Struggling for Solutions
By: Sam Schulte
After visiting the Lexington Public Library three times to volunteer as a tutor with Homework Help, I have a lot of thoughts bouncing around in my mind. Some of my frustrations have to do with myself, some have to do with the kids, and some have to do with homework assignments.
#1:My own lack of understanding
I'm paired with a student and we sit down and I ask, "Alright so what are we working on today?" The kid pulls out a couple worksheets, maybe a grammar workbook, or a math packet. Every time I immediately think, "Okay, this will be easy. He's in second grade" or "Oh! Pre-Algebra? Simple" Every single time, I am wrong.
Last week I was paired with a sixth grader named Rahena. Her only homework was one math worksheet so I figured we would only be working together for a little bit, half an hour at most. Boy, was I wrong. The math worksheet was all about finding the LCM (Least Common Multiple) and GCF (Greatest Common Factor). I had a flashback to my own sixth grade class and remembered learning the exact same concepts. However, as I stared at her worksheet, I was flooded with the realization that I had no idea what to do. She stared at me waiting for an explanation of the problems she had circled. The math was so simple and I couldn't even do it! I had to call Drake over and ask him how to do the first problem because my mind was blanking. After he showed Rahena and I how to solve the problem, the information came flooding back, but I was still aggravated. "You're in college math?" she questioned. Yeah, maybe it's time to do some brushing up...#2: Students' lack of motivation
One of my biggest observations since beginning to volunteer with Homework Help, is the absence of motivation in the room. It's pretty common to look around and see students with their head buried in their arms on the table, right on top of their homework. Honestly, it'd be hypocritical if I said that I never did that when I was younger. However, it makes me kind of sad that kids are so unmotivated and annoyed that they can't even complete a couple of homework assignments.
During my most recent visit, I worked with a boy, Carlos, on six math problems. He told me upfront that math was not his favorite subject, and that he frequently confused addition and multiplication. Twenty minutes later, three problems in, Carlos was banging his head against the table. "My brain hurts" he kept repeating. "I hate math! I'm not even good at it" he whined. I felt sorry for him. "You're halfway there! Come on! I know you can do it, you just finished those first three problems!" The only solution I could think of was to try and motivate him, and I guess it must've worked a little bit because fifteen minutes later we were finished. On the way home I decided that my major goal for this semester is to help the kids get excited about homework. Or maybe not excited, but at least motivated enough to not repeatedly bang their heads against the table.
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| He is ecstatic to finish his homework! |
#3: The homework assignments
Oh, the homework assignments. To the best of my recollection, my homework assignments were never super confusing or more difficult than the level I was at. So when some of these kids pull out their assignments, I can't help but stare at the paper and confirm with the kids that it was in fact homework.
Two weeks ago, Jacob was working with a girl who was a freshman in high school. One of her homework assignments was an economics crossword puzzle. When they told Bobbi and I that they were having trouble figuring out the solutions, we immediately jumped in with the assumption we could finish it. However, instead of scribbling in the answers, we sat there with a befuddled look on our faces. We googled every definition and tried every possible answer, but nothing would fit. To make matters worse, there was no word bank! So, thats the story of how a 9th grade crossword puzzle stumped three college students and the internet.Overall, Homework Help has been an enjoyable experience so far. While there are times that I get frustrated with the kids or myself, it's really hard to stay upset when I'm there. The kids are so friendly and they're always finding ways to make me smile. Last week a boy I was paired with wouldn't stop talking about how he loved to color, so when we got to the last page in his packet and found out he had to color in balloons, his face lit up! It made my entire night. I can't wait to see what the future Mondays have in store at Homework Help.
Upon reading this post I immediately saw a connection between the second and third issue. The lack of motivation portrayed in the second is usually solved by teachers giving out "fun" assignments like the crossword in the third. The issue is that these "fun" assignments may be complicated or not directly related to the class. This makes them hard and more work for the student. Sometimes a simple assignment that may not even be all that related such as coloring balloons is all that is needed. I bet that boy was much happier with his homework overall, and by having that positive association with school will be able to learn more effectively than the student who dreads math or one who spent extensive effort on a "fun" assignment. From your knowledge of working with these 3 kids, or others that are similar, does this seem to be the case?
ReplyDeleteNoah Gochnauer
Wow! Now that you mentioned it, that could definitely be the case. Thinking of this on a personal level, I know that I used to get those assignments all the time. In high school, we would call it "busy work". I don't think this issue applies to all the students, because some of them simply lack motivation and don't want to do their work. However, some of the work that I've had to help with seems to have no lesson or academic concept related and that could cause some of the kids to lose focus.
DeleteReading your first issue, I completely relate. I used to help my younger sister (4 grades behind me) and it never failed that her homework, math especially, stumped me every time. I would go into it expecting to fly to through the homework, yet I could never remember how to do it. And if I could remember, I didn't know it well enough to teach it to her. It seemed crazy that I could be in calculus, yet I couldn't help my sister with her pre-algebra homework. How do you think that this experience has effected your view on the efficiency of homework and even some teaching techniques used for these children?
ReplyDeleteHonestly, sometimes it seems like the teachers didn't even teach the concepts. Kids will pull out their homework, and I say "Okay, show me what you know" and they shrug and stare at me like they've never seen it before. In that case, homework isn't really effective since the kids don't even know how to complete it. I've noticed that the only way to really make sure we can work together effectively is when they're really focused on homework. If they are distracted and talking to friends during the tutoring sessions, I can tell that they aren't learning very well.
DeleteReading the first bit of your post gave me an instant flashback to being a tutor in high school! I worked at a math and reading facility, and students would come up to me to ask questions about things that I should have known how to do. I totally feel that GCF and LCM pain. I'm wondering, how do you feel that this experience is giving back to you? Do you feel like you are benefiting from this service as well? Sounds like a great organization, I hope it continues to go well!
ReplyDeleteI definitely feel like I'm benefitting from this service! Many of the kids come from disadvantaged families, and I know that even if the kids don't necessarily understand why they're at homework help, the parents are grateful that someone can help. Many of the students' parents cannot speak English so they really can't help with homework. It makes me feel great to know that I can help kids that wouldn't have help otherwise.
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