? do I just leave it alone...Or address it...

[cadillactaste]

Cole had homework for when he was sick...And on the bottom of the three papers that were stapled together...Were questions like...

What do you ride to school? Bus

Name your favorite boat? Submarine

Name another type of flying machine? hot air balloon

The answers I typed in red...They were all marked WRONG! I guess he was to write sentences...BUT NO WHERE does it say to do so for that part of the paper... He brought home an S-...Do I just overlook it or go tell the teacher that it didn't say sentences...So how can she mark it wrong when it was done at home and I gave him the information as how to do it... Or leave it alone and just keep my mouth shut...

[Onslow]

I'd let it go, Darlene.  I hear the exasperation in your voice, though.  I understand how frustrated you may feel.    It is, however, a general "given" that any and all written responses are to appear as complete sentences (and the students know this).  You might tell the teacher YOU didn't understand and ask if Cole can have a crack at writing out the sentences... I'm sorry you had a misunderstanding.  Trust me, if this teacher sees how serious you are about helping your son she'll do everything possible to ensure his success.

[lubbincarl&gerty]

if it were me, darlene, i think i would go to the teacher and say that you helped with the homework and were concerned that you had misread something - so can you get things straight in case something like this happens again?  and possibly make a joke about you not being able to figure out directions of a kid's homework, are you smarter than a 5th grader, something like that.

[thurskay]

I'm not a teacher, so I really have no right giving my input, but I'm curious. Were there instructions at the top such as "Write answers to the following questions." I know you said it doesn't say anything about having to write in full sentences, but I'm just wondering.

If it's something that is really bothering you, and he asked you what to do and you instructed him to complete the sentences, maybe you could ask the teacher if he could do a re-do for a higher grade (not a full one, but at least maybe one better than an S-).

[Gracie & Bea's Mom]

Speaking as a teacher (17 years in first grade, 2years in second grade), if the directions don't say, "Use complete sentences" then it's the teacher's fault for not being clear.  I would have given your son credit but marked at the top of the paper, "Use complete sentences".

On your other issue of your son's online progress report, I would certainly make an appointment to disucss it with the teacher. Let the teacher know WHY you want the appointment so that she can be prepared to discuss the issue instead of just springing it on her.   From my own experience, I know that I don't always update my gradebook right away.  I usually wait until after the weekend and all incomplete work is turned it.  (I send home incomplete work on Fridays and they have until Monday to complete it and turn it in to receive credit.)  Even then, it takes me a day or two to actually update and upload the gradebook.

Hope this helps,
Mary

P.S.  If you go in all pissy, you will just make the teacher pissy.  If you go in saying, "I'm a little bit confused/concerned" the teacher is more than likely willing to admit the error and fix it ASAP.  Teachers are human, despite what the public thinks!

[tamifide]

Boy, grades have sure changed since I got out of school. What the deuce is an S-?  

I'd probably do as Lindsay suggested and ask about the instructions in a joking way. Then perhaps ask if he can redo for a little extra credit or just suggest that she include instructions with these types of homework assignments for the sake of the parents.

This reminded me of a time I was sick in 3rd grade, and my sister brought home my homework. One of the things I had to do was alphabetize words. The instructions said something like "Please alphabetize the following lists," but I guess I just read "Please alphabetize the following list." The words were in groups of 3, and you only had to alphabetize each group of 3, but I alphabetized THE WHOLE WORKSHEET   It was really hard, and then I got an F for not following instructions, and the teacher brought that up as one of my weaknesses in parent teacher conferences  

Funny how you remember little things like that, isn't it?

[Onslow]

An "S" stands for "satisfactory" and an "S-" is a little less than fully satisfactory.  It's kind of like getting a C-

[cadillactaste]

Speaking as a teacher (17 years in first grade, 2years in second grade), if the directions don't say, "Use complete sentences" then it's the teacher's fault for not being clear.  I would have given your son credit but marked at the top of the paper, "Use complete sentences".

On your other issue of your son's online progress report, I would certainly make an appointment to disucss it with the teacher. Let the teacher know WHY you want the appointment so that she can be prepared to discuss the issue instead of just springing it on her.   From my own experience, I know that I don't always update my gradebook right away.  I usually wait until after the weekend and all incomplete work is turned it.  (I send home incomplete work on Fridays and they have until Monday to complete it and turn it in to receive credit.)  Even then, it takes me a day or two to actually update and upload the gradebook.

Hope this helps,
Mary

P.S.  If you go in all pissy, you will just make the teacher pissy.  If you go in saying, "I'm a little bit confused/concerned" the teacher is more than likely willing to admit the error and fix it ASAP.  Teachers are human, despite what the public thinks!

For my youngest son...I feel bad that it was I whom told him the wrong information...I actually thought for a split second...I wonder if it's to be sentences...Then read the paper again and seen no instruction to do so. (So I just feel horrible that my "Straight A" son gets a bad grade due to my ignorance)... She marked above where she marked them wrong incomplete sentences... I had my son do this during Parent Teacher's conferance...So he only listened to my directions before my going in to talk with his teacher.

An "S" stands for "satisfactory" and an "S-" is a little less than fully satisfactory.  It's kind of like getting a C-

Now I really feel bad...my straight A student with a C- And it's MY fault...

Thanks Mary for the tip of sending a letter asking for a time to meet with them. I'll do that and send it with him tomorrow~

My MIL on the other hand said I need to drop the S- issue and leave it...After all he's a straight A student one S- can't hurt him...I am so on a teater totter here...

[bella-baby]

I don't think that it would hurt to mention "your mistake" she may be more than willing to let him fix it. I agree with the above, if you put the mistake on yourself she may be more accepting.

Good luck!

[cadillactaste]

I don't think that it would hurt to mention "your mistake" she may be more than willing to let him fix it. I agree with the above, if you put the mistake on yourself she may be more accepting.

Good luck!

Tammy...That's exactly what I did this morning...First off I took Cole to his classroom this morning. And handed in the coloring pamphlet that he refused to color during his free time. (Though I feel she should maybe not call it free time since he takes her literally...I kept my mouth shut) I gave her the pamphlet and explained that it was completed...And that Cole had also been grounded due to his telling her he didn't feel like it when she prompted him to color. And she seemed impressed by that...I also told her I doubt he would be doing that any longer...For we had a long talk...And also with his being grounded...I think it sunk in that he's to do work if you suggest it to him. And that bringing them home would not just be acceptable...Unless it was indeed homework.

With that said she said he's not given her any trouble since then...So it must have worked...That is when I pulled out the other paper...And explained I felt bad that he'd missed the ones stating they weren't complete sentences...That I had instructed him to do so...She was like..."Well I had explained to him they were to be complete sentences." I was like..."Oh well he hadn't explained you went over his papers with him" And she said...I went over with the entire class that Tuesday... she explained...And I was like..."Oh...Well that explains it then for he was absent on that day as well"...She was like..."Oh I hadn't realised he didn't hear the directions that day. And she asked me for his paper so she could have him correct the paper with sentences.

I also asked "her" policy for absent papers and when they were due back to class. I told her the reason I told him to just write the word instead of a sentence was due to it being 7:30 and him writing so many sentences with his spelling words and the train sentences and such...That it was so late...And it didn't specifically state sentences...Though that it had crossed my mind that it might of needed sentences...It was just so late...And I didn't read where it stated sentences. Thus when it asked...What do you ride to school? Bus is the answer I told him to put down...

She said...She thought it odd that I had all the papers complete the next day...(I explained to her that Mrs.Johnson my oldest son's first grade teacher had specifically stated they were to be in the next day...That I had thought it was school policy) This is when she said...No this is only first grade. I don't expect that of them in my class...That she only expects two papers done a night until the works finally in...And not to Cram them in all in one night.

So I think...My "stressing" really over the several ABSENT/F/Not turned in... papers my older son has in several of his classes(During the time he was out sick) had me over reacting to any and all school related issues...

I got Cole's teacher a "Thank You" card...For her allowing Cole to correct "my" giving him the wrong directions...And for her being so kind to explain what she expects with children getting their make up papers back to her...

I really think my older son's issues with being absent and F's put during the week he was sick and at home...Had me so flustered that I couldn't see straight...Cole's teacher really is a sweet teacher...No she don't see where a child should differ with her projects...And that's an issue Cole will have to learn to deal with. For when he's an adult...He's not going to be able to argue with his boss...

I do think it's sad though...Where his last teacher left their artistic creativity come to play with such a turkey project...And they could decorate it how ever they wished...(They were sent home with the project to do and bring back.) I had explained to the teacher I couldn't get him to glue anything on the turkey due to his thinking the turkey's detail's in just the black ink it was outlined in and such the tail feathers...Would be covered up. I think that might also be why he was so adamant about not gluing them. Since he knew last year the teacher understood why he couldn't...He felt this teacher should understand like Mrs. Barto had... Though last year there were some really creative turkeys...Some used colored pasta...Others used fake gemstones...Some used real feathers and instant coffee...It was a pretty display of all these original ideas...Where as this year...I looked back at the class of all these fruit loop turkeys and think...Not one really stands out from the next...But their her project...And that's exactly the way she wanted it...And she IS the teacher...

I am feeling much better that she allowed him to correct my wrong directions on his paper...Where as Art as a grade isn't what keeps a child on the straight A list I don't believe...But they go on actual academics...And where it counted I was able to change that S- with her allowing him to correct it... ...

[bella-baby]

That's great Darlene!   Glad she was willing to work with you!

[thurskay]

That's terrific Darlene! She sounds like a great teacher who is willing to work with students/parents, which is very important!

I'm sure Cole is thrilled that he can redeem his grade.

[Gummis Dad]

Kudos for being a good mom and keeping on top of things

[dutchess]

Kudos for being a good mom and keeping on top of things

My thought exactly--How you look in your son's eyes is most important.  I thinks it wonderful that you cleared up everything--he knows he can come to you, always.  Also--it shows we all make mistakes and for the most part, diplomacy works, at least in the first grade

[cadillactaste]

That's terrific Darlene! She sounds like a great teacher who is willing to work with students/parents, which is very important!

I'm sure Cole is thrilled that he can redeem his grade.

She really is a GREAT teacher...I actually "requested" Cole to be in her classroom...This little bump in the road...I think with what was going on in my other son's classes...Caused me to over react to this situation...She's a great teacher...She was so understanding when she learned that I had given him the wrong directions...I don't know what I was expecting. She so deserves a card to thank her for how she explained her make up work policy...And for seeing my blunder and allowing Cole to correct his paper.

Kudos for being a good mom and keeping on top of things

My mother was NEVER into school issues. I recall actually trying to get her attention with getting F's...She never once made a big deal over it...Which really was upsetting. For children want to know that their parents do care...Even when we punish them we show them love in doing so...

Kudos for being a good mom and keeping on top of things

My thought exactly--How you look in your son's eyes is most important.  I thinks it wonderful that you cleared up everything--he knows he can come to you, always.  Also--it shows we all make mistakes and for the most part, diplomacy works, at least in the first grade

Thanks~ :-*It feels good too. I would like to hope he feels he can come to me...Always...And...As for showing we all make mistakes...I am TOTALLY alway on it when I find I had done something wrong...And learn later of it to go say "I'm sorry"...Or "I was wrong about____ please forgive me". I think all parents need to apologise to their children when they have been in the wrong. It shows the children a lot. But also it shows them they are respected and worthy an apology even from a grown up.  (I recall as a child...When my mother would NEVER say she was sorry. Even when she learned she was in the wrong. I swore that I would never do that to my children. And I don't~) I actually had over heard my son talking with his friend...And his friend was upset due to his parents learning that indeed they were wrong about a situation.And not coming to him and telling him they were sorry... And my son said...I am sorry about that...It makes me sad that your mom and dad can't say their sorry they were wrong...My mom and even my dad will come to me and say...They were wrong about something...And even apologise...I guess I never thought about them not doing that before.  But it would hurt...

 I so wished to speak with the kids parents on that level...But didn't want to make it harder on the child. Later though...I made a point to make some little thing more than it needed...And told my son in front of this child's mother at school...That I was sorry about it. And asked him to forgive me...She looked at me like I grew two more heads...I don't think it made an impression on her one bit... ...But maybe next time when she finds herself in the wrong...She'll recall the look upon my son's face when he got that apology. And see that it meant something to him...And possibly use it in her dealings with her own child...(So I would like to hope)