| Author | |
Mom21
Forum Rookie
Joined: June 10 2011
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 83
|
| Posted: March 08 2012 at 12:34pm | IP Logged
|
 |
|
My DS is almost 11 and in the 5th grade. Overall, he's a decent student, struggles some with math but does well in history and science. I don't know if this is even a problem, so to speak, but he is all about just getting the work done and that's it. He'll look at the schedule for the day and then work until it's all done, like the school day is one big checkoff! It's almost like it's just for the sake of getting the work done and not for the learning that goes with it. He has an out-of-the-home monthly science class and a weekly history lesson, along with sports and parish activities.
So should I just leave it alone or encourage more "learning." Believe me, I work hard at this but then I hear, "Mom, I just want to get this done!" 
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
JodieLyn
Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 06 2006
Location: Oregon
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 12234
|
| Posted: March 08 2012 at 1:24pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Oh I would love someone who wanted to get the work done vs being distracted or dawdling.
What does he do when the work is done?
__________________
Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Mom21
Forum Rookie
Joined: June 10 2011
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 83
|
| Posted: March 08 2012 at 2:30pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
He likes to build stuff, ride his bike, go for a walk with me and DD (dear dog!), watch old Emergency DVDs, play with the neighbors when they get home from school.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Angie Mc
Board Moderator
Joined: Jan 31 2005
Location: Arizona
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 11400
|
| Posted: March 08 2012 at 2:33pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I'm all for "getting the work done", especially when it is connected to skill building. Skill building takes time and repetition that can be mundane so I don't expect my children to love it but they do need to do it.
One way we increase engagement in "learning" is through giving attention to broad knowledge acquisition. This is where watching movies, discussions, reading, projects, field trips, and the like come into play.
When I was first homeschooling, I honestly felt like my children and I should be constantly engaged in active learning. Now...I see the beauty of finishing the math as quickly as possible to go practice baseball  .
Love,
__________________
Angie Mc
Maimeo to Henry! Dave's wife, mom to Mrs. Devin+Michael Pope, Aiden 20,Ian 17,John Paul 11,Catherine (heaven 6/07)
About Me
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Angie Mc
Board Moderator
Joined: Jan 31 2005
Location: Arizona
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 11400
|
| Posted: March 08 2012 at 2:41pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
We were cross-posting! Your son sounds like a boy who I would love to spend time with .
Maybe in addition to his regular school day checklist, you can have an additional list for enrichment. The 2 of you could brainstorm about ways to gain broad knowledge. For example, if he likes to build things, you could challenge him to create something related to his math or history with legos. Or he can branch off of his interest in "Emergency" type shows by watching movies of similar themes, based on books, biography, or history. Or, he could learn how to take videos, and take them on your walks, while looking for a new plant or bug to identify.
Stuff like that  .
Love,
__________________
Angie Mc
Maimeo to Henry! Dave's wife, mom to Mrs. Devin+Michael Pope, Aiden 20,Ian 17,John Paul 11,Catherine (heaven 6/07)
About Me
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
JodieLyn
Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 06 2006
Location: Oregon
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 12234
|
| Posted: March 08 2012 at 2:46pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
"Emergency" was a pretty accurate show about emergency medicine.. sure there's some things that have changed since then (no suction on snake bites for instance) but when compared to the actual practises at the time it was very accurate. My mom says that it was part of the inspiration for her and my dad in becoming paramedics.. TONS of learning in that show.
Building even without relating it to your current math or history is educational.. how else to figure out that you need to know what a right angle is, than having a wobbly corner? 
Walks are great too if you're noticing what's around you, the plants, animals, weather, how your dog acts etc.
__________________
Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
elynnmom
Forum Rookie
Joined: June 04 2011
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 56
|
| Posted: March 08 2012 at 7:40pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
My son, who is almost 9yo, is so similar! He'll even start math before breakfast so he can cross it off the list and get finished faster. But his motivation is purely to get it over with. Actually, one of the reasons we began homeschooling this year was to try to instill a love of learning in this DS and I'm afraid we haven't made any headway. When he finishes his school work, all he does is shoot hoops in his bedroom (one of those back of the door hoops), or try to get one of his siblings to play a game with him. For him, it is always about sports. So, I'm wondering about the same thing... I guess I wish he would capture on an interest in his school work and want to explore more during his free time. or draw. or write. or do something constructive on his own motivation. So, I totally understand where you're coming from and appreciate the wisdom of the other replies!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
JodieLyn
Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 06 2006
Location: Oregon
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 12234
|
| Posted: March 08 2012 at 8:55pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
There is so much you can relate back to sports.. nutrition, medicine, math (if you're good how are you gonna manage that money? and how will you know if that guy you hire is cheating your or not?) biographies of great players.. and coaches.. history of the games.. players and coaches going to war (women's baseball of course but also where did those men players go and what did they do)..
Sports is the draw in.. but you don't have to stop there.. you can use it to creat an interest in what was happening in the world and what they have to do.. and what other professions do they have.. what have they done when they retire from sports?
__________________
Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
elynnmom
Forum Rookie
Joined: June 04 2011
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 56
|
| Posted: March 12 2012 at 4:25pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Thanks so much for the ideas, Jodie. I'm going to print it out for future planning purposes! I'm also going to start another thread for book rec.s surrounding sports. We've had a bit of difficulty finding good ones. Thanks again.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
|
|
Forum Locked) 
4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: DS just wants to get the work done
