MCPS 2nd grade teacher assigned big project to be due in class on Nov 21st, day before Thankksgiving

[Anonymous]

OK, is this crappy or what? MCPS has an early release day on November 21st the day before Thanksgiving. DS's second grade teacher assigned a big project that includes an in class presentation on the 21st. This is the only assignment of this size so far his entire year. To the extent that grades matter in 2nd grade, it is clear that this will be an important part of their assessment. In second grade its a big deal to kids to feel like they missed something. There are no make ups or early presentations for kids who would miss the 21st.

If the curriculum was more intense or there were more assignments like this it wouldn't seem so bitchy but this is a teacher who assigns very little homework in general, never comes up with creative assignments like this, doesn't do regular spelling tests and tells the kids that it doesn't matter if they forget they their homework. Its seems very fishy that all of a sudden there is a bog assignment due the day before a holiday on an early release day.

[Anonymous]

Maybe she's tired of parents deciding that a half day of school doesn't count. It's still a school day and she still has to be there. My kids are always there. What's the big deal? It's a school day. Show up.

[Anonymous]

Maybe she's tired of parents deciding that a half day of school doesn't count.

This is what makes it so obnoxious. This teacher has never come up with an assignment like this before. Its clearly just to screw the kids whose parents decided to take an unexcused absence to travel for Thanksgiving and need to drive or fly out early than late afternoon the day before the holiday.

[Anonymous]

Strange especially when you review how many days of actual school they've had in November - between that and teacher conferences how do they manage to get their classroom prepared for a large project? Ours isn't they save that scale project for April when the class is in better shape to do presentations. Its 2nd grade I wouldn't sweat it.

[Anonymous]

It is second grade. hand in the project part the day before. if they get a bad grade, so what?

[Anonymous]

It is second grade. hand in the project part the day before. if they get a bad grade, so what?

They can't just hand it in. Its a craft thing that make at home on a character in a book and they then hold it up while making a presentation to the class. If they are not there then they can't do it and can't bring it in later or earlier.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is second grade. hand in the project part the day before. if they get a bad grade, so what?

Exactly. Not such a big deal.

In second grade, the only person the grades matter to is the parent. You know what your child has learned. If she gets a bad grade on this project, who cares? The grade has nothing to do with the work quality or ability of the child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

It is second grade. hand in the project part the day before. if they get a bad grade, so what?

They can't just hand it in. Its a craft thing that make at home on a character in a book and they then hold it up while making a presentation to the class. If they are not there then they can't do it and can't bring it in later or earlier.

They can take it in the following school day (Monday) if their parents call the school to say they are sick that day.

If I had plans to leave town early, and this were happening w/my second grader, I would call him in sick in a heartbeat. Really. That is an excused absence and he could hand it in the next day.

[Anonymous]

Based on the info given that does seem a little obnoxious, esp. if the teacher really said they cannot do the presentation at a different date. IME it's usually impossible for the entire class to present on one day anyway.

[Anonymous]

a great life lesson.

sometimes you make choices that impact your ability to do something. sometimes others make choices that impact your ability to do something.

explain to your 2nd grader that your family made a choice that they will not be on school on this day. that it was more important for your family to travel earlier and there are consequences to this.

it is not going to stop your child from getting into Harvard.

maybe you can have your child present the craft project to grandma - create a vide - and submit it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

It is second grade. hand in the project part the day before. if they get a bad grade, so what?

They can't just hand it in. Its a craft thing that make at home on a character in a book and they then hold it up while making a presentation to the class. If they are not there then they can't do it and can't bring it in later or earlier.

They can take it in the following school day (Monday) if their parents call the school to say they are sick that day.

If I had plans to leave town early, and this were happening w/my second grader, I would call him in sick in a heartbeat. Really. That is an excused absence and he could hand it in the next day.

Yes, start early to teach your kids that rules don't matter and that lying is ok. You sound very entitled.

[Anonymous]

Seems fair game to me and actually even makes sense. Half days don't seem as productive as full days and the teacher is making good use of the time. It is a school day, after all, not a day off.

[Anonymous]

I would speak directly to the teacher. "John will be traveling on Nov. 21. May he present his project prior to or after the due date?" Teacher: "No, I don't believe in traveling on Wednesdays, so I won't bend on this." Then I would either take it to the principal (if I felt like the teacher really is being an ass after the conversation), and accept the principal's judgment, or just express regret to the teacher that John won't be available to present his project. But I would definitely talk to the teacher, regardless of what the written guidelines say.

[Anonymous]

This really isn't that difficult. We aren't talking about a junior or a senior in high school for heavens sake. No one will ever care what grade your second grader gets on a project. I would let the teacher know that you are traveling on Wednesday and that your child won't be in class. Don't ask her permission. Just let her know. Tell her you would be happy to have him complete the project early, or he can have it ready to present on the following Monday. If she says no. Then let it go.

Also, don't call him in sick. I know it shouldn't surprise me anymore, but I'm still always disappointed to hear parents suggest lying. People who teach their children that it's ok to lie when it suits their needs really shouldn't be raising kids.

[Anonymous]

It is second grade. hand in the project part the day before. if they get a bad grade, so what?

They can take it in the following school day (Monday) if their parents call the school to say they are sick that day.
If I had plans to leave town early, and this were happening w/my second grader, I would call him in sick in a heartbeat. Really. That is an excused absence and he could hand it in the next day.

And the lying begins. If you're going on a family trip, just say you're going on a family trip. Sheesh.