i have a 11 year old that is in the fifth grade and will be going to the sixth grade and he is in trouble with his school worka and he might not be able to go on to the next grade. i need some help with my son. i have had the teacher try to help him but he is not able to really spend time with him. i am a single parent of 4 boys and is not able to pay for help for my son so i was wondering if anybody might know of some free help.
Have you tried getting one of his friends or talking to the counselor at school to see if they have a tutor program available? Somethimes I have found kids who are older in the next grade up are ususally pretty willing to lend a hand with homework and if they were near your neighbor hood that would be a bonus. Maybe offer something simple as a dinner at your place for helping him pass? just a thought.
A., I would talk to the school. Ask for a staffing meeting. They are required to provide this if your son is having problems. They are allowed 30 days in the state of Illinois to address it. It could be your child has a learning disability and may need extra and or special help. Schools are very willing to work with families to get the kids the best education possible but you have to ask for and in some cases be willing to fight for your child's rights.
I don't know your schedule, or your children's ages, but if you can incorporate talking with him or getting him to talk with you during dinner-prep or waking early to be with him, or staying a little late, even 15 min makes a big difference -- that's like 3 hours for us, what with time taking so long for us as children and then zipping along as we mature:)
You might be busy, but you're the only mom/parent/role model he has. That individual time could help him know how much you care and are concerned, and with the other suggestions for in-school and mentoring, he would know how loved and supported he is -- attitude is everything! As my grandmother, raising 9 kids said, "you can be poor, but you don't have to be dirty and harassed":)
Best of luck to you both, mom!
Hi A.,
See if your son"s school has a Beta club, and if so, if they do peer tutoring. Or if the middle school to high school in your area has a key club that allows students to tutor for community service hours. There is usally no fee for this, since it's service. An added bonus may be that your son responds more readily to a peer or older student than he would to an adult, we have seen this in several cases at our school.
Good Luck!
K.
There is a mentoring program, called the Boys & Girls Club of America, or the "Big Brothers Big Sisters" organization.
Here are the links:
http://www.bgca.org/
http://www.bbbs.org/site/c.diJKKYPLJvH/b.1539751/k.BDB6/H...
It is REALLY good for kids, and for Moms who are single parents. It gives the child a male or female role model and help...mentoring. My friend, who is a single parent, has a son who was getting sort of like yours and had no direction. He just lacked a real good male figure in his life. A constant one. Anyway, through the Big Brothers/Big Sisters group, her son got a really great Mentor. And her son really gained positively from it.
It is both free.
All the best,
Susan
See if your sons school offers mentors- they come in during school time and help with his work. Or try the principle and see what he/she can offer. Usually schools have free help for kids having problems keeping up with the work. Good luck!!
I would talk to the school principal about having him evaluated so you can rule out any learning issues. Your school district has to provide you help. If he just needs extra help then I know most school districts require that teachers are in early and stay at least 30 minutes after school for just this reason. If this is the case then maybe you could bring him in 20 minutes early for some extra help and see if he improves. Also, check out the local high school sometimes students are willing to private tutor for free or very little money. Good luck!!
