Tutoring Kids
We gather on Thursday evenings at church to help kids with their school work. I am certainly no scholar, and it has been a long time since I have done homework, but can generally offer some assistance. Here are some considerations that came my way during tonight's session.
I helped a 6th grader with an internet assignment. His written instructions were to find information about “carpol tunnel syndrome” on the “wikipadia” site. Trying to be a good student, he spent a lot of time typing the words into the search engines, and wondering why the information was not being found. I saw his frustration and did a quick check to see what was going on. I just had to shake my head with irritation that someone, with the responsibility to educate children that I care about, does not have basic spelling skills nor even the rudimentary concern to use a spell-check with his assignments.
Most of my time was spent in simple interaction with the children, instead of assisting with homework. It is probably because of my ingrained ADD that keeps me from sitting down and focusing on a specific task, as further evidenced by some of my Saturday night sermon preparation. But they seemed to want to talk.
These are fine and appreciative young people, mostly of Hispanic background. Several of them were telling me that their teachers frown upon them speaking Spanish in class. And I can understand that the class interaction needs to be in English. But, apparently, even in informal and non-educational settings, their instructors tend to discourage non-English conversation. In my opinion, an educator should encourage students to embrace and be proud of their cultural heritage, even as they learn to be part of the broader American society.
Admittedly, several times I have found myself amidst a group of people conversing in a strange language. And sometimes I become paranoid. My mother-in-law insists, when she is in such a setting, that the people are talking disparagingly about her! And since I know her well, I admit such to be a possibility(just kidding, mom!). Seriously, I think such qualities as respect, trust, and love qualify as universal languages. If you treat others accordingly, then I do not think you have to worry about what they may say about you.
So, do we have a fellow t-Blogger who is good with 9th grade math? Would anyone like to listen to a second-grader practice her reading assignment? You can also help serve cardboard pizza and orange drink.
10.23.08 (9:58 pm) [
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posted by:
lorischuster (
reply)
post date:
10.23.08 (8:33 pm)
Several years ago I started two after school tutoring centers for at-risk kids through local churches. It was something I will never forget, not because of what we added to their lives, but what they added to mine. I remember hearing a second grader telling a friend how grandma was growing pot on her windowsill. My immediate reaction was to be outraged, but after listening week after week, I realized that Grandma was the stable one in the family and was keeping them clean and fed. I ran across some photos the other day and thought back on those faces and the experience we shared for a very short time. We ended each evening with a family-style dinner prepared by volunteers. I will never forget when we had our thanksgiving dinner and several of the children yelled out loud when I brought out the turkey--they had never seen one. The dinners were the highlight of the night, we were one big family and I hope that it impacted them even a fraction of how they impacted me. I wish I lived closer--I'd happily join you!
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
10.23.08 (8:50 pm)
Reply to: lorischuster
I wish you were closer. It would be fun!
Really, this is the project of a fine and loving lady who has an amazing burden for the children within her culture. She has found a way out of a very difficult life, and now takes it upon herself to reach out and love as many as she can who need the same pathway out. Simply, I tag along while she does the heavy lifting.
It sounds like your experience has left a deep impression. As you say, in serving others you receive even more blessings than you give.
Thanks!
posted by:
LadyG (
reply)
post date:
10.24.08 (12:32 am)
I can serve pizza.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
10.24.08 (5:22 am)
Reply to: LadyG
Come on! It's frozen, it is not good, and the kids devour it.
posted by:
fractalmom (
reply)
post date:
10.24.08 (6:59 am)
once you get past addition, subtraction, division and multiplication i am totally and completely useless.
but i would be there for ya LOL. I am a great speller!!
posted by:
LadyG (
reply)
post date:
10.24.08 (8:18 am)
Reply to: PastorDave
They love Pizza.
posted by:
bawdy (
reply)
post date:
10.24.08 (1:22 pm)
Nice jibe at your mother-in-law. I can see why English is encouraged in school. Children at French schools here are encouraged to speak only French at school. I'm sure it accelerates learning the language.
posted by:
surrogate (
reply)
post date:
10.24.08 (7:52 pm)
Damn. I could have helped with eighth grade math.
First semester, anyway.
posted by:
spook102956 (
reply)
post date:
10.25.08 (12:31 am)
I've pushed myself way further than I ever thought I could go with math. I've helped both my kids "dig out" math for quite a few yrs. I kind of became the "mom who knows math" for some of their friends too. Amazing what you can do for the love of a child!
posted by:
auntconi (
reply)
post date:
10.26.08 (12:13 am)
I do not like math, but I could neaten up the place when all the work is done ~ oh, and I'll also bring cookies!!!
