Checklist

Please note that some items on this list may only apply to first grade. Omit those items.

Section I

  1. My child can make A's in spelling, but cannot retain these words for any length of time.

  2. My child can remember spelling words if they are given in the same order each time, but not if the order is changed.

  3. My child has difficulty remembering the sequence of letters in words.

  4. My child spells words the way they sound.

  5. Learning and using phonic sounds is difficult for my child.

Section II

  1. My child does not enjoy reading on his/her own for pleasure.

  2. My child does not enjoy the subject 'Reading' in the classroom.

  3. My child has difficulty remembering what (s)he reads.

  4. My child has difficulty comprehending what (s)he reads.

  5. I have observed that my child tends to read in dim light.

  6. My child holds his/her book at odd angles when reading.

Section III

  1. Often my child seems to 'know' all the information for a school test the night before, but fails the test the next day.

  2. (first grade only) My child has 1 or more hours of homework per night. (average)

  3. A parent or sibling often must help with homework to complete it on time.

  4. Sometimes I DO the homework for my child just so (s)he can have some free time after school.

  5. Homework completion is a nightly struggle in our home.

  6. Sometimes my child deliberately forgets to bring homework home because of embarrassment or because it seems overwhelming.

Section IV

  1. The teacher has indicated that my child is lazy.

  2. The teacher has indicated that my child is not working up to his/her potential.

  3. The teacher has indicated that my child could 'do the work if they tried.'

  4. The teacher has indicated that my child is not motivated.

  5. The teacher has indicated that my child does not pay attention in class.

  6. The teacher has indicated that my child gets frustrated in class.

  7. The teacher has indicated that my child is unable to complete classwork on time.

  8. The teacher has indicated that my child is slow or inaccurate when copying from the chalkboard.

Section V

  1. My child seems to have poor work habits.

  2. My child seems to be disorganized.

  3. My child seems to be unable to keep track of his/her possessions.

  4. My child has a poor sense of time. (Inability to judge how long a task will take, for example.)

  5. My child has a poor grasp when (s)he uses a pencil.

  6. My child has messy handwriting.

  7. My child has difficulty remembering names and symbols.

  8. My child has difficulty remembering lists and/or directions. (For example, a three-step direction such as "Go upstairs, pick up your red shirt, and put it in the laundry basket.")

  9. My child has difficulty pronouncing words correctly or expressing his/her ideas clearly.

Section VI

  1. My child is unable to put his/her thoughts down in writing.

  2. Writing is a painful process for my child so (s)he tends to avoid it.

  3. Accurately copying from books or papers is very difficult for my child. (this includes both words and math problems)

  4. My child is slow at writing.

Section VII

  1. My child cannot rhyme words.

  2. My child cannot identify or isolate the beginning and/or ending sounds of words.

  3. My child has difficulty "sounding out" words.

  4. My child has difficulty remembering how to spell his/her sight words.

Section VIII

  1. I expected my child to do well in school because (s)he exhibited intelligent behaviors before entering.

  2. My child's siblings all do well at school.