Solving problems, big and small

Andrew Edwards

If you’re feeling troubled, overburdened or just plain confused,

there are people out there who are willing to help.

Less expensive than therapy and more accurate than those psychics

who advertise during daytime talk shows, there are third-graders at

Oak View Elementary who have tons of helpful advice.

The children are not ghost writing for any well-known advice

columnists, but teacher Lori Ross enlisted students’ aid in solving

some fictional problems similar to those faced by everyday elementary

school students.

The assignment was to read a letter describing a childhood

problem, like learning to play sports, needing help with homework or

having a dog that doesn’t like to take baths. The students paired up

to think of a solution and wrote a reply letter outlining how to fix

the problem.

One of the letters was from an aspiring soccer player named

“Sara.” Sara wanted to play the game, but the boys who played soccer

would not let her take the field.

The solution, 8-year-old Antonio Flores said, is for Sara to find

a some new playmates with a better sense of team spirit.

“If she likes to play soccer she could play with some friends that

play fair,” Antonio said.

Another question was posed in a letter from “Carlos.” Carlos

needed a helping hand with his homework, but his parents were not

able assist him since they do not speak English.

Carlos should find someone else who can help him, 9-year-old Mayra

Rodriguez said.

“He could go and find a friend,” Mayra said. “Or they could ask

another teacher to help him.”

Homework was also a concern for “Marco,” who unlike Carlos did not

want to do his homework. Marco was worried because he played video

games at his friend’s house instead of finishing his assignments and

lied to his mom. But he was about to get busted when his teacher sent

a dreaded pink slip home.

The children’s solution for Marco was simple, if he wants to stay

out of jams, he has to be honest.

“Marco has to tell the truth to his mom,” 8-year-old Jessica Velez

said.

Nine-year-old Yesenia Ballinas tacked the problem of a stinky dog.

Yesenia offered her advice to “David,” who couldn’t manage to give

his dog a bath.

David needed to be a little sneaky with his dog, Yesenia

recommended, by “tricking him by giving a bone.”

The strategy worked for her when she had a dog named Bobby, she

said.

When students tackle real-life situations in their assignments,

this can help them better remember their lesson, Ross said.

“It kind of helps them cement the learning if they tie it in to

something they’ve already done,” she said.