Why do we accept adequacy in place of excellence?

Underachieve
ment

What is
underachievement?
underachieve

[uhn-der-uh-cheev]
verb (used without object), -achieved,
-achieving. 1. to perform, esp.
academically, below the potential
indicated by tests of one's mental ability
or aptitude. 2. to perform below
expectations or achieve less than
expected, esp. by others.
As defined by dictionary.com

What does it mean for you in

regards to your child?
There

are several types of

underachievers. We will call them
players for the purpose of this
learning exercise
Case Studies- Break into small
groups and match the description of
each type of underachiever with the
player

The Players
The

Rebel
The Conformist
The Stressed Learner
The Struggling Student
The Victim
The Distracted Learner
The Bored Student
The Complacent Learner
The Single-Sided Achiever

The Rebel
The

rebel student is one who holds

tight to any type of control he or she
may have. In the case of
underachievement, it is by refusing
to cooperate with the wishes of
others, whether it be teachers or
parents.

The Conformist
The

conformist is a child who has

discovered that doing well in school
is not worth their effort or time.
This situation can develop when a
child finishes work early and is
simply assigned more.

The Stressed Learner

Also

known as the Perfectionist

Nothing is ever good enough
Unable to choose between project
choices or subjects due to feeling as
though each deserves consideration

The Struggling Student

Can

fall through the cracks

May have been able to achieve during
Elementary School, however, at some point in
their learning, they have reached the end of
their rope

The Victim
Adults

involved in the students life

have spent ample time in meeting
and discussing reasons as to why the
child is not succeeding. The adults in
his or her life may have focused on
creating plans for achievement that
do not place responsibility directly on
the child. The child has grown
accustomed to others doing the work
and has not taken responsibility in

The Distracted Learner

Outside

issues come into conflict

with achievement in school

The Bored Student

More

than just being bored, there

may be fear or a lack of willingness
to try
They Did Not Give Up

The Complacent Learner

This

student is completely satisfied

with his or her achievement. While
others believe that the student may
do better if they were to simply
apply themselves, the student does
not feel a need to do so.
Good, better, best. Never rest until
good be better and better best. ~
Mother Goose

The Single-Sided
Achiever
This

student
chooses which
classes or
subjects are
important to
him or her.

What can we do to motivate underachievers?

Six Ways to Promote and

Support Student Motivation

1. Be a model of
Achievement
Thats

right! If you want your child to

do his or her best, model this
behavior.

2. Introduce the student to

other adults who are achievers
This

can be especially powerful if you

find someone who shares common
interests with the child.

3. Communicate your
experiences
Be

specific!
For example, it is not enough for you
to tell your child to practice playing
the piano. Tell your child that you
want him or her to practice for 20
minutes a day.

4. Give the student some howto help to become motivated

Help your child

become more
interested in what
he or she is
learning by
presenting the
material in a way
that he or she may
find more
appealing.

5. Make sure the student has the

time to develop and practice the
skills necessary for success

As the saying
goes, practice
makes perfect!

6. Encourage and praise

learning efforts
Make

sure that you take notice to

any kind of achievements, whether
they be large or small.
Reward your child with a
congratulations, a hug, or something
simple. This can make a big
difference.

Who are achievers and what do they do?

Eight Characteristics of
Achievers

Achievers are
Goal
Oriented
Make a plan
Benefits
Obstacles
Materials
Incentives
Checkpoints

"Some of the world's greatest

feats were accomplished by
people not smart enough to know
they were impossible."
Doug Larson

Achievers are
Positive
Thinkers
If you believe it,
you can achieve it!
Reflect on the
successes you
have already had.
How did you get to
that point?

Achievers are
Confident
If you are sure of
yourself, it shows in
what you do and
who you are.
This also helps you
to take risks because
you know that if you
fall, youll be able to
pick yourself up
again.

Confidence comes not from

always being right but from
not fearing to be wrong.
~ Peter T. Mcintyre

Achievers are
Resilient
Ability

to overcome and bounce

back
Do not let failure stop them

Achievers
Have Pride
Know when to accept a compliment
Rely on self to provide that sense of
accomplishment rather than outside sources

Have Self Discipline

Ability to stay on track and on task
Stay in drive rather than shifting to neutral
Keep in mind personal goals

Achievers are
Proficient

Have attained the skills to become successful

May be basic to advanced and specific

Risk Takers
Willing to take a chance and try something new
Able to push the limits
Risk taking requires courage and confidence in
ones abilities; achievers have both. ~ Diane
Heacox

What can you do at home?

Eleven Positive
Coaching Tips for
Parents

Eleven Positive Coaching Tips

for Parents
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Use moderation
Be positive
Agree on and communicate
expectations
Let the learner struggle
Connect effort with results
Enforce academic time
Share decision making
Use incentives
Communicate clearly

Eleven Positive Coaching Tips

for Parents (contd)
10. Minimize anxiety
11. Build self esteem

How can they be avoided?

Parenting Pitfalls

Eight Parenting Pitfalls

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Unreasonable
expectations
The need to control
Giving up
Frequent use of
payoffs
Saving the child
Anger and guilt trips
Panic
Punishment

What Gifted Students Want

from Their Parents
Be supportive and encouraging
2. Dont expect perfection or too much from
us
3. Dont pressure us or be too demanding
4. Help us with our schoolwork/homework
5. Help us to develop our talents
6. Be understanding
7. Dont expect straight As
8. Allow us some independence
9. Talk/Listen to us
10.Let us try other programs
1.

End note
"`Cheshire Puss, (said Alice)
Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?
That depends a good deal on where you want to get to, said the Cat.
I don't much care wheresaid Alice.
Then it doesn't matter which way you go, said the Cat.
--so long as I get SOMEWHERE, Alice added as an explanation.
Oh, you're sure to do that, said the Cat, If you only walk long
enough.
~ Lewis Carroll

Handouts
Parent

Survey- to determine whether

or not you are helping to support
your childs achievement, take the
survey. Check my wiki to evaluate
your answers.
Things to do today- may help
students who are easily
overwhelmed or those who have
fallen behind
Project ideas- Choices, Choices,

Resources
Judy

Galbraith, M. A. and Jim Delisle,

P.H.D. (1996). The Gifted Kids'
Survival Guide: A Teen Handbook.
Minneapolis: Free Spirit Publishing
Diane Heacox (1991). Up From
Underachievement. Minneapolis:
Free Spirit Publishing
Carolyn Coil (1999). Encouraging
Achievement. Pieces of Learning