Day 7 - How do you teach the unteachable?

 Happy Friday the 13th...in the spirit of this superstition,  we kept things really simple today.   After yesterday's kitchen fiasco,  I decided most of our learning would be online today.

Most mornings I have absolutely no clue as to what we are going to learn about. I really think it is best for best for all of us that way.  I still have no idea how to teach these kids.   I'm trying not to be too hard on myself as I had the most seasoned teachers throw up their arms and ask me for advice all the time.   How do you teach the unteachable?   Well you sure as hell don't start with a lesson plan. Sure I have the 50 states as a loose topic guide,  but which direction we go is up to the kids.

Lauren and I had a lot of fun searching the internet this morning for pictures of destinations in Arizona.  She played around with Google maps and exploring different areas in Arizona.   Then she decided she was going to make a list of all the places she wanted to visit.     Of course that list wasn't things like the Grand Canyon, Lake Powell or Lake Havasu... no, she wrote down a list of every hotel that had a cool swimming pool.   

Meanwhile,  Zach,  the ornately, obstinate reader, powered through an 84 page audiobook about life in old west Arizona.     Halfway through listening to his book,   I told him he could stop.  But he powered on saying that it was the best book he has ever "read"!    

That was my win for the day.  Zach is an extremely hesitant reader, learner...do anythinger.   He struggles with both reading and writing to the point of "Just Mercy!"    We spent the last 4 years of his public school education working with the school staff to find ways just to engage Zach slightly in the environment. 

Zach spent years in the a Reading Buddy program which pairs inspiring college teaching students with struggling readers.  He has had special education in reading and phonics since 1st grade.   Progress has been very slow for this sweet kid.   Some days I just wonder if we should give up the fight and let him lead this dog and pony show. 

This here, THIS is my real struggle.  All I see on this homeschool facebook group posts is that "my kid is so bright and I need to find the best curriculum for them".  No one is saying -  "my kid is such an a-hole,  how do I teach this monster?"  Now that would be a thread I would follow.  How do you teach the unteachable?

Don't get me wrong I love this child insanely, he is my nemisis and my redeemer wrapped up into one uniquely challenging but amazingly spirited and sensitive dude.   He is everything I love about my husband and everything I hate about myself wrapped together in a 9 year old body.

How do you educate the kid that best, most seasoned teachers have given up on?    My mothers intuition says to just trust that he will come around but it is so hard when you have a kid with an advanced brain that can't do kindergarten reading or writing.