My mom gave me such a great article from the Wall Street Journal yesterday. Nothing wrong with Grossology & Diary of a Whimpy Kid series, but shouldn't boys be challenged with more?! Boys can be just as literate and hungry for education as girls. But the gender gap that the WSJ article talks about was very evident in my 5th grade classroom as well as most of the students I tutor. They happen to be boys.
This article happens to come with great timing. One of the students that I tutor is a sophomore at Foothill and struggles with reading and getting homework done. The mom doesn't work so I'm not sure how the boy gets away with playing WOW and not doing his homework. Or how the iPhone and Macbook are still in his possession even after his grades are low enough to kick him off the football team. Both the boys are super sweet and kind but have no work ethic or motivation. It is just so sad. I guess I'm fortunate enough to get a realistic view of what not to do and the direct consequences of not making your kids and school first priority.
I'm not sure why it happens to be somewhat of a disaster in their house. It's always clean when I come. They have plenty of money and lots of gadgets. They are all very well put together with expensive clothes. Drive really nice and shiny cars and just remodeled their home. The mom's parents live next door. But I have to be quite persistent about scheduling our tutor time. If not, then I get a panic call about a huge project due in a few days or how the teacher has been kind enough to let K make up all this work he didn't complete. Then K and I work like 8 hours the next few days trying to bust it out. It's harder now with a little one and trying to be there for them last minute. Last year, I had dreams about the Odyssey after finishing a long weekend session.
Sometimes it's really hard for me to separate myself and let it go. I want to help him feel empowered and successful. But I can't check in on him daily to make sure the work is getting done. I can't be his mom. My heart breaks for this family as now they are struggling with drugs and rehab for their oldest son. And the mom is just ridden with guilt over this and K's drinking episode last year. It's hard because these things could happen even in families that are tightly bonded. I wish I could do something for them beyond praying for them. Of course, these current high school events don't necessarily solidify what their future will be like. These are struggles I don't have experience with and I'm not sure of their outcome. I can't help but be nervous for them.
As far as reading goes, I've started at square one with K. During our time together, I read aloud to him. All I ask is that he take down a few notes while I read. Just yesterday, we picked up a book that he needs to finish for a project. His teacher sets aside reading time during Fridays, but he's become so frustrated with the book. He told me he's read the first page multiple times and is so confused by it. He wanted to give up on the book. I struck a deal. I'll read the first half of the first chapter and then he could decide. We read. He understood it when we stopped and discussed. And it turns out to be a very interesting book. He decided to stick with it.
As I was getting ready to go, I told him to read aloud to himself. It might help block out any other distractions. I was happy to see him still reading while I left. It's never to late, right?
