Re: Grading question-- from a parent/ on one F

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On 10/12/11, Ben wrote:
> Getting an F in spelling does NOT make your son a stupid boy.

It does not but it can make a child feel as if they are stupid and
that I think is this parent's point. Getting an F even in one
subject can make a caring child feel as if they're stupid or have
done something wrong. Children can feel shame from an F.

And because children think like children and have the uncertain
self-esteem that comes with being a child, they don't naturally
bolster themself with thoughts like "Hey, I'm good at math." That
falls to the parent to do but there are many parents out there who
also feel shame when they see an F on their child's report card.
Child Abuse Hotlines light up at report card time and child abuse
sadly goes up at report card time. Some parents express their
shame as anger.

Nor do we send the message as teachers that 'one F is ok.' !
Children get grades in every subject on their report card and as
teachers we send the strong message that there should be no Fs on
that report card.

> Doesn't he do well in reading? What about writing stories or
> essays? What about his book reports? Social studies? Math?
> Science? Foreign language? If his only deficit is in spelling,
> then his overall grade can't possibly be an F!
>
> If your son were an 18 year old college student, or a 24 year
> old worker, would spelling matter? NO! He'd be typing
> everything, and use automatic spellcheck!
>
> If he gets an F in one part, then anyone who sees that will
> say "okay, he sucks at spelling, but since he does well at
> other things, we'll overlook it." But the problem is where
> they see D's, C's, and incompletes in everything.

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