It's getting to be that time of year again. The newness of the textbooks has worn off. The excitment of a new subject is gone. It's about time to start losing our enthusiasm. The girls are old enough now(mature enough now) where they have learned to concentrate, but the boys are smack dab in the middle of this wonderful phase where they are more often than not, "no longer with us." You know what I'm talking about. I don't think there is a child out there that doesn't go through it. The moments where you are in the middle of a lesson, and ask a very simple question about what you just said, and get the blank stare. "Hellooo. Are you in there?"
Or the assignment that lingers on for hours. They stare at the blank page, fully capable of completing the task, but no modavation to begin. The girls will say, "This isn't hard. Just focus and get it done. You could have been done by now." Which is so funny to me because I used those words with them not too long ago.
That's what it comes down to . Focus. But where does it come from? I know how to buckle down and set my mind to something. But how do you force/modivate/inspire/teach someone else to?
Breaks are sometimes a great way to recharge, expecially for a young, energetic boy. But giving too many breaks can also be taken as a reward if given out too easily.
Sometimes I will stand over their shoulder and point to each problem. Somehow, just my finger placed there helps them to focus, maybe because it breaks up an overwhealming page into bite sized sections. The minute I step away from the table, they are staring at the ceiling again.
Sometimes a simple time limit snaps them out of it. There is no reward or punishment given along with the time. I will say, "You have 5 minutes to finish this row." but never fallow it with, "and if you don't, I'm, um... grounding you from Super Mario Brothers Galaxy." Ouch! That would hurt. But I find, nothing more is needed than to just give them a time limit. A goal.
I want to know what has worked the best for you. If you're a commenter. (I'm not latley, I've gotten too lasy) But if you have a minute, and an opinion, I'd love to hear your "head in the clouds" remedies.
8 comments:
I throughly enjoyed reading your post..
I have done some of the same things you've done... With one of my boys, who's recently started doing jobs with a man from church has had to turn down jobs. We found taking away the Wii or setting time limits with him just didn't work, because he knew at this time each day he was going to leave and work. Well, since this job isn't regularly pd job we told him, ok you don't stay focused, and get your work done, you won't go with Bro _____ to work today. Now that did him in. That was his time away from the younger ones. So he is doing much better on staying focused.
Stacy,
What I often do with our boys (who are 8 and 7) is take turns reading a question, or a line or whatever subject you are doing. I read one, they read one. That way it is not so overwhelming for them. Also, offer much encouragement when they do read their line, or finish the question, but I'm sure you already know that :).
Cindy
Haven't found that "magic" thing, yet. Timing seems to work for Robert MOST but not all of the time.
Side note:
I went to check Robert's homework on Mon (from Fri) and realized that he had only gotten 3 pages out of 20 done at school. Really? Only 3 pages!!!!!!! 6 hours at school and you only got 3 pages done. Needless to say I was VERY disappointed and let him know it. Didn't scream or yell...although I very much wanted to...but he knew I was upset.
Took away privileges and low and behold he got all his work done in about 3 hours (this is great for him.) It's not just your boys or the fact that you homeschool. It's just trying to find that punishment/reward/incentive that works. Robert is sooooo unmotivated. Rewards don't work for him, he doesn't care, but taking away stuff/privileges does.
Let me know if you find a motivational tool. I might want to try it! :)
:D (no comment, just a great big smile)
We unschool at that age and are AMAZED how much more motivated they are to actually learn than when we tried to force the workbooks.
No advice. Lego guys still invade the school table. My twin boys are almost 15.
HI Stacy,
While I think it is important for a child to learn to focus, I know that some days it is hard going. I have found that on those days, getting the work away from the workbook helps...for example, doing math problems on a chalk board, or on a large peice of paper on the floor. I remember allowing one child to sit UNDER the school table to do spelling words...and putting review cards on the stairs(reading them as you go up and down) or hiding flash cards in the living room to hunt for and read when found. Maybe a little lego car could drive around the page (follow the lines) as the boys read...a fun thing only if they read and don't play.
This was good for me to think about again. Getting creative is much better than getting mad!!!
~Gwenda
Great ideas, guys! I need to start thinking silly like you, Gwenda. Fun ideas like that would really pull them back.
The advice is encouraging. Keep em coming if you have any more thoughts.
And, yeah, the Lego guys are regulars to our school table.
That just made me think of something- I have spoken directly to the toys nearby, too, as if their Lego character or puppet on their lap was the one doing the work. "Now, Pirate Peach, stop goofing around and get your work done." Pirate Peach always says "yes, mam." and gets right to it. Though sometimes he has trouble holding the pencil. :)
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