Ask the Teacher chat with Ron Fletcher
Ron_Fletcher: Greetings. A new year finds us smack in the middle of the school year, with seemingly no prospect of snow days. Sigh. I look forward to your questions.
Nancy: My DS does "OK" in school but has not found any subject that interetsts him and puts in the absolutely bare min. required. He will be going to middle school next year and I really want him to take more of an interest in school. How can I motivate him?
Ron_Fletcher: We teachers sometimes debate if it's possible to teach curiosity. I tend to think it is--well, at least among the younger students. Consider the activities that most interest your son and which subjects they overlap with. You could get into the geometry of hockey, the geography of some of his favorite Red Sox players' places of birth. Music, of course, offers its own rich history. Start with what he most enjoys and reveal its scholarly dimensions in subtle ways. Good luck.
NJA: Is it worth studying or doing any review for the MCAS? This is the first year my kids will take the test, they were in private school before. I want them to do well but it seems daunting to study for such a huge test. They are in 3rd and 5th grade.
Ron_Fletcher: Your instincts seem right. The prospect of studying for a statewide standarized test could overwhelm a third or fifth grader. That said, a familiarity with the format of the exam and a sense of what will be expected of them could ease their anxiety. Let their current teachers know that this will be your kids' first experience with the MCAS. I'm sure they will manage to allay their--and your--concerns while providing an apt intro to the exam.
ferrari: Re: homework in middle years (5th- 8th grades): what is a proper amount of parental "guidance" on home projects? I would think they are supposed to be 100% responsible for own work, but both my kids tend to do the very least possible, not really caring about grades or the product. So we tend to "help" them maximize their project, at least hoping for whatever learning they can scrape out of it. Is this completely off base?
Ron_Fletcher: Not off base at all. While the content of the homework may fade from the minds of younger students, the habits and approach do not. Doing the minimal is a dangerous modus operandi for the young student, one that can hobble him or her throughout high school and, perhaps, beyond. I encourage you and your wife to use a light touch when checking in on your kids: you want them to grow independent and you want them to realize that success in the classroom is authored daily--and nightly. Continue to help your kids see the worth in what they're doing. Good luck.
Ron_Fletcher: Well, light traffic this afternoon. Quality, not quantity: I appreciate the thoughtful questions. Thanks for checking in; I hope you visit next month. Take care.
ferrari: Thanks, appreciate your viewpoint.
Ron_Fletcher: Thank you! Off to class--some James Joyce for the seniors....
