15.1 & 15.2

Chapter 15

(15.1) Turn to p. 559 in Ormrod’s text.  Now, imagine that you are meeting with Ingrid’s grandmother today to explain her scores on the recent standardized achievement test pictured at the bottom of p. 559.  What will you tell her about Ingrid’s performance? her strengths? her weaknesses? Even though this is not a criterion referenced test, if Ingrid’s grandmother asks you what she could be doing at home to help strengthen Ingrid’s skills, what will you suggest? 

After sitting in on several IEP meetings, I can say that making Ingrid's grandmother feel comfortable is the most important thing to consider at the beginning of the meeting. I would make sure to discuss with her grandmother specific positive qualities that I see in Ingrid. I would make sure to focus on the good behaviors and stellar work that I have seen come from Ingrid while in  my classroom. After we have discussed her granddaughter and her positive attributes, I would explain to her what the standardized achievement test is and what the results show and predict as far as Ingrid's performance is concerned. I would break down the results to her and show that Ingrid is scoring well above average in Social Studies, Science, and Reading Comprehension. In Math concepts she is scoring just at average. And like many children, Ingrid is scoring below average in both Math computation and Spelling. Ingrid's grandmother is probably concerned at this point so I would assure her that the results of this test do NOT define her little one as a student; instead, it shows us what she excels at and with what subjects she struggles. I would suggest several ways to help Ingrid's grandmother help her daughter in Math computation and Spelling. Some of these ways would include math practice beyond just what is done in the classroom and for homework. There are so many resources online that offer fun games and activities for every grade level that are fun to play for kids and help strengthen those basic skills. I can think specifically of one website call MathBlaster that I grew up playing and is still active today. As far as Spelling goes, I know there are games on the web for that too, but to increase time spent together I would suggest that Ingrid and her grandmother read challenging books together. Seeing familiar words repeatedly and experiencing new ones is sure to build her Spelling and vocabulary skills. Finally, to end our meeting I would give Ingrid's mother my email and encourage her to contact me with any further questions or concerns.