I am officially usurped by my eldest son’s homework. Sure I feel like an idiot when sitting down and going over his grade five math sheets and not really coming up with a comprehensive explanation to his mental road block. I mean I get the answer, but to me the questions being asked are so vague, so verging on incoherence, that my literal nature wants to type in the correct way to ask the question to make the answer easier to find. I mean its math, the interpretations of actual raw data should not be that difficult to seek. You have pluses and minuses and pattern rules and eventually you have answers, but the way the questions are asked, you would think they are seeking a roundtable discussion featuring 10-year old’s opinions on how this answer should be attained. Gah!
At least his hair is no longer getting in the way of his brain.
The question I asked my increasingly emotional and frustrated son (matching me fist clench for fist clench), was if his reason for not understanding was:
A) He just doesn’t get it and we need to seek more focused help
B) He is wiping boogers on his friends and not paying enough attention when the lesson is being taught in class.
C) His teacher is handing out math sheets without truly explaining the route to the answers.
Hud replied it may be a bit of the latter two options and while I want to give him the benefit of the doubt, I will support the teacher until I am proven otherwise. Hud admits to talking in class, which is pretty bizarre considering he mumbles everywhere else, and when I ask him how his teacher is explaining these math problems, he says he does not remember. An excuse I will not tolerate until I start finding roach clips in his pencil case or burned knives buried in the backyard.
There is also a remote possibility that I am a complete impatient jerk when trying to help him doing his math homework. Steph sauntered in last night after a late night photo shoot and within minutes was able to figure out the math sheets and convey the explanation to Hudson in series of hugs and high fives. Leaving me to grumble – “they told me there would be no math” – and go back to cooking my homemade macaroni & cheese & broccoli casserole.
Which is freaking awesome by the way.
Yes, I am sulking in my own pool of creamy, cheesy validation.
Are you a homework helper? How much do you get involved in the nightly ritual of school work?
Homework gets in the way of family time and primarily does nothing but take away any chance a child has to develop a love of learning.
How many of us look back on our years of education and remember all that we learned sitting at a desk doing work at home? We look back and remember teachers, peers, debates, hands on work, interaction…real world stuff.
Bah humbug homework.
I’m going to be screwwwwwwwed. Will asked me this am how spiders make webs. What the hell. I have no idea! When it comes to math this is going to be insanity!
Dudes, I am right there with you! Last week, my kid had over 2 hours worth every night. Yes, he’s a tad slower than some of the others since he’s Anglo, but that’s not the whole story – the sheer volume is insane!! And still, I do wonder if it’s right for me to “correct” what he’s ready to turn in if it’s wrong… I mean, if every kid in his class has trouble with the same kinds of questions, and the proof is in the incorrect/confused homework, then should that not indicate to the teacher that this area needs better explanation during the day? And seriously – aren’t they in school for long enough each day? Why must they do so much more at home? If they can’t finish that day at school, then should it not be picked up again the next day AT SCHOOL?! Uch.
Your dinner looks delicious, hon… save me some?
I am trying to encourage my 13 year old to be more independent with his homework. But seriously? I almost lost MY MIND last night. With fidgeting and long breathy sighs accompanied by the peppering of questions and constant hovering it did not end well. I really have to ask myself sometimes how this kid manages to get by let alone do well in school.
If you get any advice that helps let me know. Whether I am helping officially or otherwise I can’t seem to escape!