I found myself in an odd situation and I need advice

[wy_kid_wrangler04]

I have been asked by my friend to afterschool his daughter, which is fine- except we live in different states. :001_huh: OK... now I KNOW there has to be a way- we both have internet, but I need advice on how to. She is in 7th grade but struggling VERY bad. I have a 7th grader so I KNOW I could easily do this- I just need help with the how! Ok, so I found this (http://www.internet4classrooms.com/grade_level_help.htm) website- do you think a mix of using this website while having a chat window open would work?

Other advice? Thanks

[Cadam]

For writing ds and I use google docs. I make suggestions, corrections and a write commentary in a different color font.

What does she need help with?

[wy_kid_wrangler04]

For writing ds and I use google docs. I make suggestions, corrections and a write commentary in a different color font.

What does she need help with?


He said everything :confused:. I gave him the Spelling City website, coolmath.com and the internet classrooms but he said he does not have the patience to do this with her...

[strider]

Use Skype. Use video cam for when you need to be face to face. Keep a chat box open so that you can both type for clarification. My kids' online Spanish tutor is based in Guatemala, and this is the system they use. It's simple and remarkably effective.

[Cadam]

If it is everything I would be asking what her learning disabilities are. She needs an eval if she hasn't had one.

[wy_kid_wrangler04]

Use Skype. Use video cam for when you need to be face to face. Keep a chat box open so that you can both type for clarification. My kids' online Spanish tutor is based in Guatemala, and this is the system they use. It's simple and remarkably effective.

That is a very good idea! Thank you!!!! :D

If it is everything I would be asking what her learning disabilities are. She needs an eval if she hasn't had one.


He did say she is slow (he said at about a 9 year old) but the school has not said anything and he does not want to get her tested :001_huh: I really wish we still lived right by them... this would be so much easier!

[askPauline]

He did say she is slow (he said at about a 9 year old) but the school has not said anything and he does not want to get her tested :001_huh:

<said gently> So she's three years behind, the school either hasn't noticed or is ignoring it, the dad hasn't advocated for her in the system and is not willing to do the testing that will help pinpoint the issues, and you're volunteering to fix it all, long-distance, after she's done a full day of school?

:tongue_smilie:
Please go in with eyes wide open as to what you might be up against. If you take this on, might want to agree to a "trial period" to see how feasible the whole thing is.

[Shay]

[QUOTE=askPauline;2074520]<said gently> So she's three years behind, the school either hasn't noticed or is ignoring it, the dad hasn't advocated for her in the system and is not willing to do the testing that will help pinpoint the issues, and you're volunteering to fix it all, long-distance, after she's done a full day of school?

Said gently as well:
She is in 7th grade and yet functioning as a 3rd or 4th grader? I work daily (face-to-face) with kids who are years behind in reading. Typical sessions are 45 minutes long and that is *one subject*. If I had to tutor math, writing, spelling, science...... it would take hours a day. I could be wrong, but I doubt either of you are up for that (she probably has homework also). If any of my dc were that far behind, I'd be schooling them at home (1st choice) or they'd be identified and in special education (2nd choice). This is not "afterschooling" as most of us here are doing.

IMHO, she needs an evaluation followed by in-school help. You are a very caring aunt to want to help, but as the previous poster said, go in with your eyes wide open. However, if you find that all of her trouble stems from being a poor reader, you could point them in the direction of help with that.

[Cadam]

I admire that you want to help her, but she needs a full evaluation of her special needs, in-school tutoring and placement that meets her needs, as well as a knowledgable and caring person outside of school to help her with her homework (which you could probably do). You can be a piece of the solution but this is way bigger than one person could deal with, especially long distance.

If you have a good enough relationship, push in a bit and figure out why dad won't have her tested. If she is that far behind I would be the school has suggested it. Many parents are afraid to test their child for fear of a label or stigma attached to spec. ed. The thing is, with this kind of deficit, she is already labeling herself. "Stupid" "lazy" and "dumb" are a lot worse than "dyslexic" and "audio processing disorder" (or whatever).

If he gets on top of this now he may be able to stop it from following her for her whole life, maybe even into High School depending on what is going on. If he doesn't take it seriously now he risks her entire education. You don't get a do-over in High School for college admissions.

[wy_kid_wrangler04]

OK... You guys are right- I think I kinda knew that somewhere. I told my friend that I would help her with her homework but I really talked with him about getting her tested. It was the label he was afraid of but I told him about the labels she is already getting (thank you pp) and he said "I didnt think about that" So he is going to talk to the school he said-- I hope he does! I will keep you all posted! Thank you :grouphug:

[Cadam]

OK... You guys are right- I think I kinda knew that somewhere. I told my friend that I would help her with her homework but I really talked with him about getting her tested. It was the label he was afraid of but I told him about the labels she is already getting (thank you pp) and he said "I didnt think about that" So he is going to talk to the school he said-- I hope he does! I will keep you all posted! Thank you :grouphug:

That right there could be a huge impact in this child's life! Good Job!!