... I can be upset that my child's grade was based on 8 points, right?... And to just clarify...I am not so much upset about the grades as I am that she hasn't really learned anything... How do I approach this teacher when she said to me 'She is trying as hard as she can' and 'An S isn't a bad grade' even though she doesn't understand that the work is BORING HER.
The goal is not to find justification to be upset. The goal is to remain calm and show a better way which benefits your child, the teacher, and possibly other kids as well. If you speak to someone, you may wish to approach them in a way which may be seen as helpful within the local norms. A sense of moving forward, having things in perspective, positivity, and facts are often helpful. While in general there is good and bad in everything, a focus on negativity and disappointment may be seen as
smacking the oobleck with a spoon and creating an unyielding solid... it works against advocacy.
Many families begin creating a "resume" or portfolio of their children's accomplishments, achievements, and extracurricular activities which may be fun to look back on and may also prove useful when writing essays, applying to other extracurricular programs, etc.
A parent and child learning positive advocacy skills and keeping a collection of the child's achievements can be highly rewarding activities providing benefits now and in the future.
