My 16yr. old brother, a freshman is having trouble learning his multiplication tables. What can I do?

Question

I drive him to school and wherever we want to go, buying way-too-large drinks at the convenience store that are poor for our health and everything, we are best friends. But he is Special Ed., and we are lucky to have him be kind, and helpful in every way he can. He plays jokes and understands his emotions well. Emotions. That's where we have problems. He is very capable, but he does not do his homework correctly, because hew thinks it is a funny joke. What kind of reinforcement can I use with him, to encourage good behavior(learning), and discourage bad behavior(joking)?

Big thumbs-up to you Sabrina, up and above the call...Jsomething, you seemed to insult my brother, saying he was simple-minded. Sucking up to me is recognized, 3rd answerer, and accepted with indifference. AH-ha-ha I said and i say it again here: AH-ha-ha.

Big thumbs-up to you sonaom...i don't know...too many "o"'s

I was suggesting playing teacher the whole time...have you been smoking pot Church?

Answer 1

First a general answer to your question: Set up a clear structure for your brother when he is supposed to work on his multiplication tables. You might consider making a contract with him: Let him choose a reward of some sort, which he will get ONLY when he completes the work.Tell him what time he will need to begin, how many problems he will need to get correct, etc. If he completes his end of the contract, he gets the reward. If he doesn't, he doesn't get the reward. It needs to be something he wants, and if he doesn't earn it, don't give in to him. He is 16 years old and he really needs to understand that choices have consequences. It doesn't matter if he gets upset - since you are his sibling and his best friend, the best thing you can do for his future is to help him take responsibility. He will soon be a grown up man, and he needs to understand that sometimes we all need to do things that we don't feel like doing.
A more specific question: Is your brother still working on the multiplication tables because it's an IEP goal, or what is the rationale? Often kids who haven't learned them by this age never will, and it might be time to teach him to use a calculator and to do functional math (making purchases, making change, reading a bus schedule, using a calendar, budgeting, etc.) If you aren't sure, check with his teacher, and when his next IEP comes around, that might be an appropriate goal.

Answer 2

The first thing I can say is set a time aside every night after school for homework. Many kids with learning disabilities do better with a structure. Sit down with him in a quiet room and help him with his homework. Try flashcards or mock tests to help him learn. Go over his homework and help him fix the mistakes. When ever he starts to goof off don't get frustrated just tell him in a firm but kind voice that it is not time to play around it is time to learn. Don't work for more than an hour or so at a time or else he'll get frustrated and upset. even if that means you have to sit down more than once a night. Talk to his teachers and see how they are teaching him. If they have a certain way of teaching then you don't want to confuse him by teaching a different way. Maybe his teachers will even be willing to work with you by giving you extra work for him to do over the weekend so that he doesn't get out of the habit.
Secondly, use a reward system... I sugest using a weekly chart. You can make one on the computer. Make a chart for each month. Every day that he does his work the way he should he gets a sticker on that day. At the end of that week if he gets all 7 days he gets a reward... Make it something worth working for. It could be anything from a special desert or a trip to the ball game or something else you know he would like. Make them good but small rewards then at the end of the month give him something BIG. Hang the chart in his room or on the fridge so that he can look at it all the time and he'll be reminded to do his work well.

Slowly things will start to get easier for him...
Good luck!

Answer 3

Here are some sites that have multiplication games. You will have to check them out first -- to see how difficult they are for your brother -- and to find out how to play them so that you can explain them to him, but since they are like games, he might be more inclined to practice....

you are a good brother/sister. Keep an eye on your brother, and don't forget to have fun!

Answer 4

He's simpleminded...so use simple things. He's childlike in that respect. What does he adore? Video games, soda, candy? He only gets it when he works hard on his homework and gets it done. Simple rewards work best. If he doesn't do homework, he loses the reward and gets punishment of some kind as well...such as sitting quietly and not doing anything....no tv, no talking etc for 15 minutes.

Answer 5

try to be patient and he will settle down....help him with math, a idea is to get him a calculator and show him how to use it. that should assist him so he does not get behind and maybe play teacher and work with him a little at home....

Answer 6

just yahoo "mobile multiplication tables" or other similar search terms. you will find a few companies that provide multiplication "flash cards" for your cell phone. your brother can learn wherever he has a cell signal.