Teen Forums - Teen Chat, Teen Help, Teen Advice & Support

Urgh.
I'm desperate right now seeing as I can't teach my brother. He's in Year 6 in Primary School and he can't figure out why Speech Marks are used or why Comma's are used.
I've told him, time and time again but he's just not getting it.

I can't think of any other idea's of how to get him to pay attention and get him to learn. I learned that kind of stuff in Year 2 and I can't see why he can't get it but I keep on trying. Maybe I'm pushing too hard?
But I'm putting it simply, "A speech mark is used when someone is speaking", and yet when I ask him a couple of minutes later he says he doesn't know.

It's so frustrating when one minute he gets it and then another he just forgets. It's like it literally goes in one ear and out the other.
Thanks to it I've come to the decision that I'll never, ever become a Primary School Teacher. ._.

So... I'm asking for a little help~
Any idea's on how to get him to learn?

Oh, and sorry if this is in the wrong section. I wasn't sure where to put this... D:

Hiya Kerry,

Good for you for (trying!) to help your bro here. It's sometimes a humbling experience...

I think the best way to teach someone (esp. when they're younger) is to explain things based on their level of understanding or maturity, not yours. So, although your explanation here is technically correct, it's likely heard as gibberish to a Year 6'er (go back and re read it, listen to how it sounds). This is a common failure of teaching, btw, really bad teachers forget who their intended audience is and what their natural capabilities are.

So, maybe something like, "A comma is like a pause, it's even shaped like one there, come look (and then draw one, exaggeratedly)....it sorta looks like a wave in the sea, it slows you down". Or something to that effect.

It's always easier to try to see the world thru someone else's eyes first, it gives you the perspective to really 'reach' them.

*Smiles*

Thanks~

I'd like to say that I'd tried that... well, I have to some certain extent but I don't think I've done it enough. I drew pictures for him and lines showing him where they're placed and given him ways to imagine them but... I don't know, I think I could do it differently.

As strange as it sounds, I just don't understand how... I know the age... but... when he uses his brain and concentrates he can understand so much~

I found out that his class has got Revision classes on Saturday so I'm planning on going to watch and see how he concentrates. I have a feeling he's getting distracted by friends. :/
I'm going to keep on trying and I'll try even harder to go down to his level and see through his eyes~

Thanks for the advice, it's extremely appreciated~