Today's lesson was fun for me because we were able to go to spellingcity.com and I love this site. I have had such a positive response from both students and parents from it. Reggie took well to the site and really enjoyed playing some of the games. He was able to play the hangmouse game which helped him wrk on guessing the words using particular letters. Reggie of course got really competitive but it was expected and used as a motivator. I can tell we are making progress through each lesson and it is a great experience to see him learn right in front of you. It is so rare we get to work with students one-on-one especially at the age these kids are at and they really need the attention. I am just happy I was given the opportunity to do such a thing.
We read a book over John Elway which was a great story. I am glad Reggie and I share an interest in sports because it might be difficult to read and listen to expository text that I am not interested in. It just shows you how much of an attitude issue it can be when making someone read non-fiction about something they don't care for, it's rough and a struggle. Reggie answered his Bloom's questions accurately and did some deeper level thinking while completing the questions. It was like I could see his brain turning looking for an answer.
We really picked up the planning and brainstorming stage for our storybird story and it seemed like he had a real struggle with this. Reggie was considered to be creative on the learning styles, but I think with lack of organization he can't keep his ideas under control. This is definitely something that needs to be worked on, his organization of his ideas.
Next tutoring session I would like to focus on keeping Reggie's ideas more organized so that he may be able to focus on expanding his ideas rather than sitting and not being able to think about anything to do because he is a very creative young man and I would hate to see that his ideas not make it down on paper because they come up with some great stuff at their age.
I always look forward to the next time, I don't say this because it's what we are suppose to feel but I am genuinely happy to be doing this because these kids this age need us and the attention we have to give, no matter how busy or how much attention they don't want, or get from sports, etc. They love it!
Do you remember that I said at lesson four the sessions become more enjoyable. The reason is the tutor knows the format and the student and has personalized the lesson. The student knows the lesson matches him/her and starts to be more engaged.
ReplyDeleteYou have "bonded" with a common interest and goals. He does have some organization issues but that might be because someone has not shared with him ways to be organized. Organization can be learned but is usually revised at the end of the writing and not at the beginning.
I am so glad you are enjoyed this time. I know Reggie will because he is not used to one-to-one attention and planning. Have fun.