Dr. Yvonne Fournier

Normal 0 0 1 555 3165 26 6 3886 11.1282 0 0 0 Dear Dr. Fournier: Last year, both my son’s attitude and execution concerning his homework was a disaster, and I am afraid the pattern will repeat itself this year. For the homework to be neat and well done, I had to sit with him. If I didn’t have the time or energy, he would rush through. Last year, his teacher didn’t ask for his homework everyday, so my son began to gamble on not hav­ing to turn his homework in. When he did turn in his homework, he got low grades and I received notes on his messy papers as if it were my fault. I do not know how to change the pattern this year. I’ve already tried screaming and punishing and brib­ing. They work for a while, and then we end up right back in the same place. Eva D. Fayetteville, AR Dear Eva, ASSESSMENT: When parents scream, punish and/or bribe a child in order to ch... (more)

Basic skills may be rusty after a summer off

Dear Dr. Fournier: My son completed fifth grade last year on a high note. During the year, he struggled completing his math on time. By the end of the year his math speed had dramatically improved. A week ago I asked him to complete a worksheet out of one of his workbooks from last year. He struggled to complete it, and it took him quite a while. I was shocked to see that all of his progress seemed to have slipped away. What can we do now that the new school year is looming? Can we get him back up to par? Richelle W. Fresno, CA Dear Richelle: When the school year ends, st... (more)

The Processes for Learning Are More Important Than Trivia

Normal 0 0 1 591 3371 28 6 4139 11.1282 0 0 0 Dear Dr. Fournier: My child brought home an F on a test. His answers weren’t what the teacher wanted even though they weren’t wrong. My son gave correct answers in his own words. They were marked wrong because they weren’t the same words as in the book. This is not the first time this has happened. Is there anything I can do to help my child be successful in school? Paula R. Savannah, GA Dear Paula: ASSESSMENT: Being "successful" can be an effective goal and a booby trap all in one. When we were children, we achieved success i... (more)

Focus on Grades as Clues to What Still Needs to Be Learned

Normal 0 0 1 597 2747 70 14 4180 11.1282 0 0 0 Dear Dr. Fournier: My daughter just started the third grade. School has been very easy for her up to now, and she has been a straight-A student with very little effort. Although this sounds like every parent’s dream, I am concerned. On her own, my child now expects to make all As… in other words she expects perfection. What happens when she has to put in the effort and doesn’t make the grade? Teresa B. Oakland, CA Dear Teresa: Take heart, your fears are not atypical or unique. The major difference in your realization is that yo... (more)

A Vision of the Schools of the Future

Dear Dr. Fournier: I read your March 8th article and agree with your advice.  I’m an architect and trying to imagine how the new technology will manifest itself in the school facilities.  If classrooms become more like wi-fi media centers (no more eggcrates) and media centers more like retail bookstore environments, what sort of resistance do you anticipate coming from educators and stakeholders?  It seems like everyone is ready for a paradigm shift, but not sure about acoustics or control over students.  What do you think? Dana D. Orlando, FL Dear Dana: ASSESSMENT: The ... (more)