Passing English III
Her name is #1. She was enrolled in English III. She was the loner type. I never saw her talk to other people, smile, or work with others in group work. When students had to get in groups, everyone else would move their seats, but #1 would stay put. Also, in her English III class, the students had to do a lot of oral speeches. This wasn't #1's cup of tea. So, she would stay put in her seat, once again, and take a zero. She was behind in her lessons and would not ask others for help. I was so surprised when she accepted mine.
On our first tutoring session, I felt the tension. I knew this would make or break our tutoring relationship. My goal was to make her smile, just one time. I knew that if i could make her smile, I had a chance. So, I began things by explaining to her what work she needed to make up and what we had to do to get her caught up. The very first thing I did was praise her, to no extent, on how proud I was of her accepting my help.
During our tutoring session, we began laughing at her teacher's handwriting. Neither of us could read it. I began joking and rambled off words that one word looked like. She thought this was funny.
I accomplished more in that one session than what I had set out to accomplish. #1 did more than smile, she laughed! I told her our goal was to get her up in front of the classroom to give a speech. I told her, "If you want to get through this class, you have to get up in front of that classroom." I also asked her, "What would you rather have, a good grade for giving a speech or a zero?" She said, "A good grade." We went to work.
As time went by, I saw more and more changes in #1. She was studying, doing her homework, talking to other students, making friends, and she gave a speech in front of the class! I was so proud of her!
As the semester came to a close, #1 accomplished all of our goals. She passed English III and she gave four or five oral speeches!
#1 received a D in her English III class. I know to some, that may not sound like a very good grade, but her grade went from a 25% to a D in just a few months. Also, she went from being a quiet loner to a young lady whom now has friends, works with others in groups, talks to other people in the classrooms, laughs a lot, and smiles.
I guess life's not bad after all. Like I said to #1, "It pays to try." She replied, "Yes, it does. Thank you."
From the beginning, he loved coming to my room for tutoring. He missed a only missed one time tutoring due to behavioral problems. He was well below average for his age and grade. He could not read on a second grade level. he could not count money or tell time. Bobby is a bright child and a very gifted story teller.
In the last week of November, I decided to try something with the children I am tutoring. I wrote a christmas play just for the 22 who were at-risk of failing in school or dropping out. These children were very excited about being in a school play. This surprised me. We worked several weeks on the play and the children were coming along very nicely. the children ranged in ages from kindergarten through sixth grade. Almost all of these children could not read above second grade level. It was very difficult for these children to learn their lines. The children would talk about the play and bring ideas and enthusiasm to rehearsals. They were being tutored in Reading and didn't realize it. Bobby was not given a part in the play because of his inability to focus on a task for any given time. He came to my room one day crying. He asked me why was everyone in his room in the play but him. It was very difficult for me to look at that face and not tell him the truth. I explained to him that he was too active and could not concentrate on the work he was given. Also, I told him that he would be under too much stress to learn the lines and perform before the entire school. Bobby was not to be pacified with this explanation. I wrote in a small part for him and told him what he must say. He let me know that he wanted his own copy of the play so he could read it and know when to come in and do his part. He also later added more lines to his part. He learned every word and every move. He did his part with enthusiasm and perfection. I was very proud of him.
when Betty Karrick came to observe and take pictures, he was not about to be in the background. He stood up and said, "Take my picture first Betty! Mine first!" He wanted her to take the whole roll of film with him in every picture.
Since returning to school after break, Bobby has shown some strengths in the tutoring sessions. I have his attention for 15 minutes of the session. He has made remarkable improvement in counting money and telling time. Before, he would miss 10 out of 10 in math. Now he only missed 2 out of 10 problems. He has shown much improvement in his behavior. I believe that he realized he could prove he could handle the job. He has shown me and the school that Bobby can do it. This child has been helped through our program.
When I left that Wednesday, things looked good. Friday, the test was taken. When I returned the next week client 402 was very down, sad, and upset. He/she missed the word "Pilgrim". The two of us started over. We worked harder using the same deal as incentive. The weekend before christmas break, client 402 took that weekly Spelling test. I wondered all weekend! When I returned, on Monday, December 15th, I recieved a big surprise! The spelling test was displayed on the classroom door. On it was a very large 100%. Client 402 was at the top of the world. I got the biggest hug!
That Wednesday, client 402 and I had a party. He/she also promised to keep up the hard work. Maybe there will be another party soon!
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