I just got a box of my mom's papers (mom died 7 years ago, brother had stuff, brother died in February, stuff is trickling down) and found the report cards Mom had saved for another brother. This particular brother is a rocket scientist, literally.
This is a page of notes from one year of school, it doesn't say which year. It's in a chart with boxes for "Comprehension - Speed in Reading", "Reading Habits", "Competency in Writing", "Language Skills", "Vocabulary Building", "Classroom Discussion", "Special Learning Problems", "Classroom Behavior", and "Study Habits", and going across the top is each period of the school year.
6 weeks
He reads exceptionally well, understanding exactly what he reads. He concentrates very well. He's imaginative but disorganized. His work is sloppy but he knows what he's doing. He can make excellent comments -- He's a quick thinker. He daydreams a lot and often talks too much. He has a great tendency to loaf. There is no excuse for this as he is a good reader and a potentially-- (it leaves off here so I don't know what was next).
12 weeks
His work is quite below what I feel he is capable of doing. His work is messy and disorganized. He has been told to take work home but fails to do so. He has become a problem. He wastes 90% of his time and is constantly on the verge of being a little disrespectful.
18 weeks
-- should be bringing home work quite frequently. This would help him make up for the time he wastes in class. He daydreams quite frequently. I would appreciate any helpful suggestions or cooperation from home. He does express himself very well. His manners seem improved, but his study habits are not.
24 weeks
The same still applies. Perhaps a conference would be helpful. He is one of the finalists in the spelling contest.
30 weeks
-- seems to enjoy working individually. However, he will not do work he does not choose to. (Actually, this said he will no do work he does not chose to. Urgh) Unfortunately, this is causing him to miss many important basic skills.
36 weeks
-- has shown a great improvement in attitude and willingness to complete assignments. He is presently working on several special projects and doing very well, I might add.
There is another note, from second grade, actually from two different periods of the year:
-- seems content to skim the surface rather than to delve deeply into a subject. I would suggest testing him to see if he is gifted. If he were grouped with others of comparable capabilities perhaps they would give him the "spark" and the competition needed.
And:
I should like to encourage independent work. -- is capable of doing research into fields of interest. He is entering into group activities more. He seems more relaxed.
I also found a junior high report card that had "Social Promotion" written across the bottom, with a lot of very bad grades.
