As a parent, how would you take this comment?

Date: 4/29/2009 12:06:24 PM
Author: Maisie
I think it would sound better without the first comment. The parents probably already know their child doesn't get great grades but reading your classroom observations will reassure them that the child is trying their hardest to join in and contribute.

Date: 4/29/2009 12:01:49 PM
Author:Sabine
I'm trying to write a commendation for a student in my class. It is an honors class, and she has an 88%, which is lower than a lot of the students, but she is cooperative, she participates more than other students, and she thinks about things in a new way and is willing to share her ideas whether they are right or wrong. This is what I wrote, I just want to make sure a parent would not take it the wrong way:

'L may not have the highest grade in the class, but she is willing to share her ideas and often thinks about the classwork in a creative and innovative way. I really appreciate her willingness to participate. It has been a pleasure having her in class.'

I could just take the first line out, but I thought the parents might find it odd for a student with her grade to get a commendation. What do you think?

Date: 4/29/2009 12:01:49 PM
Author:Sabine
I'm trying to write a commendation for a student in my class. It is an honors class, and she has an 88%, which is lower than a lot of the students, but she is cooperative, she participates more than other students, and she thinks about things in a new way and is willing to share her ideas whether they are right or wrong. This is what I wrote, I just want to make sure a parent would not take it the wrong way:


'L may not have the highest grade in the class, but she is willing to share her ideas and often thinks about the classwork in a creative and innovative way. I really appreciate her willingness to participate. It has been a pleasure having her in class.'


I could just take the first line out, but I thought the parents might find it odd for a student with her grade to get a commendation. What do you think?

Date: 4/29/2009 1:03:10 PM
Author: Tacori E-ring


Maybe put the negative comment in the center.
'L is willing to share her ideas and often thinks about the classwork in a creative and innovative way. She may not have the highest grade in the class, but I really appreciate her willingness to participate. It has been a pleasure having her in class.'

Date: 4/29/2009 1:03:10 PM
Author: Tacori E-ring



Maybe put the negative comment in the center.

'L is willing to share her ideas and often thinks about the classwork in a creative and innovative way. She may not have the highest grade in the class, but I really appreciate her willingness to participate. It has been a pleasure having her in class.'

Date: 4/29/2009 1:16:43 PM
Author: jet2ks
The former teacher in me says--Never, ever compare one student's grade to another, even if you aren't giving specific scores. By stating that 'doesn't have the highest grade in the class', that can be seen as comparing one child to someone else and can easily be misconstrued by parents or the student. Let L's grade and participation stand on its own merit.


L is a pleasure to have in class. She is very willing to share her ideas and is very creative and innovative in her approach to classwork. The one thing that would most help her in the future is to _________________ (fill in the blank with whatever is keeping her grade down)


Isn't a sad commentary when we see a B as a 'poor' grade. It shows above average comprehension and in an HONORS class, no less.

Date: 4/29/2009 12:30:59 PM
Author: fleur-de-lis
'(As a tweak to think about, does changing the second sentence to, 'Her participation and contributions to class discussions are exemplary,' fit more closely with the goals of letting the parents know of their daughter's strengths and reaffirming the student's achievements because her scores on written tests are only part of the bigger picture?)

Date: 4/29/2009 3:11:38 PM
Author: Sabine
Thanks all, I ended up starting with the positive, and changing the grade comment to something like, although her grade could be brought up if she paid more attention to the specific requirements of assignments, so that she and parents would know what she could do to improve, and then ended on another positive.

Date: 4/29/2009 5:37:55 PM
Author: decodelighted


Great modification ... I was struggling with a way to encourage her *potential* for higher grades, but by the time I read further, you'd already found the perfect way! Much more specific & achieves the message you want to send w/o risk of complacency or misunderstanding. Bravo!