Dear Teachers

QA DEARTEACHERS &

MATH CHALLENGED! COMPREHENDING FICTIONAL STORIES

QUESTION: My son hates math with a passion. Right now, he

is taking algebra for the second time and getting terrible grades. I thought math would be easier for him now that students have returned to school in person and are no longer virtual students. However, my son still struggles with math. He has a tutor at school twice a week, so it is difficult to understand why he is not doing better. Do you have any ideas about things that could be done to improve his math grades? – Weak in Math

ANSWER: Math is definitely a sequential subject, and if your son does not have a solid foundation, it will be difficult to construct the building. Obviously, the tutor has not been working on filling in earlier gaps in his algebra learning. If your son does not see how the pieces fit together, he will not be able to process the new information he needs to learn. The tutor is probably only helping him with the current problems your son is being assigned. More than likely, your son has one or more key math concepts he has not mastered that are causing a good part of his difficulty with algebra. This is the reason why tutoring may not help many students in any grade having trouble with math.

Your son needs to be given an assessment test in math that will pinpoint any weak areas (concepts) that are likely to be causing him to have problems with algebra. By addressing those, your son should be able to handle algebra better.

In addition, you should look into the possibility of a learning disability, as your son may be eligible for different support and some accommodations. Finally, you might want to look for a new tutor with a different approach to math. And be careful to watch your attitude toward math. If you hated it with a passion when you were in school, some of your attitude may be rubbing off on your son. Point out to your son that the more he works on math, the better he is likely to become. Some students really improve when they go beyond the assigned work to do additional similar problems.

BY PEGGY GISLER AND MARGE EBERTS

QUESTION: My child in third grade

does not always understand the fictional stories she reads. She frequently does not see what the plot is or the motivation of the characters. Earlier she seems to have had a better idea of what was happening because the books had a lot of illustrations. Is here any easy technique that might help her? – Seeking Help

ANSWER: There is something that you can do as a parent to help your daughter get a better picture of what is happening in a story. Your daughter needs to learn to form a mental picture of what is happening when she is reading a story. Start by reading a story to her. Do not show her any of the illustrations. Stop after a few descriptive sentences or a paragraph and tell her what you see in your mind about what is happening in the story. You can share a mental picture of what a character or setting looks like to you or describe what action is occurring. Do explain that your mental pictures help you understand the story.

Continue sharing your mental pictures as you read through the story. Then tell what you see and ask her to share what she sees. You will need to do this for some time before seeing mental images becomes a solid and helpful skill for your child.

LACKING SLEEP

PARENTS: You may be surprised to learn that your children could be sleep deprived. Elementary school children should have from nine to 10 hours of sleep per night. The effects of not getting enough sleep night after night accumulate and can even cause children to have problems in school. Teachers say they see children doze off in class, and the Association of Elementary School Principals reports that sleep-deprived children can’t concentrate on their schoolwork, have trouble remembering things, may become irritable and fidgety, and may be vulnerable to colds and flu.

Today, a major reason for children’s staying up too late is increased demands on their time. Your children may be involved in too many activities or may be assigned too much homework. Children in elementary school should usually have about 10 minutes of homework for every year in school. It’s also possible they are spending too much time on electronic media.

Sometimes, the reason children are staying up later may be physiological. As children move through elementary school, they will naturally fall asleep later even if they have the same bedtimes. This is especially true when they enter puberty.

© Compass Syndicate Corporation, 2021

Tips for Helping with Homework

Set up a homework-friendly work environment.

Schedule a regular study time in a cool, calm place filled with supplies. If your kids have the materials to be successful, that’s one less reason they might not finish their homework. Always have paper, pens and pencils ready to go. Eliminate or keep distractions to a minimum.

Things like the television, loud music and cell phones are okay for parties or social gatherings, but not so much for an effective homework environment. Be mindful of what you allow in a place of focus. If you allow distractions to happen, you’ll only blame yourself later. Trust me. Watch for signs of frustration.

It’s so easy to get caught up in whether the assignment gets finished or pushed to the side. But be conscious of the student—your child—and whether he is showing signs of discomfort or frustration. If he is, have him take a second to relieve a little stress. Deep breaths usually work. Inhale relief and exhale stress. Have him step completely out of the work environment and back into it when he’s ready. You want to make sure the assignment gets completed, but you also want to make sure your child is learning along the way. Stress free. Don’t do it for them.

Being suckered into doing homework isn’t as crazy as it may sound. Kids are tricky, and parents don’t like to see their children struggle. Especially if you can be their relief. But guiding them and completely taking over are two completely different things. Just make sure you let them do the work. If you do all the work, what exactly are they learning? Motivate, supervise and praise

Let your children know you care. Ask about quizzes and upcoming tests. Don’t hover over them while they do their homework, but make sure you’re available to answer or walk through any difficult questions they may have. Periodically check in to make sure the work gets finished. Let them know all the great things that come from finding out the answers themselves. Last but not least, PRAISE them! Encouragement goes a long way.

Jessica Samuel lives in Kansas City and is a freelance writer and photographer.

PRESIDENTS DAY

ACROSS MISSOURI AND KANSAS

Originally set aside as a day to honor George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, Presidents Day is now a day to remember and honor all U.S. presidents. Celebrate the presidency locally with these outings:

Special Events in February with Presidential Connections:

Jabari Dreams of Freedom Feb. 11 at Midwest Trust Center. Ten-year-old Jabari loves to paint. Through these paintings, he escapes the turbulent world around him and the reality of a friend’s violent encounter with police. In his dreams, he meets children and young people from the Civil Rights Era, including Ruby Bridges and Claudette Colvin, who teach him how to be fearless. He also meets his hero, former U.S. President Barack Obama, as a young boy on the eve of the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. JCCC.edu/midwest-trust-center/events A Toast to General Washington Feb. 25 at Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm. This adults-only event celebrates General George Washington’s birthday. Enjoy 19th-century tavern games and sample some adult beverages of the time. Pre-reg at Mahaffie.org.

The Man from Missouri: President Harry S. Truman: Harry S. Truman Presidential Library: The library reopened

in 2021 with newly renovated and fresh exhibits. The new permanent exhibit, “Harry S. Truman: An Ordinary Man, His Extraordinary Journey,” tells the story of Truman’s life beginning with his early years as a Midwestern farm boy who never went to college. It then follows his early careers and rise to leadership and examines his enduring character. The exhibit is biographical, inspiring future generations “to understand both the possibilities and the responsibilities of American citizenship.” Throughout the museum, guests experience the Truman era through historical exhibits, tour the Truman working office and visit gravesites. Hours: Wednesday through Saturday 9:00-3:00 and Sundays noon-5:00. Timed entry tickets are required and must be purchased online in advance. TrumanLibrary.gov Truman Courtroom & Office: The Truman Courthouse has a history that dates back to before Independence’s most famous (and only) U.S. president served as the presiding judge of Jackson County. Available for guided tours Monday through Saturday at 11:00 and 2:00. JCHS.org Truman Home: Tour the home where President and Mrs. Truman lived, see the famous apple green kitchen, simple furnishings and artifacts. NPS.gov/hstr

Kansas Likes Ike: President Dwight D. Eisenhower:

Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum: The

Eisenhower Presidential Library and Eisenhower Museum also recently celebrated a renovation and reopening to the public with brand new exhibits. The all-new 25,000 square feet of museum exhibit space includes recent innovations in technological components and interactive exhibits to engage audiences of all ages and learning styles. The site includes a visitor center, Dwight D. Eisenhower’s boyhood home, the Place of Meditation and the library and museum, all in a parklike setting. Eisenhower.Archives.gov

Presidential Statues and Artwork across Kansas City:

George Washington Statue: Located in Washington Square Park (Pershing Road & Grand) near Crown Center, the 16-foottall, 11,000-pound statue depicts General George Washington astride his horse at Valley Forge during the American Revolution.

Abraham Lincoln and His Son Tad Statue: Located on the south plaza of the Kansas City, MO, City Hall, the 10-foot-tall, 2,500-pound statue shows President Lincoln sitting in a chair holding a book and gazing at his son Tad.