Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Parenting and Advocacy Correcting a Teacher?

I think the bigger issue is the teacher's crazy grading criterion. You don't take additional points off for every occurence of the exact same error. That's just nuts.

When I was in high school, I had an English teacher who trashed my grade on a test because 1) I had scanned a line of poetry differently than she thought it should be scanned, but then also 2) I had counted the number of feet correctly for my scansion, but incorrectly for her scansion. In other words, there was not a second independent error, but she took more points off for it anyway.

That kind of stupidity is just inexcusable in a teacher.

I would leave the capitalization issue alone, and tackle the grading criterion issue.

That's a straightforward error by the teacher and should be addressed.

Unless, of course, she ate a Canadian Goose for Thanksgiving, while a Siberian Tiger hunted a Steller's Jay in the backyard, scaring all the California Quail out of the California Poppies.

I wouldn't use this as a moment of self-advocacy at age 10, unless your daughter is particularly diplomatic by nature, as this will likely embarrass the teacher. I'd send a polite email to the teacher and, yes, ask that the grade be corrected.

FWIW... we had a similar situation with Canadian Goose vs. Canadian goose. Teacher offered a mea culpa to the class over it.

Dandy

p.s.
Yes, for all the purist friends from up north (North?), I know it's officially a "Canada goose," but that's a whole different ball of wax to burn.

I agree!

It might be too late now, as your daughter might have already had a discussion with the teacher, but it's also possible that the teacher graded the paper holistically. As an occasional writing teacher, I assign a grade that takes into account content, sophistication of vocabulary, organization, flow of ideas, etc. When I mark something, it's usually only as a helpful note, not to "take points off."

Of course, if that's the case, the teacher absolutely should have noted helpful ideas for improvement. To have one "correction" be the only feedback on a paper is just bad teaching.

Just a quick update: DD talked with the teacher today and, when asked, showed the teacher the dictionary. After the teacher confirmed with the English teacher, she changed the grade. DD said she was pleasant about it. So, I'm proud that my DD decided to say something, and pleased that the teacher reacted positively. I don't like to rabble-rouse, so I'm just glad that all's well that end's well!

Hurrah! Sweet success.

Was it grade actually based on 'one off for each (non) error?' I'm just curious/incredulous.

Congratulations on DD's success.
((shrugs and more shrugs))
Grinity

What a great experience for your daughter to be able to respectfully challenge her teacher and have such a positive outcome. Yay!