Ds14 is having a hard time remembering things he's done this year.. It's always been like this but he's getting into the upper grades and it's becoming more of an issue. I thought that he was just not trying.. Now I think it's something more. I don't know how to help him. I think maybe he needs to be learing a differant way than what he is.. All our work is done by reading. He's not retaining it at all.. I've had him doing Jump In! from Apologia for writing and has the hardest time doing it So I purchased IEW video writing intensive B and he told me he REALLY liked it.. Translation "mom I get it now".. I was surprised... We are doing Math U see for math and even though there is constant review he forgets how to do the problems.. Monday he had review on 4 digit multiplication and forgot how to do it.. (((((sigh)))) He hates using the blocks and other manipulatives so we have skipped that.. Any suggestions on how to find his learning style?? This is driving me CRAZY!! I feel like he is wasting his time with his curriculum. He is learning just not as much as I would like him to be.. If I read aloud to him he does better, If he reads he can't remember a thing he reads.. I know he can read and I know that he can comprehend.. HELP please.. I feel like I'm failing my son.. Angela
I am sorry that you are having a hard time. I truly believe that you are not failing him. Being willing to constantly try different methods is being a great mom and teacher. I would say, to continue trying things. My DD has a VERY difficult time remembering anything because she has short term memory loss due to having epilepsy and damage to her front temporal lobe. With her, we repeat, repeat and repeat. It takes her a lot longer to get through things but eventually she does it and gets it and remembers and comprehends. I know that it can be frustrating and a tad bit annoying (at least for me) but you are doing what it best for your DS and that is what matters. If it makes you feel better, we have been through 1 chapter in each subject since August! That is just how she learns, very slowly.
I have studied a variety of memory books and programs. Basically, the brain works in pictures. If you teach your son how to put what he's learning into pictures, he might retain it better, especially if the pictures are funny or outrageous. I did it with my youngest daughter. She memorized all of the steps of the Scientific Method in about 10 - 15 minutes. I wish that I could explain the whole process here, but it would take too long. You might want to consider getting the book, "Super Memory, Super Student" by Harry Lorayne. It's one of the sources I have used to learn about memory. As for learning styles, here is a rough guideline: Visual learners like to read. They prefer to write down things they hear to learn better. Color coding can work well with them. They prefer maps to verbal directions. Auditory learners like to listen to lectures. Reading out loud to themselves helps them learn. Things like rhymes, poems, and songs help them remember. They prefer verbal directions over maps. Kinesthetic learners like to do things hands on in order to learn. They like to be in motion. They sometimes need to walk around while studying. I hope all of this helps.
It can be so difficult to figure out how each child learns or how to best work with their learning style. Keep up the good work Mama! I wish that I had advice but I'll leave that to the pros.
Observe your son when he is NOT doing school work. How does he learn? What does he enjoy doing? Does he use his hands a lot? Does he enjoy being artistic? Who is your son outside of school? This should help you find his learning style.
Angela he is 14 my ds is doing the same thing he cant remember things, maybe its the age they are at. We have been mixing it up, me doing some reading with him on his lessons and then the drive thru history has helped a lot! We watch some videos with science but mostly he does that through SOS, he is not retaining much in some classes but is more in others. Take some time to sit with him and go through some of the classes on a somewhat regular basis. This is working to get my ds through the bumps and I question him verbally as we do the lessons at least once a week and mark off the questions as I go right or wrong etc. I want him to learn the stuff but I don't want him to stress over it. Kwim? So you are not failing he is a freshman in highschool this year! Age wise they would have had him doing all kinds of things he would not be remembering in class because of the big changes in schools, so don't worry too much. Math U see is set up so you get to do it as many times as you need. When ds forgets the way to do something we go over it again in the text , then if he still cant recall we watch the video again. This usually works.
