My son Anthony is the smartest and most popular kid in his class or so his teacher has told me I just signed him up for football and purchased his shoes and pads all comming up to be over $300 and this is the note I get from her this morning
"I just wanted to let you know that Anthony is really having a rough couple of weeks. He is not completing his work and what he is turning in is not receiving all the credit because it is very sloppy and hard to understand. One assignment he still has not completed was his Biography... this was due two weeks ago. He was given at least 1 hour everyday for a month to work on it and is still given about a half hour everyday to get it done. I told him to turn it in for at least some credit. His behavior has also been off the wall, he will not stay in his seat (which is why his work is not getting done) and is distracting some of the other kids. I try and remind him but this is just not working nor is color changing or missing recess.'
how do I deal with this being the last b2 weeks of school??
We had a long talk when he got home, he turned in his biography that same day I never did get to see it...his teacher is giving me daily reports of his behavior, as of right now hes not allowed to play football unless he can show us he really wants it by being good in school and at home, hes not allowed to watch tv or play video games this has been going on since wed. and hes doing great so far....Yes he was gate tested both him and his 4th grade sister and they are both "gifted" my daughter gets all A's but my son is a B's and C's student I dont understand it.....
I am sorry, I haven't experienced this yet, but he probably has "summer fever".... I don't have anything else other than that :-(
Just because a child is "popular" and "smart" does not mean that they will never ge tin trouble at school. I understand being shocked by your sons behavior! I would nip it in the bud before it gets worse. He may think he can get away with acting how he wants because he is popular and gets attention from others. I would ground him, take away his toys etc. and make it clear to him that if he plays in school when he is supposed to be learning that he won't be able to play when her normally does. I agree with Dawn. We recently went through something very similar with our son(my 10 year old step son). He was grounded, had his toys taken away and had to write an apology to his teacher. He was being disruptive, throwing paper airplanes, rubberbands, following the lead of another child, chewing gum etc. The first week we along with his teacher gave him a chance to turn things around on his own. His teacher told him what she expected of him and he continued into the entire second week to act like this. So he was grounded. He continued for a third week and was grounded again. Now we are into the fourth week and have not had any bad reports from his teacher(knock on wood). He is clear on what is expected of him by all of us! He also knows that there will be consequences if we get anymore bad reports from his teacher. We have given him things to look forward to like a fishing trip this weekend and our pool opening the follow. Good luck! :)
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I would tell him that he needs to redo any assignment that his teacher did not accept for credit, and he also needs to do the biography immediately---and it must be acceptable. Personally, I would make him do all the work even if school was OVER. I would get a list of the assignments, and have him turn it in to YOU for credit, and that he can't play with friends, video games etc until all work is completed and acceptable.
Letting a kid "steal time" (all those hours!) and get away with it sends a bad message. The idea of stalling until it is "too late" is a bad precedent, and may carry over into other areas of his life.
This is a matter of responsibility and integrity and honesty. Have him imagine what would happen if his parents did what he did, in their jobs. They would be fired!
But also try to find out WHY this happened.
Was the work hard for him? Was he bored? Mad at teacher?
What a shock for a teacher to come out of the blue and say this now. My first thought........if he is smart and popular: he is bored of school, ready to be done and enjoy entertaining his friends. At this point......I would encourage your son to try and settle down a bit prior to the last two weeks and maybe award him with a good behavior chart for each day he gets a good progress from the teacher. Tell the teacher that you will do your best to stay on top of this in the next couple weeks. I would not take it too seriously. Try to honor the teacher and respect her thoughts, but at the same time, try not to take it too seriously as you know the grades are good and he is over-all a good child. But out of respect, help the teacher with your child at home to reward him for good behavior in class and not goofing off too much. Foot ball.....too me has nothing to do with this.... I would still send him.
~Good luck. Happy Summer..........I am ready too !
It is likely impending summer jitters. These last few weeks are the WORST for kids. We are down to 3 days including today and a lot of the kids are bouncing off the walls.
also look at his diet, find out if he's had any extra sugar lately. A little extra sugar can add a lot of extra trouble . When this stuff happens with my kiddos I know to look under the dining room table and train tables to check for candy wrappers.
If he is in 3rd grade why arnt you momma checking his work? Is this class work or homework. If its work done at school why has the teacher waited two weeks?? It sounds like he needs an adjustment in his attitude towards his work. Time to address your child at home with some consequences. I would write a note back telling the teacher that your son will be changing how he does school work. And if you could inform me immediately if something is not getting done.
I do not get your comment about football and being popular, It really has nothing to do with being respectful to your class or teacher.
Sounds like he has what I refer to as "Short Timers" Summer is in sight he he is ready to get out of there already. I was always like that and it drove my mom nuts. I would do great work all year, but as soon as the warm weather hit us I had my head in the clouds and counted down to the end of the day. I would make him redo all of work, during the whole weekend, if need be. Even if can not get credit on it I would still have him do it. Good Luck!
As a previous teacher, I know how frustrating the end of school can be for teachers. It only takes one kids being off track to distract all of them, and there are a lot of "loose ends" that teachers have to tie up before school is finished. I agree with others, that he needs to finish up his work/projects or his final term grades will suffer as well as creating bad habits that could continue into next year. ASK THE TEACHER TO SEND HIS BIOGRAPHY HOME SO THAT HE CAN FINISH IT WITHOUT DISTRACTIONS. Then have a discussion with your son about responsible behavior. Discuss why we don't disturb others and what the consequences will be (no football...the equipment can be returned) if he continues. It is obvious that the teacher is feeling a need for backup from home, so please give her some.
For next year, bear in mind that if he is gifted...well, let's just say that sometimes gifted students get bored with school when the work is not challenging enough. Has he been tested? Bear in mind that Einstein was an F student in school, but it was because the curriculum was not challenging enough to engage him! Just something to think about for the future...
I have a third grade son as well. Gotta love the new attitude that he has been trying out...on my husband and I. He is very well behaved in school and we have always warned our kids that the minute they put their school work last, or disrespect their teachers or rules then the "fun" in their life is over. You have to pick your battles, but school is one that you ALWAYS have to win! He has to know that you are going to take this serious. Tell him that you are putting football off and you are going to give him a week to make a complete turnaround. Speak with his teacher at the end of next week and if she says that he has improved 100% then let him play football. If he hasn't, then take the equipment back to the store and tell him that he can sign up next year when he decides to take school more seriously. Believe me, I know that that is so hard to follow through with, but if you don't then he will know that school is not a priority and he will feel there is no need to correct his behavior. It's these kind of decisions that shape what his priorities will be in the future. Good luck! I know it's not easy :-)
IT is so hard for kids right now, mine can't wait to get out of school. Does he have any priveleges at home? Writing can be challenging for some kids, especially toward the end of school. Maybe you can brainstorm some things to write about at home and tell him when you choose to finish your biography and follow directions in class you may "have your priveleges back". For example, my kids can do their favorite things: play computer games; play video games; have playdates, etc., when they do their jobs and act responsibly. Check in with the teacher everyday to see what his progress is - praise the smallest bit of progress too. She can send a little note with a few words, "Good day", or "Excellent day" or didnt' follow directions, etc.
Well look at it from the teachers point if he is distracting its not one child but many that she has to keep telling pay attention. Does he have the same issues at home? Some of those things the teacher mentioned could be normal but still not acceptable within a classroom setting.
She told you upfront how much she enjoys having your son in her class. She was being truthful. She felt comfortable being truthful with you even when the truth was not as flattering.
Don't make excuses for bad behavior. Make your son be accountable with his behavior. Remember the teacher already adores your son she will admire you and him if the bad behavior is corrected instead of making excuses for it.
