The GradeUP! Challenge is not just for students, it’s for Parents, Mentors and Stakeholders too.
We’ve all had the “Fine” conversation with our students:
Parent/Mentor/Stakeholder: “How are you doing?”
Student: “Fine.”
Parent/Mentor/Stakeholder: “How are you doing in your classes?”
Student: “Fine.”
Parent/Mentor/Stakeholder: “How are your grades this semester?”
Student: “Fine.”
Not much information is exchanged in these fine conversations. The College in Four Years GradeUP! Challenge (CiFYGradeUP) can help by providing Parents-Mentors-Stakeholders with a framework to support students in their determination to succeed. Use the Challenge tasks to start a discussion that gives you real insight into what and how your student is doing this semester. The Challenge tasks are also an opportunity for you to offer and remind them of your support as well as share similar or unique experiences. Sometimes it is hard to know what questions to ask and students have difficulty knowing how to share their experiences with us.
CiFYGradeUP to Avoid “Fine” Conversations
Use the weekly Challenge tasks to ask specific questions that offer insight into how your student is managing the semester. They are also an opportunity for your students to talk about what’s really going on with school, life or whatever.
Use the Challenge to ask questions like:
“What did you discuss when you talked to your advisor this week?”
“What did you learn you’ll cover from the syllabus in that class this semester?”
“Tell me about the students in your study group. What are you the subject matter expert for?”
“Fine” is not an answer to any of these questions.
Over the next 15 weeks, through a full semester, I’ll post two GradeUP challenges per week. Click the Follow button on the right to be notified by email when a new Challenge task is posted or you can Like my FACEBOOK page or follow me on Twitter, @ProfGMS, and use the #Ci4YGradeUP hashtag to find all recent Challenge tasks.
Let me know what you think about the GradeUp! Challenge by leaving a comment. I’m interested to know how it is working for you and your student – just don’t say “Fine.”
See a clip from a recent talk Dr. Sawyer gave about being a proactive coach.