After a break from school, students of all ages should look back over the past several months of learning and evaluate their growth. This family-opportunity for discussion can easily occur over a shared meal, a drive in the car, or several snack breaks. Guided by parents with the right questions, students will be led to further goals that will increase their effort, eventually helping them to reassess, re-evaulate, feel confident in their growth and success and, finally, develop new goals. As the conversation continues, families will notice a healthy process of self-improvement. This process doesn’t just work for children, but for adults as well.
Questions to ask your children in regards to academic success
- How has your participation been this year? (You’ll likely receive a one-syllable response.) Push further by asking your child more.
- When do you feel your participation in class has been strong/good/helpful?
- When have you lacked participation?
- Why do you think that is?
- Do you feel better participation will help you in school? Why?
- How can you have better participation?
Repeat this conversation, replacing participation with other academic and behavior elements such as studying, study skills, writing, reading, math, science, listening, homework, respect, responsibility and classroom behavior. If there’s a specific area where your child has been focusing this year (perhaps calling out in class or taking turns) focus on that area for your discussion.
After some discussion, help your child to craft a goal for a given amount of time, anywhere from 1 day, to a month, and then revisit the questions above. With reachable goals, children will learn success, build confidence and look forward to setting new goals.
Free self evaluation printables
For visual learners, writing about goals and progress together will help children and parents to see and evaluate their progress and guide them to new goals. Use and adapt these free printables to help guide your conversations. Help your child answer the questions asked, then discuss what he’s doing correctly, what areas need improvement, and, together, set a new goal.
Self evaluation for behavior for elementary school students: Use this page to help your child evaluate his behavior in school (or at home), then discuss progress and set goals together.
Self evaulation for listening skills for elementary school students: Use this page to help your child evaluate his listening skills at school (or adapt for at home), then set goals together.
Self evaluation for elementary school participation: Use this sheet to help your child self-evaluate his participation in school and set a new goal.
Self evaluation for elementary school homework: Use this sheet to evaluate and set new homework goals for the elementary age child.
Self evaluation fill-in-the-blanks printable: use this form to create focus on personal goals, personal behavior goals or specific subject matter.
© 2013, Julie Meyers Pron. All rights reserved.
Planning on doing this with my 3rd grader tonight. Thanks.
Twitter: juliempron
says:
awesome! Please let me know how it goes!
Twitter: opheliaweiner
says:
This is a great way to let my son develop his own goals and be completely included in the process. I know that he will feel good about himself because he established his goals. Thanks
Twitter: juliempron
says:
so glad you’re finding it useful. I’d love to hear how it goes.
Twitter: ConnieFoggles
says:
I try to do this with my 14 year old daughter, but without much success. The questions you’ve provided may get us back on track. Thanks.
Twitter: juliempron
says:
I think that very often the more simple the discussion, the easier it is for the child to take it where it needs to go. Hopefully this will be useful for you. And try the printables. LMK how it goes, Connie.
Twitter: FoundtheMarbles
says:
Love the printables!
Twitter: juliempron
says:
Thanks! I’m hoping many people will find them helpful.
these are AWESOME! My daughter is only 5, but she is incredibly goal-oriented. I bet these printables will motivate her to keep improving.
Twitter: juliempron
says:
the printables will need to be read by you, but I really tried to keep them simple enough for Kindergarten and first grade to understand.
Twitter: rockonmommies
says:
Such a great idea! I’m going to do this with Ellie tonight!
Twitter: juliempron
says:
oh good! Hope it goes well for you!
Twitter: AMomBlog
says:
Julie these are great. I think with my opportunities for my kids to set their own goals they’ll be more apt to work towards them. And yes, my kids usually give me the one word response. Takes a little more effort to pull out some more information but worth it.
Twitter: juliempron
says:
glad you like them, Nanette. There are more printables for parents to help their kids on their way. (just need to find time to sit down and do them! Now, that’s a goal for me!)