finding tutoring time

This was much of why I pulled ds for 6th gr and homeschooled

It IS difficult, especially if you have other children. I felt all his time and too much family time was being taken

Perhaps you could ask the school to cut back on homework because of the tutoring

I know I eventually let spelling go. It was kinda a no brainer anyway. No matter how much time we spent on the spelling list, even if he did well on the test, 2 weeks later it was gone. Eventually I didnt help him with spelling and let that grade go-instead that time went to reading tutoring

Yes — just do the minimum homework she can get away with and tell her that the reading tutoring is her homework. The school teacher may not be happy but she isn’t happy now, so what’s the difference? Memorizing spelling lists does little good anyhow.

Two strategies have worked for us.

1. I would think carefully about the homework. Lots of stuff can be done much quicker with help. Keep in mind what your goals are. If it is truly busy work, help. In third grade, I would put priority on reading and math and pretty much ignore the rest. Some things my child could not learn—learning the bones of the body comes to mind. I decided it was just fine if he flunked. Actually, lots of kids flunked. I just was one of the only ones not upset about it.

2. I have been very careful with activities. In third grade my son only played soccer. He went to one week day practice. He joined boy scouts a year later but we had a troop which did activities on the weekend.

Beth

We tutored on the weekends and limited my child to one sport and one other extracurricular activity.

I believe it is good for a child to have at least one outside activity. I would caution you about adding a third activity during the school year if your child needs tutoring. I think a child who is behind must have the tutoring as a high priority. There are some parents who even arrange for early dismissal from school so the tutoring won’t overburden the child. I;d definitley ask for a reduction in homework during that time. But like Beth, if they won’t, I’d just help your child get through it rapidly.

Realistically, you have little time to lose. I’d save the guitar lessons until summer and make the reading your highest priority.

Janis

If guitar is a source of enjoyment *and* self-discipline, I’d probably make homework sacrifices first.
Four years down the line, which things are going to be of the most benefit? Ten years?
Yea, I’m in the camp with the folks saying “Make priorities.” If those **skills** get in there, then learning the other stuff will be infinitely more efficient. A bad grade or two this year — if earned in full knowledge of their reason — could be the sacrifice for much better grades later.
I’d even consider picking her up early or taking her in late.

about helping! LOL…I do the word searches. Guess what, folks — dyslexics, even those who are reading at Grade level whose spelling is rapidly catching up to their reading skills…HAVE TROUBLE with word searches! I used to ignore these in elementary, as absolutely beneath our notice and useless, but now my son is rapidly progressing to the point that his teacher was shocked to hear he ever ‘had trouble’ learning to read. (HOO HA that was sweet, folks! I grin just thinking of her face!)

I hate wordsearches! But I do them! While he reads…or does other homework. Sometimes I do them ‘with’ him, if time allows — to model and practice the skill of ‘searching’.

I agree with all the good advice above. Marks do not define you — they tell you where you are and where you need to go.

And most of my friends who have ‘not LD’ kids are also struggling with homework load — I prioritize all homework, and even in Gr. 6 I occasionally write ‘sorry — DS worked xx on this and was unable to finish’ Will catch up tonight’. Or, if I don’t consider it ‘important enough’ work, I leave off the ‘catch up’ note! I help silently where necessary also —we have our own goals, and don’t need to stick to the schoolboard expectations so strictly…part of being a responsible learner is knowing your own limitations, and prioritizing…just teaching my boy what he really needs to know…

Once teachers get an idea that you are there, supervising, and backing them — most, in my experience will allow the parent to modify the HW provided they sign off on it, even without an IEP. (Although he is visually dyslexic and qualified for ‘services’, we have no IEP! another story)

Best wishes and welcome to the forum…

I hate them too and my LD son cannot do them for his life. Usually his second grade brother does them for him!!!! The second grader is impressed with himself and his fifth grade brother is relieved (as am I!)

Never thought I’d be so “flexible” about homework but I too have learned to keep the big picture in mind.

Beth