Chapter 15 - Ingrid Scores

When I looked at Ingrid’s tests scores I observed the layout of the scores and the way in which they presented the results. In the book they note how the numbers are spaced out and final scores can range from average to an over-extreme or under-extreme. From my perspective I believe that Ingrid is an average twelve year old. There are areas in which she is well above average, while still having other areas that she is still finding to understand the concept. However, she outweighs her weaknesses with strengths. She performed above average in reading comprehension, science, and social studies. Her lowest scores were in spelling and math computation. If I were to meet with Ingrid’s grandmother I would explain to her that these standardized tests are one way to assess children’s learning, and they don’t always accurately represent the child’s learning. However, it is still important that we address these areas now rather than later when they can become alarming. A strategy that has been proven to help children improve in school is having a parent that spends quality academic time with their child. This can be done in different ways. Ingrid’s grandmother could help Ingrid with her homework at night, offering help in math or spelling. Challenging her in a way that she feels motivated to learn. By giving Ingrid the accessibility to ask her grandmother questions about terms or concepts she doesn’t understand in the classroom, she is able to learn from a different perspective. This will strengthen Ingrid in her academic performance. A suggestion to help improve her spelling would be to expand her reading interests. Taking trips to the library to get books that are age appropriate and interesting, Ingrid will be motivated. By having Ingrid read more books that interest her she is expanding her vocabulary as well as her spelling. Her grandmother could also create interactive spelling games that they play together. Simple word games like scrabble or using index cards to create words might be useful for Ingrid because she is creating a concrete connection and will be able to retain what she is learning. My suggestion for math computation would be the same. Having interactive games at home, help children retain what they are learning. I would use pennies or leggo blocks as visual mediators that could help Ingrid grasp math concept more easily.