Challenge Your Mind, Change The World

Parents, There's More to Life Than Just the Report Card: Nurturing the Whole Student Beyond Academic Scores

• The Classic High School Teacher • Season 1 • Episode 6

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Ever found yourself in a parent-teacher conference that turned into an unexpected lightbulb moment? That's precisely what led me, Francesca Hudson, to challenge the conventional wisdom on grades and their impact on our teens' education and well-being. On this enlightening episode of Challenge Your Mind, Change the World, we delve into the depths of how traditional grading might be myopically emphasizing academics at the expense of creativity, social skills, and emotional intelligence – essential components for the holistic growth of our youngsters. Join us as we unravel the narrative that good grades equate to success, and consider the merits of fostering a growth mindset that celebrates learning over scores.

Today's educational journey goes beyond rote learning and into the realm of continuous innovation and personal development. I share stories and insights on alternative assessment techniques, like portfolios, that paint a broader picture of a student's capabilities and achievements. We discuss the invaluable role of parents in nurturing their child's innate creativity and how vital it is to keep the channels of communication open. It's not just about the report card; it's about preparing our teens for the multifaceted challenges of life. So tune in and let's together support a generation of well-rounded individuals ready to take on the world, one thoughtful conversation at a time.

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- Francesca

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Speaker 1:

Hello, hello, hello and welcome. I am Francesca Hudson, your host and you are with Challenge your Mind, change the World, the podcast where we dive deep into what really shapes the learning and growth of our teenagers. Thank you, wonderful parents, for joining me today. We have got a really juicy podcast episode. We're going beyond the report card to explore what truly matters in our teenagers' educational journeys. We're talking about the aspects of learning that grades simply can't measure. Why this topic? Well, a very clear memory has always stuck in my mind when I'm talking about academic success and the importance of grades with parents and I had a parent-teacher conference where I met with some worried parents of a really bright student who was distraught over a B in their English essay Writing. In essays we did a lot of, and this particular student was involved in sports and music and volunteer work and was very, very heavily involved in the community of the school. This particular student was struggling to see her own value beyond that single grade and that really caused me to reflect. This encounter made me realize how often we as a community equate a student's worth with their academic performance and it really struck a chord with me and I knew we needed to address this on the podcast.

Speaker 1:

If you've ever found yourself fretting over your child's grades, wondering if these numbers tell the full story of who they are and what they can become, then this episode is for you. Let's look at the limitations of grades. What do grades actually represent? Let's start by understanding what grades are actually designed to measure. Typically, grades assess how well students remember and apply specific academic knowledge within a structured setting like, for example, tests or assignments. But here's what we often miss Grades don't capture the full spectrum of a student's intelligence or their capabilities. They don't show us a student's curiosity, for example, or their leadership qualities, or their creativity, or even their ability to collaborate effectively with others those social aspects. Think of it like a snapshot from a camera. It captures a moment in time, but it doesn't tell the whole story of a journey. Just as one snapshot can't show you every beautiful scene from a mountain hike, for example, a single grade can't show all the learning and the growth a student experiences. It's just not possible, so it's very limited in its scope.

Speaker 1:

Now let's talk about the darker side of grades the pressure that they can create. So for many students, the pursuit of high grades becomes the end all and be all of their school experience. It creates pressure and anxiety, and these are two topics that, as parents and as educators, are so important and they cause us so much worry and concern about how our teenagers are feeling at school. What pressure are they under and how is it triggering anxiety? And then are they even communicating that pressure and anxiety to us as adults? This pressure can lead to severe anxiety and stress, and it's not uncommon to hear of students who experience sleepless nights, anxiety attacks and even depression over their grades.

Speaker 1:

The fear of not measuring up can overshadow their education and their personal growth. It can be really damaging to put emphasis on this be-all, end-all high grades or high achievement or academic success, at the complete disregard of all the other skills, those transferable soft skills that teenagers are learning in these very transformative years. And, according to psychologists, when students are overly focused on grades, they can develop a fixed mindset where they see their abilities as static. This is a direct contradiction to the growth mindset that we aim to cultivate in education and here at the Classic High School Teacher, which encourages ongoing learning and development, that beginner's mindset in life always showing up, no matter how old you are with a beginner's mindset, the idea that there is always something new to learn and that we are always at the start of the journey and not the end. So it's crucial for us as educators and as parents to recognize these signs and intervene when we see them. We should be encouraging our students to understand that their worth is not tied to a letter on their report card.

Speaker 1:

Let's look at the holistic development in teens. There's social skills, for an example. So, moving beyond grades, let's focus on these social skills for a moment. These are the abilities that help our teens navigate the world around them, build relationships and effectively communicate. Why do they matter? Well, in both personal and professional settings, strong social skills can be just as important as academic knowledge. They can help teens work well in teams, resolve conflicts and express themselves clearly. And, as a business owner myself, the young people coming through into the workforce that have these strong social skills far outperform the young people that come through that have got really high grades in their particular field, but they just don't know how to operate and interact in a social setting. And another example is during group projects at school, when I was teaching at school, it's not just the grade that matters, but how students collaborate, negotiate and support their peers. These experiences are invaluable as they mirror the future workplace environments to foster, but they aren't necessarily taught in school. They're not a subject it's not a cold, hard subject where there is a curriculum that you can test against and so these soft skills quite often get ignored. It's up to us as parents, outside of school, to be able to foster and encourage and teach these soft skills.

Speaker 1:

Another really important skill is emotional intelligence. Another really important skill is emotional intelligence. So emotional intelligence is an understanding of one's own emotions and the emotions of others. It's a double whammy. It's not just our own emotions, but the emotions of others equips our teenagers with the skills to manage stress, empathize with others and make thoughtful decisions. It's about building resilience and adapting to the setbacks with a balanced perspective. Here's an example Consider a teen who struggles initially with poor grades, but learns to cope with disappointment and strategizes different approaches to learning as a result of this, as a result of this disappointment. This shows maturity and adaptability. These are qualities that are highly valued in every stage of life. It's learning not to quit, learning not to give up after the first try. It's being able to recognize that with persistence you can get there. These are all as a result of emotional intelligence.

Speaker 1:

Once again, this is not taught in schools. This is up to us parents to be able to teach this in our children. And then we come to critical thinking and problem solving. These skills are about analyzing situations, questioning norms and coming up with effective solutions, but unfortunately, traditional grading systems often overlook these skills. They might not fully capture a student's ability to think outside the box or solve complex real world problems. As teachers, we just simply don't have the time in class to teach specific critical thinking and problem solving skills. As I say, we are there to teach the curriculum in a very limited amount of time, and we really have to hope and cross our fingers that when a student can respond critically in an essay or in a speech, they somehow intuitively know how to think critically. How do we encourage development then? Well, as parents and as educators, we can foster these abilities by encouraging teens to engage in debates, participate in things like science fairs or take on projects that require them to design solutions to community issues. It's these type of extracurricular activities looking at the more community-focused events that are happening around school, because these activities help them apply what they learn in meaningful ways and are really good at teaching these social skills in a new light.

Speaker 1:

If we say, on one hand, that grades aren't everything, what are some alternatives to traditional grading? Well, let's start with project-based learning, a dynamic classroom approach in which students actively explore real-world problems and challenges. So, through projects, students get to immerse themselves deeply in a subject, which enhances their understanding and their attention. This method also encourages them to develop practical skills by applying what they learn in meaningful contexts, and more and more schools are adapting this project-based learning, where the grade isn't just reliant on one end of year exam, but assessed routinely throughout the year in various projects, which is great. So I'll give you an example. Imagine a project where students are tasked with designing a sustainable garden for the school. This requires research, planning, teamwork and execution, and these are all skills that are invaluable in real life but often under-emphasised in traditional grading, but you can see how important they are.

Speaker 1:

Another way that schools are adapting now as well, that you'll notice, and I think it's important. As parents, we really do praise our children when we see them working on these assessments are portfolios and continuous assessment. These are comprehensive records of a student's work that showcase their progress over time, and the benefits are unlike a single test score, a portfolio can include various forms of student work, like written assignments, projects and even video recordings of presentations, and this provides a much fuller picture of a student's abilities and their growth. For example, a student might compile a portfolio for an English class and we used to run an assessment throughout the year for reading. They would have a reading log of books. They would have to read a wide range of books from different genres and reflect on that. So you know, a portfolio might include essays, book reviews and personal reflections written throughout the year, illustrating not just their writing skills but their evolving critical thinking and analytical capabilities as well.

Speaker 1:

Another way is encouraging creativity and innovation as well. Another way is encouraging creativity and innovation. Fostering an environment that values creativity and innovation is essential. In our rapidly changing world, the ability to think differently and to innovate is more crucial than ever. Schools can support this by offering more open-ended assignments that allow for creative expression and by recognising creative accomplishments, and so many schools are doing this now and, as I mentioned before, when we see this at home, when our children bring their work home, it is so important to praise and encourage these types of projects, because these are the types of projects that will really benefit them in the long term.

Speaker 1:

So, as parents, we can encourage our children by engaging in creative activities at home as well, or supporting hobbies and interests that foster inventive thinking, like those community science fairs or those debates. It's about creating a culture that appreciates creativity just as much as academic achievement. For instance, a school might host an innovation day where students present inventions or start-up ideas to local business leaders, providing both recognition and real-world feedback. And if that is an opportunity that is given to your child, I would encourage you to tell them to embrace it with both hands. How else can we as parents because I am a parent two to two boys how can we help with our children? Well, it starts with supporting their interests.

Speaker 1:

One of the most impactful ways that we, as parents, can help is by supporting our children's interests outside of academic achievements. Attend their events, ask about their projects. Question asking is one of the most valuable communication tools you can have with your children and show genuine interest. Put the phone away and show genuine interest in what they're doing. This not only boosts their confidence, but also shows that you value their development beyond just simply grades and academic success. Such support can help teenagers develop a really well-rounded personality. It can enhance their social skills and reduce the pressure that they feel in purely academic areas. If they know that you're cheering them on in other areas and they're contributing actively to the school, that is worth so much.

Speaker 1:

It's about creating a balanced environment, I suppose, and that's both at school and at home. It means fostering a space where learning is viewed in a broader sense, not just through the lens of homework or grades. My suggestion when parents ask me is to set up a dedicated space for creative projects that's separate from study areas, because we want to be able to associate this with pleasure, with creativity, with fostering curiosity and and it's a place where you can regularly discuss books, movies and current events that encourage critical thinking and debate. Put on some music, if you've got an auditory learner, or light some scented candles if you've got an engager with you. This kind of environment shows that learning isn't just for school, it's part of everyday life. It's part of everyday life and encourage downtime and relaxation too. It's important for mental health and it also helps maintain a balance between schoolwork and personal time.

Speaker 1:

I think also when it comes to how we can support our teenagers and our children as parents, having open communication and this is one area that I am so passionate about is open communication is key. It builds trust and allows children and teenagers to share their thoughts and concerns about school and life, because they know that they're not going to get judged. So how do you do it? Well, start regular conversations about school that go just beyond asking how was your day. Dive deeper, ask your child what they're learning, how do they feel about their classes and what challenges they're facing.

Speaker 1:

I had a son today who did not want to go to school. He was very defiantly refusing to go to school and finally he got in the car and on the way to school. I thought I'm going to defuse the situation, and it's not about setting up your pitchforks and your battle lines with your child and saying you are going to school. I wanted to get to the heart of what the issue was, and so I was asking him questions around okay, well, why don't you want to go to school?

Speaker 1:

And he said it's school's boring. And I said, well, what in particular is boring about school? Is there a subject that you find boring? And he said spelling. And I said, okay, well, what is it about spelling that you find boring? And he said I have to do two sheets of spelling. And I said well, how long does it take to do Half an hour? And I said is it because you find it really hard to do or is it because you find it really easy to do? That's making it boring. And he said I'm finding it really easy. And I said so, maybe it's because you're not being challenged enough. You're not being challenged enough that you might be finding this boring. And obviously he's a boy. And he said I don't know, but I think that by the time we got to school, just by talking about it in this sort of back and forth question answer scenario, it had completely diffused the situation and he went off quite happily. I definitely would say you know, ask about what they're learning, how they feel about their classes and what challenges they're facing. And when you are discussing goals and expectations when they are older, when they're at that teenage level, make sure it's a two-way conversation. So listen to their aspirations and fears, because this shows you respect their views and are there to support, not just push them towards certain goals that you think they should be doing. It's about that, back and forth.

Speaker 1:

Today we've explored the limitations of traditional grading and recognised that, while grades are important, they don't tell the whole story about our teenagers. We discussed how holistic development, including social skills, emotional intelligence and critical thinking, is crucial for real-world success. We've also delved into alternative assessment methods, like project-based learning, folios and continuous assessment, which can provide a more comprehensive view of a student's abilities and their growth. So, as we look beyond the report card, let's remember that our role as parents and educators isn't just to prepare students for tests, but for life. Every teenager has unique strengths and potentials that flourish under the right conditions. Beyond the confines of traditional grading, let's strive to create environments, both at home and at school, that nurture all aspects of our teens' development, encouraging them to grow into well-rounded, capable individuals.

Speaker 1:

I encourage all of you, wonderful parents, to engage with your children on the topics we discuss today. Ask them about their interests, their struggles and their aspirations. These conversations are crucial in guiding them and understanding them better, and I'd love to hear from you, share your stories and feedback with us. Have you tried any alternative methods of assessment? If you're an educator listening to this, or if you're a parent listening, how do you support your teen's holistic development? Your insights could be incredibly valuable to our community and I might feature your story in a future episode. So please do drop us a line. I would love to hear from you. Send your thoughts and stories to our podcast email, which is info at theclassichighschoolteachercom, or drop us a comment on our social media pages. Once again, our handle is at theclassichighschoolteacher. Let's keep the conversation going.

Speaker 1:

Thank you all for tuning in today. Your presence and engagement mean the world to me, and it's your input and stories that truly bring, challenge your Mind, change the World to Life. Remember, the journey to understanding and supporting our teenagers extends far beyond what we discussed today. Keep exploring, keep talking and, most importantly, keep listening to your children. The effort you put in now can make a profound difference in their lives. If you're looking for more tips, insights or resources, please visit our website, theclassichighschoolteachercom, or follow the links on our podcast page. We have additional materials that can help you navigate the challenges and joys of parenting teenagers. Make sure you join us next time. Until then, this is Francesca Hudson, reminding you to challenge your mind and you might just change the world. Goodbye, and take care.

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