Really Upset at My Little Brother

[KentDog]

I have two little brothers who are nine year olds and in the fourth grade. They live with my parents in another state and I only see them about twice a year (this does not change the fact that I love them both deeply, as I have always felt like a father to them).

I was talking to one of them today on the phone and apparently he has an overdue science project (it was due last Tuesday). He has until next Monday to turn something in. I asked him to email me a copy of his writeup, and I do realize he is only a fourth-grader, but I am shocked at the garbage he turns in. It is the following dribble:

"QUESTION: Can A knife cut an ice cube in half?

Materials:
1. Heavy Book
2. Steel Fork
3. Tape
4. Plastic Bottle
5. Thin Wire
6. Aluminum Foil
7. Ice Cube
8. Water

Conclusion: I learned that a knife canâ??????t cut through an ice cube but a wire can. The wire could have slipped or snapped or even broke the fork in half! My Hypothesisâ??????s data matched my Conclusion.

Hypothesis: I think a knife will not be able to cut through an ice cube because it is as frozen as earth and very c-c-cold.

1. I got all materials.
2. I set up everything.
3. I did my project the first time.
4. I did my project the second time.
5. I did my project the third time.
6. I recorded my data on a piece of paper.
7. I then copied it on internet.
8. I then printed it out.

So thatâ??????s my procedure and steps I used to do my science project on water."

After I read this crap, I probably overstepped my place a bit and chewed out my mom for not having looked over his shoulder and making sure he actually did his project. I'm still waiting for her to send me a scan of the teacher's criteria sheet for this project, but it is pretty obvious to me that my brother didn't do the actual project. Again, I know he's a kid, but it pains me to see this crap.. thinking he can fool an adult in believing he actually did this project. And also keep in mind that his project is nearly a week late, so he has already gotten to see his classmates present.

What do you all make of this? And how should I proceed from here, keeping in mind that I cannot physically oversee any of this, and that I will be spending most of my day in the office tomorrow catching up on work.

 

[CORUM]

i think it is great you are taking such an interest in his education

 

[KentDog]

It's just a bunch of random thoughts put together poorly.

He even attempted to make some sort of pie chart at the bottom with three even sections labelled "Distilled," "Salt" and "Tap" (mispelled as "tape"). And the last page consists of only a picture of ice cubes ripped off from Google image search.

 

[KentDog]

i think it is great you are taking such an interest in his education

Thanks, Corum. I really wish I could take a far bigger part in their lives, but I feel so hopeless living 1,400 miles away. And phone calls are only phone calls; no way I can get the whole story when they always say they are doing really well in school. Neither one of my parents supervise them. They just tell them to do their homework when they get home and that's it. Last semester one of them got a C on their report card. A freakin' C! How can you get a C in elementary school?! In my eyes, a big part of this is moving to a crappier school. It's pretty obvious their school system is worse than their old one given that I have looked at their homework before and from asking them questions about their teachers and classes. They did so well at their old school, and the teachers loved them. It pains me to see my kid brothers are not the top 2 or 3 students in their class at this age like my older brother and I were.

I am strongly considering calling their school on Monday and trying to set up a phone conference with their teachers. Maybe I can arrange some sort of grade notification every week or so, as well as points where they can improve. It would be really cool to see a teacher willing to put in that kind of effort toward one of their students.

 

[KelJu]

Hahahaha, that is some good bullshit.


Younger children usually have it easier than their older brothers. I guess a lot of it is that your parents are just so tired from raising you and your older brother. You tuned out well so they are putting your young brothers on autopilot.

 

[maniclion]

Sounds like you may have to end up in a Mission Hill type scenario times 2 with your little bro's living with you so they can go to a better school and you can keep an eye on them....