Any Secondary Avhool Teachers Out There?

[rockyracoon]

My daughter who just started year 7 has always done well at school, she seems to be doing very well in her subjects but has a little critic in her head telling her it's not good enough when she doesn't get an anticipated grade.

She left year 6 with a 5a in English but recent exams gained her a 4a, she is quite dustraught, out of all the subjects this is one that she usually excels at, apparently the reading was excellent but the written let her down.

The class did the exam before my dughter as they took it on the day we had snow here and she couldn't get into school so she had to sit it at a later date on her own, I think this may have factored in a bit.

I've told her to go and see her English teacher to ask exactly where she went wrong and where she can improve but she is really reluctant to do so, she feels she'll be an aggravation or worse get told off.

I hate seeing her like this, she's far too serious and should be worrying a bit less, do you think I should write into the teacher to ask her to have a word?

[rockyracoon]

That's what I'm worried about Karen, she can shut down when she's overstressed, she had an awful time in year 6 and nearly ended up having counselling. Her future education bothers me as the work undoubtedly gets harder and she'll pile more pressure on herself. Think I'll take her out for the day and have a chat.

Thank all, I appreciate being able to come on here and sound off a bit.

[MASS1961]

I tried to take all pressure away from my daughter when she started talking grades etc.
We talked and I said I have 2 charts, the one on the left are your grades (forget that one).
The one on the right is the chart that shows how hard you are trying. Try your best at everything you do and the chart on the left will sort itself out. She starts college next year with expected grades far better than she thought she would get. She has worked so hard, I'm so proud of her.

[rockyracoon]

That could be a plan Massi, how did you record effort?

[MASS1961]

rocky,

nothing formal, just encouragement and picking up on improvements because she had put the extra effort. Each report and parent's evening always showed a slight improvement from the last.
She left the house each day with us saying "Do Your Best"

[MASS1961]

Also NEVER said we expect A's or top set results

[rockyracoon]

Thanks Mass, we've always gone down the 'do you best' route, but this child seems to translate that as 'be the best in your year group or else'

Kids, who'd have em?

[MASS1961]

Also used to say to her that if everybody was the same and all were 'top of the class', what a boring world this would be.
You are not too good at sport (she's not but tries) but excellent at music, I'll bet the best sportsman in your class can't play the clarinet as well as you do?

Everything is new for you daughter, only 1 term in big school, I'm sure by Easter it will start to settle down.

Best of luck to her.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

[rockyracoon]

Thank you Mass, merry Christmas to you too.