Homework Issues

If you haven't already speak to his teacher about your concerns and what you & the teacher can do to help him with his organizational skills. I would recommend getting a daily planner (an assignment book). That way he has a place to write down his assignments. If needed you can request that his teacher sign his assignment book, noting that he has written down his assignments. Then you can sign it, noting that he has completed his assignments. Go through his assignments before you leave the parking lot at school. That way he will have the opportunity to go back and get the things he needs if he has forgotten them. :)

D.
www.myfamilymyfuture.com

From personal experience,I know what you are talking about.I have a very bright child also that was doing the same types of things you talk about.When my son's workload increased and he started changing classes he did the very same things you describe.I let it go for 2 years while his grades continued to plummet.Our case is probably the extreme but worth looking into.As it turns out,he has Aspergers Syndrome which along with that came learning differences.His organization skills were terrible.I bought binders and folders etc to help him but it never worked.After testing,we found out that it was more extensive than just the organizing.He wasn't able to look at an assignment on the board,transfer it to his assignment book in the time it took all the other kids to do so.Sylvan has a great organization skills program that really worked for him.Don't mean to infere that your child may have something like mine but I think having him tested for how he learns best and also having a professional working on things that he probably doesn't want to hear again from a parent may help.

you are simply going to have to set back and let him suffer the consequenses. take away all of the fun things he really enjoys.then as he improves return some of them. make him work for what he recieves.talk to his counsleors.

This is just part of having a gifted child. They are very disorganized and often get misdiagnosed with ADD. There is a difference between gifted and academically tallented children. Gifted children get it and they don't understand why they have to work on it! I would ground him (No going anywhere after school or on weekends) until progress reports come out and he proves at least a B. Good luck, just give him the skills he needs to succeed. Maybe a PDA will work better than an assignment book because it would be fun for him to write his assignments in. You can get an older one for pretty cheap. Good luck!

I taught for 15 years. I wrote assignments on the board for all my classes and students were welcome to come, with their teacher's permission, to check assignments on the board prior to dismissal or after school. What about a homework folder? All homework goes in the folder in the evening, no putting in books, etc. If he can keep up with the folder until class the next day, the work should be in it. Have him put the work in order of class, first period on top, etc. It will save him time digging. Let him pick out his folder. If he likes it, he's more likely to keep up with it. Have you tried an assignment book where he writes down all his assignments? Maybe the teachers would be willing to check what he's writtten down before he leaves at the end of the day to get him started? If he's missing something, they tell him to double check. He's only, what, ten? Switching classes can really throw kids off. Also, if you do the assignment book, make him check it before you leave school. You know, if he has a geography assignment, does he have his colors, etc. If not, escort him back to school and have him ask the teacher if he can get what he needs. As for consequences, maybe, start losing computer time, etc. Whatever is really important to him. Don't let him lose so much though that he feels it's hopeless. Finally, possibly, a duplicate set of supplies at home so he has what he needs, no excuses. I know how frustrating it is when they're capable. Good luck.

You might want to check out a student control journal. http://www.flylady.net/images/student_CJ.pdf. Parents on the Web site rave about it.

What comes to my mind is "why".....have you asked him when you are not upset why this is happening? I know of one parent who found out their child was not turning in work because it was not 'cool' to get good grades. There could easily be a problem especially if it is mainly in one class. As to punishment for not getting A's, I would not...kids should be encouraged to do their best and 'best' varies. There is usually a reason for such abrupt changes and you need to find out what it is.......there could even be a medical reason.....ask him, ask his teacher, then go from there..........good luck!

B.

I taught 4th grade for a number of years before staying home. The first thing I would suggest is if he doesn't already have an assignment book to get one and you will have to show him how to use it. Obviously, this is where he must write down assignments and projects. Next, I would definitely request a conference with his teachers. Just because this is a college prep elementary doesn't mean that kids don't struggle and that you have to do it all by yourself. Having a conference shows the teacher that you are most definitely wanting your child to do his best. The teacher may collect homework differently than he is used to (i.e. the student is responsible for putting it in a tray automatically). By meeting with the teacher(s) perhaps you all may be able to brainstorm some ways to help him get organized. BTW-this is not an uncommon 4th grade behavior. There is a HUGE difference between 3rd grade expectations and 4th grade ones. Much of the responsibility shifts from the teacher to the student as far as getting things turned in and remembering assignments. Our students had to have their assignment books initialed by parents every day (and I checked). It is really important that you check that book and whatever type of communication folder comes home. I am sure you already do this, but a lot of parents don't. Another suggestion would be to sit down with your son and discuss what is going on in school. Ask him: what he likes, how he feels it is going, what's going well/not so well, what does he need help with to be successful. If he doesn't already have a "special homework area" at home set one up. It could be part of the dining room table or a special desk for him. At this area should be school supplies, a dictionary, a little lamp and anything else that he would need. Let him help you organize it by talking with him by saying things like, "What do you think you will need to do your homework?" and things like that. Then together gather those supplies OR have him write a list for you to take to the store. This shows everyday organization to him. Have a special folder where the homework goes at night and pack the backpack before bed. Then, the next morning all is ready to go and the homework is in one place. Most kids don't know how to organize themselves (doesn't matter what their academic abilities are) because for so long there was no need to be organized.

As far as proper punishment--I would first try to get to the heart of the matter and talk with your son and meet with the teachers. Ask yourself, is he involved in too many extra curricular activities?? If so, cut back and choose one that is really important to him. Explain to him why this is being done and if school starts to improve and he is able to fulfill his school responsibilities than you can add another with the stipulation that if schoolwork falls off so does the activity added. And sometimes a failing grade is punishment enough for a student used to getting all A's. And remember 4th grade is harder so maybe getting some B's is not the end of the world. One other thing I just thought of--do the teachers have web sites?? If so, they may post homework and projects there. The district I worked in used this communication tool and it definitely helped the parents with this exact issue. If they do have a web site--then sit down with your son to go over the tasks. Have him transcribe a list of due dates to keep at his homework place and together check it every day. After you start to do this together awhile he is going to want to do it himself and it should become a habit for him. However, that does not mean that you still don't stay involved. If the teacher doesn't have a site, then maybe you can request that an email be sent to you at the beginning of the week with assignments and projects with due dates. If this is a college prep school the teachers should be organized at least a week ahead of time. Of course, things change during the week, but you will have a general idea of what is going on. Again, this type of request works best when conferencing with the teacher (in person) and brainstorming ideas for all of you to help him be successful. If this is the case, still sit down with him Monday after school and go through the email. If you are including him and seeking his help/input, it should not become nagging.

I am sorrry that my response was so long, but having seen this A LOT I wanted to give you some ideas that parents and I had come up with in the past.