Help with phonics

[jannedoe]

Let me begin by saying I'm not a teacher. I am a senior in college (English/Communications majors) who accepted a tutoring job last week. My "student" is a sixth grader who as far as I know has no learning disabilities and, according to his father, he has trouble writing papers... but his father insists I teach him phonics.

I have never taught phonics before and had I known that I would be teaching the subject, I wouldn't have accepted the position. Yet here I am, tutoring a child who refuses to speak to me (not even to tell me where he goes to school) or do any activities I try to give him, and honestly I'm not feeling very sure of myself after our initial meeting. I have no clue how to explain phonics on his level, how much he comprehends already, you get the idea. His father is supposed to talk to him and get him to participate next time, so I'm clinging to that little bit of hope.

Any advice on how to go about explaining phonics to a sixth grader? How to encourage him to participate? Or even better, some interesting educational games about phonics? :confused:

Thanks in advanced, and please forgive any spelling errors. I'm in something of a rush.

[Mr. H]

I don't get it... if he has trouble writing papers, why does he need phonics? In sixth grade he should be beyond anything so simple.. If anything he might just need some help with organizing his thoughts for writing a paper... OR he sounds like he might need counseling... Phonics is a great thing to teach to students who have trouble reading, I don't see how teaching him phonics will really help him write papers.

[jannedoe]

I agree, I thought phonics were for reading as well. The father buys all these workbooks for him (grades 1-4), has me run off pages from other books, etc. but refuses to listen when I say all this is below him and he zooms through everything with very little trouble.

The boy has opened up more to me now, and he's a very bright boy. After learning some of the boy's history, though, I've learned he was very spoiled by his mother, who is no longer at home now. At worst, I think he's lazy. Now the problem is to get his father to listen to my assesment... :confused:

[Mr. H]

He might just be acting out because he misses being coddled by a doting mother. Sometimes the parents need to be told about their children's difficulties and abilities from their teachers as well.. Have you connected with his teacher? There aren't any rules against that. Maybe he or she could have some insight, materials, advice etc for you with this kid. Chances are that the teacher knows more about the students abilities than his own father.