Chapter 15 comments...Ingrid's test scores

Ingrid's test scores are quite good in certain subjects and focusing on the positive is the way that I would approach her grandmother.  I would start out by telling her that Ingrid is doing quite well in two difficult subjects and should be recognized for doing so.  I would also reinforce that positive reinforcement is the best approach to a problem.  Reminding Ingrid that she is more than competent in  science and reading comprehension is big plus.  These are difficult subjects and not to be overlooked.  I would for sure bring up Ingrid's in class  habits whether positive or negative and show the grandmother that Ingrid is on my radar and being monitored.  I would do this to demonstrate to the grandmother that Ingrid and Ingrid's mastery of our content are important to me as well as her.

Ingrid's strengths lie in read subject matter.  The reading comprehension capabilities are can be visibly seen in the good scores in science and social studies where the effects of such comprehension can be visibly detected.  Her weaknesses lie in material where repetition and memorization are needed.  Math and spelling are subjects where the mind will take up and store the information usually from repetition and memorization, honestly just hard work.  These are subjects where the grandmother can go over spelling words 6 or 8 words a night and not be so overwhelmed with them at the end of the week.  Math homework is best done early in the evening before Ingrid gets too tired from the days activities and with limited distractions.  One additional tool to peak the math interests can be to ask Ingrid number questions while driving down the road or just sitting in the house and encourage her when she is buying into the numbers. 

If these ideas do not work the grandmother needs to come back and we will try something else and above all be positive about the whole experience.