Looking for writing help for 3rd grader

[SweetPea]

My ds is struggling with writing/grammar. He brings home graded writing assignments that the teacher hasn't marked errors yet is 60%....... I can see that he has made mistakes, but have no idea how she's calculating his grade. I have spoken with her and she is doesn't seem to see why I am talking to her??????? I have said ds needs to have errors pointed out so he can see what is wrong and perhaps giving him examples who to better word a sentence. Again a big blank look!!! Really, the worst part this is a private school (no we're not going back next year)

Any suggestions on what I can use to help with his writing - sentence structure, grammar, etc. I have been having him write for me and he does drafts until correct and present dh with final copy.

Thanks! Any suggestions would be appreciated because I'm at my wits end.

[mommycheryl]

I'm not sure that I have any advice, but I can sure sympathize. You could have been writing about my son. Also 3rd grade.

I just met with his teacher and left still feeling I didn't have a concrete idea of what to do. For him, some of the grading is spelling. We have to work with him on trying to spell the word himself. Correctly. He just doesn't seem to hear all the sounds or rushes through figuring it out. Making him figure out words on homework, suggesting the dictionary, etc are things she suggested.

At least for him, it didn't seem that composition, grammar, sentence structure was the thing she was counting wrong. If you can really try to pin her down, make her show you on the paper what it is that she is counting off. I mean, how else are you supposed to help him if the teacher can't identify what the errors are. (And if she can't point out why she marked it off, I would bring that up with your principal.)

HTH. HAng in there. Just the fact you are concerned and working with him will help him.

Cheryl

[mommycheryl]

I have said ds needs to have errors pointed out so he can see what is wrong and perhaps giving him examples who to better word a sentence. Again a big blank look!!!


I know I just replied, but I reread this. You really should take this to the principal. There is a problem when I teacher cannot explain why a child receives a C or D. You need that information to help him with this teacher. In other words, if you are fixing problems you see, but it doesn't concern her, she isn't likely to increase his grade. I really hate going over my teacher to the principal, but I would in this case.

Cheryl

[BabyBre]

Any suggestions on what I can use to help with his writing - sentence structure, grammar, etc. I have been having him write for me and he does drafts until correct and present dh with final copy.

Thanks! Any suggestions would be appreciated because I'm at my wits end.

Writing isn't my strong suit, but we've been very happy with First Language Lessons for grammar. It's quick, simple, and gentle (great for afterschooling), and the diagramming would probably be helpful in teaching sentence structure.