• Is your child's homework completed and turned in on time? If not, find out what the classroom procedure is for noting assignments and packing materials to take home. Ask the teacher how you and your child can work together to eliminate homework problems.
• Does your child complete the bulk of his class work? If not, what factors seem to stand in his way? Ask the teacher if a seating change would help, or if there are ways to temporarily modify your child's workload so that he can experience some classroom success and develop a more positive attitude toward his school work.
• Does your child pay attention in class? If there is a problem, what does the teacher feel is the cause? Ask what he or she has done to rectify
136
How to Maximize Your Child's Learning Ability
the problem, and describe strategies that you have employed at home to keep your child's attention on the task at hand.
• What are your child's current reading and math levels? Even if your child has not taken standardized reading and math tests, the teacher should be able to estimate reading and math levels based on classroom performance. Ask whether the teacher feels that your child's progress accurately reflects his abilities.
• Does the teacher recommend any sort of professional intervention? Based on your child's classroom performance, does the teacher feel that a tutor, a psychological evaluation, or learning disability testing is necessary? If so, ask the teacher to explain the reasons for such a recommendation.
• On what level does your child participate in class discussions? Does your child volunteer information, or does he offer answers only when called upon? Can he verbalize satisfactorily when he has an idea to express? Is he a good listener when others have the floor? If not, ask the teacher what is being done to help the situation, and, if necessary, discuss other possible solutions.
• How does your child get along socially? Ask the teacher who your child's friends are, and if there is anyone who might make a particularly good weekend or after-school playmate. Find out whether your child is at the center of things, on the fringes, or more of a loner, and discuss your child's feelings about this standing. Also ask how your child treats his classmates.
• What can you do at home to help your child? Your child's teacher may have specific ideas about emotional or academic support that could hasten your child's growth or rectify an existing problem. Indicate your willingness to work together with the teacher for the benefit of your child.