looking for ideas on how to get my 13 yr old interrested in school and homework.any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Just wanted to let eveyone how things were going in the homework department.He had to take a state test of somesorts,for one of his classes that he was barely surviving in,and his score was thru the roof,I was shocked and I asked him,so you know this subject,he said ya, but its boring and I dont think I should have to do it. So I said thats fine, for christmas, he got a guitar hero, and I informed him thst as long as his classes and homework,were going to continue,the way they're going the only thing he was going to get to do with that guitar hero game would be to look at it in the box,and for every time I had to sighn something about his not doing his homework,he would have to owe me an extra chore around the house.For every bad report card he owes us $20,we pay $20 for every good report card(D's are not acceptable)since all this he has turned in all his homework,his teachers are happy and has shown improvement on his report cards.Its amazing how a guitar game and his not wanting to to do extra chores,or loose $20 has helped out. Thank you all for your great advice it has been greatly appreciated.
I have home schooled my daughter and now grandson, and I can say that for both, when they became the teacher they learned best. I would suggest being the student. Let your 13 year old refresh your memory by teaching you what they are learning. The subjects become exciting all over for both of you. The role reversal is good for self confidence as well.
Good luck!
Hi P., I can totally relate. I have 13 yr old son who struggles in school as well. He was a great student up until the end of 6th grade and now it seems to be a constant battle. We send him to sylvan which really helps, but it is definitely not a quick cure. He will do his homework with out any problems right after school, but turning in his assignments doesn't always get done. Sylvan found a ton of gaps in his math skills starting from as early as 3rd grade (we started him in 7th). He is currently in the 8th grade and still goes to sylvan. Most of my friends with older kids try to assure me it is a middle school phase and it will get better. For now though I feel like it is a constant battle of keeping in contact with teachers and making sure he turns in his work.
Bully issues? or embarrassed to get A's because they dont want the other kids to think they are a dork?
If that isnt the case get a friend, some soda and chips and let them study at the table.
Are you close to a Boys and Girls Club? They have something there called "Power Hour" Where the kids work on homework with tutors, and earn point for prizes. There are 12 school sites and 6 clubs in Portland. You can visit their website bgcportland.org to see if you guys are close to one. They have a couple in Vancouver too, but I don't know the website. It is only $10 a year.
Have you looked into Sylvan? I am an online teacher/tutor for Educate Online. It is a Sylvan company. I work with a lot of kids who are having problems in school. Sometimes the one on one individual attention helps them succeed and feel better about school.
Talk with him and find out what motivates him. Then use what motivates him to help him learn. Remember to be positive but real. You have to work with him. I'm sure you know now that you can't make him do anything he doesn't want to do.
Good luck.
I have a 13 year old niece I am very close with. (I had custody of her when she was a toddler until my sister was able to get her act together.) She was having some school/homework issues. Last summer I sat her down and discussed her future with her. I asked her to think about what she would like for herself when she grew up. (Good job, money, nice car, nice place to live, nice clothes, respect, etc. - essentially, things that appeal to teens.) I let her know the benefits/advantages of going to college. I explained that she could start applying for and receiving scholarships while she was in high school. I also told her that the better her grades, the more colleges would want her. I also explained that good grades, a history of volunteer work and scholarship money could get her into any college in the country she wanted to attend. She knows that I got my B.A. and my J.D. on almost a full ride - I got more than a $100,000 education with only $15,000 out-of-pocket.
What helped with my children was to sit down with them after school and do homework with them. I was going to school at the same time and would do homework at the same time.
When I was no longer going to school, I would have snacks ready for them and while they worked on their homework in the kitchen, I would make dinner. That way we were together and I could answer any questions they may have.
I will also add that I was not above bribing them. We would agree upon a goal and a prize. The goal was easy at first, say individual tests, and worked up to harder goals, like 1 letter grade improvement in one class. The prizes will depend upon the goal.
Work with your 13 year old to do research and projects that will make it interesting to them.
Good luck, it's not easy to keep them interested, but if you can capture their imagination they will work really hard. Remember...even if they are reading comic books...they are reading!
