty?
If I think they are in difficulty: by grades, failure to work, or attitude,
I'll call you or send a note home.
HEADS UP: Especially for 6th graders. This is a difficult transition for many
students. It is not unusual for 'A' students to fall to 'B' or even 'C', and
not because they aren't trying, but rather they haven't learned yet to
'generalize' information. In my classes I am teaching these skills and after a
test I reteach these skills again.
If your child is completing their homework, taking notes, and studying-please
give them the time they need to grasp these concepts. The benefits will pay
off during the course of their education. While the accolades of a high honor
roll may be missing in the first or second quarter of 6th grade, it's so much
better that you 'set the table' for your child to accept the challenge to
enter into an honors or advanced placement course in high school, with them
knowing that a 'B' well earned is appreciated.
For too many high school students, the fear of a less than 'A' will prevent
them from accepting a challenge later. (If you like, check out college web
sites and what they are looking for. An 'A' in a regular class is NOT equal to
a 'B' in honors or AP.) The top colleges are looking for students willing to
'risk' and be well-rounded. This cannot happen for a child that is not doing
their own work. The framework will have not been constructed for success. If
YOU feel your child is concerned/overwhelmed or you are concerned, please call
the school and we'll either meet or talk on the phone. In no circumstances
should a child feel so 'pressured' that they are sick due to a test or
homework assignment. IF that is happening, it is worth discussing
modifications for your child.
What about 'Extra Help'?
I am available most mornings from 7:30-8:00. If I'm in the building my
door will be open from the parking lot, so the students may enter directly
into the room. If I have a meeting, I try to post a note on the door.
If your child needs one-on-one time or help with homework, please just drop
them off, making sure first that they are able to enter my room-Mrs. Mendez
is aware that grades 6-8 students are in my room. There may be times that I
have meetings that make this not feasible, but 95 times out of 100, I'm here.
What makes up the 'final grade'?
6th grade-All points are equal. Test points are the same as homework points,
as are extra credit points. Lowest test grade is tossed each quarter.
7th grade and 8th grade-All points are NOT equal, they are 'weighted'. If
your child is having problems in understanding the material or in taking
tests, it will quickly become apparent. If this is the case, it will be
necessary for teacher and parents to meet.
Descending order of weight: Tests and notebook grades, quizzes, reports,
homework completion of daily assignments, extra credit is usually figured at
the homework weight.
In most high school classes homework is a but a small percentage of grade;
the heavier weighting is given to tests, quizzes, and reports. This weighting
may have a significant impact on the report card grades and parents need to
recognize that children mature at different rates, academically as well as
physically.
I'm trying to have the children recognize their strong and weak areas. In all
likelihood most cannot achieve superior test grades without doing their
homework, (at Holy Ghost they cannot receive an 'A' or likely even a 'B'
without a solid homework grade); yet, doing all the homework without
understanding will not significantly help their test or report card grade in
7th or 8th grades.
I want your child to achieve the highest level they are capable of; in order
for them to recognize that level they must have realistic feedback. For most
that means that they must recognize the limits and levels they are currently
capable of. Once they recognize those limits, they may strive for a higher
goal, recognizing the work that will be necessary. For most students, they
must assume about 45 minutes of homework nightly per course, yet keep in mind
that the teacher may give time in class towards this time. This year I will be
having more classes with 6th and 7th grade, but only one with 8th grade, thus
I will not be able to give the 8th grade 'homework time' very often, It is up
to your child to use the time and the teacher aid available.) Remind your
student that they may come in my room at 7:30 for help or to do homework.
What if I think my child needs 'extra help?'
Please check the links I've provided. There are sites for 'homework help.'
For the vast majority of students these sites, plus the help the teachers can
offer is more than enough. Paying 'tutors' is pointless if the child is not
applying themselves-that is a word to the wise. All three middle school
teachers have times for extra help, my normal available times are from 7:30-8
every morning.
If you think your child needs more help, check with the office, they have a
list of available tutors, it's school policy that grade teachers NOT tutor
their students, for obvious reasons. I would suggest that before you spend the
time and money to enroll your child in a tutoring program, that you discuss
your concerns with any applicable teachers, so that they may give you/the
tutor any necessary information to help your child.
Your child also knows they may e-mail me with a specific question or a concern.
I 'know' that my child is very 'social'.
Being social is a very good academic and personal skill, but you must help
them harness it. Back the instructor when they explain that it is getting in
the way of your child's success.