No summer school for students who failed class(es) (Somersworth: health insurance, public school)

[aswasw]

Originally Posted by buck naked

You have to tell him that "why" is because you are trying to prepare him for life. If he keeps up with the failing classes and the attitude, he will not graduate from HS. He may be able to get a GED eventually, (after he turns 16).

Kids don't understand that they are considered an adult at 18. They must be prepared to support themselves by that time. It is not the law that they HAVE to go to college. In this case, if he is unable to complete middle school, college is most likely out of the question. So....what next? Military? Nope. They have become exclusive and will not take anyone with less than a B average. Failing? Fugedaboudit.......

You don't know how often I tell him the importance of an education is, I sound like a broken record. My son says nothing, he does not rebut.

[east2westagain]

Originally Posted by aswasw

It looks like he's failed English and Social Studies.

That's such a shame! Those were my favorites. I don't have any kids, but from what I remember of middle school/junior high social studies it was all about the American Revolution and Civil War. If you can't get a tutor, maybe you could give him an overview this summer in a way that would be interesting to him. I loved the Freedom Trail in Boston when I was his age - seeing Paul Revere's home makes the history come alive.

Here are some movies that he would probably like:
Last of the Mohicans (French & Indian War)
The Patriot (American Revolution)
Glory (Civil War)
Cold Mountain (Civil War)

This is the perfect time to give him an overview of the government because we're in an election year. I'm sure he's heard about the candidates - just explain what's going on and how the process works.

Here are a few fun overviews for history and geography.
The Presidents:

Animaniacs - Presidents - YouTube
State Capitals:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSvJ9SN8THE
Countries of the World:

animaniacs - Countries of the world - YouTube

I can't remember what we did in English class besides vocabulary and basic writing. I don't think I learned how to write a proper essay until high school... The best thing would be to have him read a book over the summer. Hunger Games was awesome. It might get him interested enough to read the whole series.

I know we had to learn/recite poetry too. Edgar Allen Poe was always a favorite because he's so creepy. Here's his poem The Raven on The Simpsons. I know my brother used to watch it all the time and he was definitely not a fan of English class: The Simpsons - The Raven on siili's Videos - Buzznet

These are just a few suggestions (I know this isn't the best solution), but it would probably be better than nothing.

[aswasw]

Originally Posted by east2westagain

That's such a shame! Those were my favorites. I don't have any kids, but from what I remember of middle school/junior high social studies it was all about the American Revolution and Civil War. If you can't get a tutor, maybe you could give him an overview this summer in a way that would be interesting to him. I loved the Freedom Trail in Boston when I was his age - seeing Paul Revere's home makes the history come alive.

Here are some movies that he would probably like:
Last of the Mohicans (French & Indian War)
The Patriot (American Revolution)
Glory (Civil War)
Cold Mountain (Civil War)

This is the perfect time to give him an overview of the government because we're in an election year. I'm sure he's heard about the candidates - just explain what's going on and how the process works.

Here are a few fun overviews for history and geography.
The Presidents:

Animaniacs - Presidents - YouTube
State Capitals:

Wakko's 50 State Capitols with Lyrics/Subtitles - YouTube
Countries of the World:

animaniacs - Countries of the world - YouTube

I can't remember what we did in English class besides vocabulary and basic writing. I don't think I learned how to write a proper essay until high school... The best thing would be to have him read a book over the summer. Hunger Games was awesome. It might get him interested enough to read the whole series.

I know we had to learn/recite poetry too. Edgar Allen Poe was always a favorite because he's so creepy. Here's his poem The Raven on The Simpsons. I know my brother used to watch it all the time and he was definitely not a fan of English class: The Simpsons - The Raven on siili's Videos - Buzznet

These are just a few suggestions (I know this isn't the best solution), but it would probably be better than nothing.

I didn't have a problem with Language Arts, then called English, nor Social Studies either and I'm foreign. I admit my English isn't perfect, still have grammar issues, can never be a writer. My son is 13. He thinks he's the younger sibling. Some of the movies would bore him, but the animations may interest him. He is smart enough to figure out, why am I watching educational videos? Thanks for your ideas.

[GregW]

aswasw - My sympathies. I do not think you can help without having you son living with you. Children are excellent mimics and learn from the adults. They learn behavior from the nearest adult. That is the man he is with. He has learned to do as little as possible to get what he wants. He is being set up for a rude awakening when he gets out of school.

Does this guy drink? Is he an alcoholic? If so get you son out of there immediately! I was raised by a drunk and an enabler and it has taken me 50 years to unlearn that behavior. Your son's problem is not smarts it is behavior. He has not been taught to concentrate or work for anything because he does not see why those patterns are important or effective. That is the change he needs to make within himself. You can show him that these things work but you cannot make him believe.

[aswasw]

Originally Posted by GregW

aswasw - My sympathies. I do not think you can help without having you son living with you. Children are excellent mimics and learn from the adults. They learn behavior from the nearest adult. That is the man he is with. He has learned to do as little as possible to get what he wants. He is being set up for a rude awakening when he gets out of school.

Does this guy drink? Is he an alcoholic? If so get you son out of there immediately! I was raised by a drunk and an enabler and it has taken me 50 years to unlearn that behavior. Your son's problem is not smarts it is behavior. He has not been taught to concentrate or work for anything because he does not see why those patterns are important or effective. That is the change he needs to make within himself. You can show him that these things work but you cannot make him believe.

Thanks, GregW. He drinks but no an alcoholic. Let's just say he is not motivated as I am, and although I would like to take him (I should have not giving my son to him in the first place) I don't think it's fair that my husband should be financially responsible for my son also. I am not working and have not been able to find any, long story, though not getting unemployment benefit either nor child support. My son's father is not an honest man, he curses, he gets physical but not with his kids, never hit me once and he thinks like a child sometimes, long story here too, so this is why my son is non social with me and sneaks and uncaring. I did teach my son math in prep for summer school, then they turned around and canceled not telling us, until first day of class. My son's failure does stress me out, because I lose focus and cannot sleep well. I make calls here and there to find answers, but there is usually none.

[sgthoskins]

What amazes me when kids fail at public school is how simple it is to pass and graduate public school. Lets not kid ourselves here, the public school curriculum have been watered down quite a bit over the last 30 years. You REALLY have to try hard to fail.

Not to mention you really have to try hard to not know your child is failing throughout the course of the year. The standards are already so low, I'm amazed we have a 74% graduation rate nationally. The public education system is broken severely.

aswasw Good luck with your son. I hope you can turn things around.

[GregW]

IMHO - You son's father IS the problem. So long as your son is living with this person you son will copy daddy into failure. This is just about certain and there is nothing short of having custody of your boy that will make any difference. Even if you do obtain custody he may have already learned improperbehavior too thoroughly to be taught new ways. I suggest you talk to someone with more experience than any of us. I suggest a Family Consular. You have a very difficult problem.

I speak from the experience of watching a nephew being turned into a mental and emotional problem child (snotty little PIA) by his addicted and obnoxious father. My niece apparently does not realize he is the most expensive baby sitter possible.

[flyonpa]

Couple thing... Its sound like he Might have ADD/ADHD, You might want to have him tested for that.

Peer or Social Promotion is common, If 'Just' missed passing the classes, Keeping him back for a year, will hurt him long term. Having him repeat the whole 8th grade means he need to start everything over again (odd are his grades will be lower due to be board in class) witch can then cause behavioral issues. Board kid act up in class. And what do you do him with the classes he passed? Have him do them over again?


The Failing of Social Studies, it not that big of a deal (going in to HS). What he takes in SS in HS will not really build on what he took topic wise in middle school. Mostly is learning about the world around us, and how to research information on that topic.

The Failing of English, will be a problem, English build from year to year. What he did in MS, they expect him to know so they can add to it in the HS English classes.

I would talk to the HS (and his MS ) both mostly the High school counseling dept before they depart for the summer. They will need to re-work his schedule to get him into Support English classes. (Im guessing he does not need English as Second Language classes (ESL)) . The earlier they have the changes to his schedule the better, then attempting to do it the 1st week of school.

[GregW]

flyonpa -
Board is a piece of wood. Bored is a student listening to a boring lecture.

[flyonpa]

My bad.. Spelling was never my strong point....