Mission Possible

I sit.  I look at things. I don’t really engage in any reading.  I wait.  One minute, two minutes, then I hear “Mom, can you take a look at my math?”

And so it begins, the school night homework. Three backpacks today held a novel with several chapters to read, lots of math, vocabulary worksheets, a science project, and a new song to learn on the recorder.  

“We better get that math started,” I said.  “We will get this done in no time.”

WE

Being an educator and a mom, I get to see both sides of the homework issue. In the teacher’s lounge, I hear daily about kids not completing homework.  Teachers are baffled. Why don’t kids do their work? Why don’t they get this homework done.  Why don't’ they care if they get a detention.  

So what happens when students get stumped? For many kids, an Algebra class can feel like AP Calculus and be as confusing as trying to read Arabic.  If no one is readily available to help, it is easy to get frustrated, feel overwhelmed, and shut down.

I happened to be at the high school library last week, when a student came in with his head down and flopped into a chair in front of the computer.

“I have a PowerPoint due tomorrow,” he muttered under his breath arms crossed. “I have not started it, and I don’t want to start it.”

“How much do you have left to do?” the teacher asked in a kind voice.

“All of it,”he replied under his breath not looking up.  He sat.  He made no move to get started.
 
The teacher rolled her chair up next to his computer, and said, “Let’s get started. Login and show me what we need to do.”

WE

That was music to his ears. He was no longer alone.  

WE

She was willing to stay by his side,

WE

Reluctantly, he logged in and began talking about the project.  She gently asked him questions,  he started to tell her about his ideas.  Slowly, slide by slide, the presentation took shape.
It was beautiful to watch.  Encouragement, kind words, and attentiveness was the combination he needed to overcome the paralysis of getting the project started.  

WE

We all work better together.

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