Elementary School Concerns/Issues

The big problem is retaliation upon the child. I would do what many others have suggested. If you can get the other parents aboard, approach the board.
I remember in college. In a Laplace transform class, everyone except 2 students received a midterm deficiency notice. Most of us were 3.o+ gpa students (me included). A couple of us went to the Dean about the teacher and presented our case. The next class the teacher said, "I guess you are not getting this." "No chit. What gave you that idea?" He backed up and basically started over and put the grades on a curve. Next quarter he was not teaching the class.
If it is 1 or 2 students that are having a problems it is most likely not the teacher. If the majority of the students are having a problem, it is the teacher.
It is a shame that they take it out on the students for their own inadequacies.

Fire away Grammar cop! You must have recieved a very fine edyoumankateshun. I always struggled with English and Grammar.

 

I would recommend involving the Principal, having a meeting with both Principal and teacher. You have communication with the teacher, now get the Principal involved. As a small Principal myself, you are responsible for many things. Sometimes you may not be aware of some classroom issues. Make them aware.

 

Yup on the principal. More so for you and your child than for consideration of the teacher.

 

Oh man the frustrations of raising children. I honestly believe I became a better teacher after dealing with all the headaches of my daughters going through school. My oldest daughter as an 8th grader flunked off of the swim team due to an F in Science. I wanted to know what kind of an F she got, 59% or 5%. Get in the meeting and the teacher starts off with how willing and polite and ready at the beginning of class she was, how he would like to have a room full of students like her. Get to the grade, 59.5%! Now I tell my students I accurately record what they earn. I don't "give" them a grade. But when someone is close to failing and is working hard, I do give them the benefit of the doubt.

I looked at her and said, "see how the real world is?". Principal let her go to the hall and looked at the teacher in disbelief. She said, "we will review this grade", and I told her, nope, wanted to know, now I do. All is good. She learned a hard lesson but in hindsight, it caused her to not cut deadlines and such close. This teacher did hold it against her even though I refused to have the grade changed. He and I eventually had a personal meeting to "discuss" his behavior towards her and others. He retired at the end of that year.

True homeschooling parents, I personally couldn't do it. I love teaching, but would not be a good teacher for them one on one. I enjoyed my girls and their 4H projects and our farm projects but helping with homework was a chore.

Pick a day and a time for a lesson. If your child is an early bird, get it done so the rest of the summer day is theirs. Don't make it a negative. A lot of math is involved in cooking. Writing a complete explanation of the cooking experience is a great way to learn correct writing skills. We had 10 cows and each day coming up the driveway the girls would tell me the chance of rain depending on the number of cows laying down.

Feel free to PM me, I am full of ideas, enjoy challenges. Really dislike teachers of this style. He is not responsible to have her book daily for her with no repercussions, yet she forgets or leaves it at home one day and she loses recess. Really??!! This is a ticklish situation that will require all of your tact. Remember, your child is watching and learning from this. Not only do you influence this situation, you are influencing how she will handle a similar situation in her life. So deal with it in the manner you would expect of her.

Good luck and said a prayer for you.

 

Will, being a complete arse here, "what happens if her Principal is a large one?????".

 

Just noticed that!! I'm actually a Principal in a SMALL school!! I'm 5'10" 200lbs not huge, but not small!

 

So glad to be so far away from those struggles. I do remember a high school math teacher who got so frustrated with her class of sophomores that she told us than none of us would ever go to college. She abandoned the class. Another teacher took over. Most of us did indeed go on to higher education. That was back in 1963. The teacher remained on the staff.

 

For me, email is my friend with the parents and contacts. Also it is great documentation for both parties. It is a great checks and balances system for the parents and teachers of students.

 

Great news! Good job letting them know you are concerned and involved parents!

 

Glad it went well. Dod you record the meeting?

 

Missed this thread, you did right thing wildwest ... Most teachers want to see kids succeed. You obviously know your daughter better than teacher. Once you and the teacher on the same page, it will get easier.
2 things to be careful of

1) your daughter is a social butterfly, she does not go to school to learn, she goes to school for her friends and social time.. this is typical with an only child. And will get worse, as she gets older.

2) playing the parents against the teacher. This is something that will require more parent-teacher conferences in the future.

My daughters 14 had a bad experience in second grade math and still does not like it..
Keep up the good work!

 

Oh wildwest I forgot about a trick I've learned along the way. My daughter the social butterfly, is also a mother hen. So if you can help her and get it so she understands the material before her classmates.
She may be like my daughter and then run around and help her classmates understand the work.
Great way to build confidence because she feels like she's smart and in control and helping

 

Excellent.

 

Glad to hear that. Seen the title and it was like, oh I wonder how the kiddo is doing.

 

Evidently you didn't sit on your laurels. Something was done, something was learned, something is being noticed! Good on all involved!