Tag 129 - Tutoring

Since last week I have been taking care of a pair of siblings, Isaac and Jossef, aged 10 and 12. If they show up, that is. Last week they only appeared for two out of four sessions. It's less out of malice but more due to their simple-minded nature. They simply didn't understand.

Neither of them can read, and I'm struggling a bit because I don't really know what to do with them. I managed to convince Keeley to give me two calligraphy notebooks - she says making copies is more cost-effective. But the simple copier in the office produces such poor images that you can hardly see the lines. For now, I'm having the boys draw all the letters. They are quite earnest about it - until the excitement dies down after half an hour. Then, especially the younger one, Isaac, starts bargaining with me about which page he can stop on. There's not much point in insisting, so just for the sake of it and to have the last word, I insist on one more page. Based on my experience, their enthusiasm wanes more and more within a week, once the children realize that this is a serious matter and that they sometimes have to do small homework assignments.