Now that we've grouped eighth-grade subjects according to the learning skills each commands, let's look back and assess some of the grades earned by our three learners. The report cards that follow highlight the academic strengths and weaknesses that usually result from a child's inborn preference for particular types of stimulation. You'll see that subjects with a strong visual component are Kim-Lee's best, while Mark shines in classes that employ his auditory and verbal talents. Shawn gets a taste of school success, as well, by relying on outside support and by selecting his courses with care.
Table captionEIGHTH-GRADE REPORT CARDS FOR LOOKER KIM-LEE
|
First-Quarter Report |
End-of-Year Report |
||
|
Language Arts |
B |
Language Arts |
B+ |
|
Math |
A+ |
Math |
A |
|
Social Studies |
B+ |
Social Studies |
B |
|
Science |
B |
Science |
B |
|
Spanish |
B |
Spanish |
B+ |
|
Computers |
A+ |
Computers |
A+ |
|
Physical Education |
B |
Physical Education |
B |
|
Art |
A+ |
Art |
A+ |
As has always been the case, Kim-Lee's report cards are something of which she can be proud. It's almost a shame that, despite her consistent effort and methodical approach to school work, she receives an occasional B, but Kim-Lee labors over the reading of eighth-grade textbook material and has a bit of trouble with such Listener-oriented tasks as remembering new vocabulary. Fortunately, Kim-Lee's maps, time lines, charts, graphs, and other projects are so superior to those of her classmates that they offset any less-than-satisfactory test performances. And, there are no troublesome texts to hinder Kim-Lee's work in art, math, and computer classes.
Despite her difficulty with pronunciation, Kim-Lee loves her Spanish class. The beautifully decorated room makes Spanish history come alive, and Kim-Lee delights in her grasp of tricky Spanish vocabulary. Her visual skills stand our Looker in good stead when it comes to English spelling, capitalization, and punctuation, as well. As Kim-Lee gradually gains control over her class schedule during the coming years, she will most certainly select those elective courses that draw upon these same excellent Looker skills. In the meantime, Kim-Lee continues to expend such consistent effort in all classes that her beginning and end-of-year grades are very similar, and most of her grades are quite good.
EIGHTH-GRADE REPORT CARDS FOR LISTENER MARK
|
First-Quarter Report |
|
|
Language Arts |
B+ |
|
Math |
C |
|
Social Studies |
A- |
|
Science |
B |
|
French |
B+ |
|
Speech |
B+ |
|
Physical Education |
B |
|
Vocal Music |
A- |
|
End-of-Year Report Language Arts |
A |
|
Math |
C+ |
|
Social Studies |
A+ |
|
Science |
A |
|
French |
A |
|
Speech |
A |
|
Physical Education |
B |
|
Vocal Music |
B+ |
As in Kim-Lee's case, Mark's steady grades are a reflection of his consistently high-quality school work. He was somewhat disappointed with his first-quarter grades, but devoted more time to school work thereafter. This year, Mark elected to take vocal music and a speech course in place of art and computers. Both of his choices reflect his enjoyment of sound and language, and both replaced classes that highlighted one of his weaknesses—fine motor coordination. As always.
Mark earned B's in physical education. He's not extraordinarily agile, but his leadership skills are good, and he obviously enjoys the class so much that he receives above-average grades.
Mark still sees a math tutor on Sunday evenings, and more often when the need arises. The tutor, in turn, is in weekly contact with Mark's teacher, and provides the perfect link between Mark's rather shaky skills and any puzzling new class material. Mark was fascinated by this year's American history curriculum, and his interest is reflected in his high social studies grades. In fact, Mark became so interested in whaling that he made it the subject of a sophisticated twenty-page term paper, which his father typed and Mark "illustrated" with sketches photocopied from various books. Because his parents decline to do more than assist with research and typing, Mark didn't do quite as well on his science project, a homemade anemometer. Once the projects were out of the way, however, Mark went right back to earning his usual A's in science.
Table captionEIGHTH-GRADE REPORT CARDS FOR MOVER SHAWN
|
First-Quarter Report |
End-of-Year Report |
||
|
Language Arts |
C- |
Language Arts |
C |
|
Math |
C |
Math |
C |
|
Social Studies |
C |
Social Studies |
C- |
|
Science |
C+ |
Science |
B- |
|
Remedial Reading |
C+ |
Remedial Reading |
C |
|
Computers |
B- |
Computers |
B |
|
Physical Education |
A |
Physical Education |
A |
As always, Shawn achieves his best grades in subjects that require his active participation. Physical education, naturally, poses no problem at all. And, with the benefits of at-home practice and a teacher who doesn't push him beyond the most basic programs, Shawn also does well in his computer class. For years, the experimentation aspect of science has made this one of Shawn's best academic subjects, and eighth grade has been no different, particularly since the entry of the best students into an accelerated science program has minimized classroom competition. Earlier in the year, Shawn did find himself missing the art classes that had so long been a part of his school life, but he heard so much from fellow students about this year's addition of art history reading assignments that he now knows he made the right choice in dropping the course.
Remedial reading, enrollment in the slowest-paced classes, the extra work time afforded by study hall, and the occasional help of Shawn's older brother have combined to keep Shawn's language arts, math, and social studies grades in the "C" range. To Shawn's great relief, this has meant an end to his Resource Lab visits. Shawn had long been bothered by his need for special attention, and is now determined to make it a thing of the past.