Ah-Ha moment...or maybe more like a DUH moment

We've entered the world of homework.  Well, not just...we've had homework all year, of course, but it hasn't been until just recently that homework has become...well, a lot of work.

Colin was uber excited to have homework.  Couldn't wait.  The first sheet came home September 1st with instructions to complete at least 3 of the weekly assignments each week to be returned October 1st.  Colin wanted to turn it in the next day.  {He's nothing if not impatient.}  The monthly homework assignments are meant to be habit forming...to get the students used to nightly homework.  It's all fairly simple.  Write 5 words ending in -ing, do 10 sit-ups, go to the library and check out 3 books, read someone a story... et cetera.  Of course the assignments have gotten a bit more challenging as the year has progressed...not to mention lost appeal to my once eager student.

I hated math growing up.  H.A.T.E.D. it.  Was horrible at it.  I would have rather put my hand in a running blender than sit and work on math homework.  Colin loves math.  Colin loves to read.  Colin hates to write.  He has a tough time with spelling so naturally does not have fun to sitting down to write.  Who wants to do something that makes you feel stupid?  Not me...blender, remember?

So, homework has become a bit of a problem.  For one, I have required that Colin do all 5 weekly assignments, not just 3, because somehow any activities requiring writing were being left unfinished.  For two, we got a Wii for Christmas, and who has time for homework when there is Lego Star wars to be played?  So, the writing assignments began a new level of stress.  And I found myself becoming a human dictionary...how do you spell parade?  how do you spell library?  how do you spell place?  These are words that he should be able to spell...at least attempt to spell, himself.


Now, to defend myself a bit, I'm pretty frazzled most days.  I've got balls in the air all over the place.  And, apparently, have lost a great deal of common sense.  Enter my mother...Gigi...experienced and armed with the BEST answer to my {our} problem:

Tonight Colin had an assignment to write a story about a snowman and read it to someone.  Not one tear.  Not one eye rolled.  Not one "it's not fair!".  He wrote the story.


                                  He was given the power to do it himself.  And he succeeded.

Thanks Gigi!