I want to explain why learning is important...
I want to explain the value of building upon what you already know...
I want to understand the way she thinks...
I want to go back and explain multiplication tables...
I want to ask her to explain to me what something means in words...
I want to stress the importance of reading comprehension...
I want to elaborate on the lesson that all things are connected...
I want to make her excited and not discouraged by learning...
I want to figure out a way to explain things that I think are so basic...
I can't do all these things. There are equations listed down the front and back of the page. So instead I say in my most gentle voice, "Oh, actually, can you think of what goes into 21? Besides 3?" And I work from there.
I kind of understand your frustration. I'm teaching pre-algebra to a 24 year old man.
ReplyDeleteSometimes you can just drill information into a person and some other people may make you feel that all attempts are futile. The first and most basic point you have to get across is that you are there to help them understand. You aren't there to judge them and you aren't there to do their homework.
Often enough, you aren't the only one frustrated. They're frustrated as well when they can't understand it and over time they try to reject it in its totality (which is what we want to prevent). If they reach that point, it becomes a two front war where not only do you want to help them understand, but you also have to fight with them to fuel their interest, which may have been shut down long ago.
I find that the easiest way to find that interest is to make the teaching interactive. Personally, I find this to be one of the most demanding aspects because it requires creativity, organization and a lot of planning. Every individual is unique and the interactivity has to be adaptable to their needs and preferences, which takes time to observe.
Also, people learn differently too. That's why some of them won't get it no matter how hard you try. You have to change your teaching strategy. The four learning archetypes that I'm aware of include: visual, auditory, teaching and writing. Some people are a mix, others have emphasises, and fewer are incompatible in a particular category.
Don't be disheartened if it takes time to figure it out. I personally like to write up my own lessons based on the content that they are learning from. It takes a lot of time, but it interprets the content so that their mind can process it.
If she can't communicate with words, have her try to teach you? Also if she's in the tutoring program, it's likely that traditional teaching won't work for her, so it might be beneficial to bend the standards and try something new.