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#1
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7th grade woes
My 12 year old is getting poor grades in school because she doesn't turn in
her homework (class work and tests are fine). The homework organization has been an issue since forever, and we've tried everything. Any suggestions? |
#2
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7th grade woes
"The Keatings" wrote:
My 12 year old is getting poor grades in school because she doesn't turn in her homework (class work and tests are fine). The homework organization has been an issue since forever, and we've tried everything. Any suggestions? In our school district, and maybe in our entire state, there's a required class for seventh graders where these skills are taught as part of the curriculum. The students must purchase a standard planning book, and all the teachers are aware that this is part of the program. My own kids didn't go through this, and I'm not sure how much it helps, but maybe having eveyone expected to take out a notebook and write down assignments can make a difference. If I were in this situation, I think what I would do first would be to ask my daughter what possible solutions she can think of, pick one, and do everything in your power to support her in it. Maybe it could be a special (nicely decorated!) folder to put assignment sheets in. Maybe it could be pens in cool colors to write things on her arms. I'm sure you've thought of weekly and monthly rewards for success, but the ways to track that success have to be agreeable to her. Sorry I don't have a better magic wand to wave at this one. Peggy -- ....it's always better to find humility before it goes out looking for you. -- Carolyn Hax |
#3
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7th grade woes
The Keatings wrote:
My 12 year old is getting poor grades in school because she doesn't turn in her homework (class work and tests are fine). The homework organization has been an issue since forever, and we've tried everything. Any suggestions? My daughter is only in 3rd grade but it's also an issue. The school provides each child with a planner and the child is suppose to write down all his/her assignments as well as due dates. This is usually a good tool but DD has spelling problems so it's difficult to decipher her assignments. She also has a plain folder that has two sides: one marked "keep at home" and the other marked "return to school". In theory, she puts returned homework and tests in the "keep at home" half and homework to be done in the "return to school" half. In practice, everything is scrambled. When she gets home, we immediately go through the folder, we sort through the papers and put away graded homework and tests. What's left is homework to be done. She has to do the homework right then. We've found waiting means she forgets (and so do I). Recently, we've set up an incentive system. If she completes her homework and gets an acceptable grade on them (check or check plus), she gets one point. If she forgets and gets "2nd notice" on them, one point is deducted. She also gets points for test grades (one point for A or B; minus one point for C; minus two points for D). She gets things she wants with the points she accumulates. The other thing we found that helps is she works on our kitchen table that's been converted to a desk for her use alone. She must keep that surface absolutely clean. No lunchbox. No backpack. No toys. No crafts. Nothing except a pencil holder, school books, dictionary and a lamp. This seems simple but it demands discipline (actually for the entire family). Obviously your child is older so you may not be so hands-on (I don't know - I don't have a 7th grader). I'm hoping that by the time DD is in 7th grade, she'll only need gentle reminders (I have a feeling that may not be the case). Jeanne |
#4
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7th grade woes
The Keatings wrote:
My 12 year old is getting poor grades in school because she doesn't turn in her homework (class work and tests are fine). The homework organization has been an issue since forever, and we've tried everything. Any suggestions? This is such a YMMV thing. My DD (7th grade), for example, is very self-motivated, and routinely gets her work done in school, or at home days or weeks before it's due. DS (4th grade), on the other hand, requires considerable oversight, far more than DD ever did in 4th grade. So the question becomes: how much do you want to be involved in your kid's homework. It sounds like for your 12-yo you need to ride herd very hard. At our house, this would mean no socializing, no screentime, no sports until homework is done. It would mean parents keeping track of homework due-dates, which in Middle School can be a royal pain. In the context of the question, what does 'Tried Everything' mean? When I hear that, I envision a child who has learned to outwait the parent Our DS is very good at that. One last thing that might be occurring, although since this has been an issue forever and you've tried everything, likely not: what's going on at school? Does she have normal social interaction for a 7th grader? Does she like her teachers? I would say "no" answers to those might mean there's a bigger problem than poor organizational skills. Scott DD 12 and DS 9 |
#5
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I wish we'd had that information in 7th grade when the school insisted she drop her drama class [the only thing she was getting an A in] and in its place have a study hall in which she did almost nothing. I was willing to object to that, but she didn't want us making a big deal out of it. Tom [DD 26 BA in Theatre Arts, DS 29 video game tester] |
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