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Burger Junior High School

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How to Help Your Child Get Better Grades

HOW TO HELP YOUR CHILD GET BETTER GRADES

One of the first things we think of when we think of school is the report card. Report cards are a great tool for both parents and students especially when it comes to narrowing down areas in need of improvement. However, a number grade doesn’t tell us what steps to take to help improve the situation. Here are a few tips from “How To Get Good Grades.” by Woodburn Press. Hopefully, one or more of these ideas will help get your son/daughter back on track.

»Be interested: Make sure your children know that their academic progress is important to you. Know when report cards and progress reports are expected to arrive.

»Discuss classes and set goals: Sit with your child at the beginning of each marking period and set realistic academic goals. Your child will understand your expectations and having goals will give the child something to work toward. Throughout the term recognize effort and improvement. Acknowledge all academic successes no matter how small. At the end of each term you can set up “rewards” and/or “consequences.”

»Offer to help: Offer to help with homework and projects, but don’t give more help than is wanted. Your child may not ask again. Keep in mind that it is your child’s responsibility to be organized, to get homework done, and to prepare for tests.

»Listen: Talk to your child about what is occurring in school.

»Encourage involvement: Students who are involved in school related activities enjoy school more, and they generally have greater academic success.

»Monitor activities and jobs: Make sure your child is not spending too much time watching T.V., playing computer games, “surfing the net,” talking on the phone, or instant messaging.

»Avoid the following don’ts:

  • Don’t nag about school or grades. Your child will tune you out.
  • Don’t allow your child to miss school unless he/she is very ill. You will send a message that school isn’t important.
  • Don’t criticize a teacher in front of your child. Your child will only lose respect for the teacher.
  • Don’t have expectations that are unrealistic. Knowing he/she will never be able to meet them, your child may decide to not even try.
»Work with the school: Know that teachers, counselors, and principals are there to help your child get the best education possible. A health problem, a death in the family, or a divorce can affect your child’s attitude and /or performance in school. If a situation such as this should come up contact the school, and let them know what could be affecting your child’s performance.