Homework that is busywork - does anyone else just say no?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't always like doing "family projects" but I don't want my kid left out. My parents didn't believe in helping out with any homework. They were not willing to buy any supplies beyond pencils and crayons. As a result I didn't turn in several projects and felt terrible. Now I go overboard with my kids. One son had to build a leprechaun trap in kindergarten. It was fun to look for a spring loaded toy part, find a shoe box, cover it, etc. it took a couple of days to finish so he learned about time management. He was so proud to turn it in. Everyday he comes home to say the leprechauns left glitter, or a little shoe, or there were little footprints by his trap. How sad for the kid who doesn't have a trap. Think about how your kid will feel, OP!

Yeah, I think some of these parents who resent doing projects with their kids aren't seeing the forest for the trees. They're probably the sort who let their kids veg in front of the TV while they sleep in until 11 a.m. on Saturday rather than get up and engage their children. I mean, seriously, the chutzpah of second-guessing teachers! Only in this area does this happen. The arrogance is astounding. Oh my God? You have to spend a couple of hours with your child CREATING something? How irritating and inconvenient for you!

pp here, just finished thread. I had a bad attitude about my 4th grader's 3-mo long project that has a weekly component due. I was upset at him for not telling me about it, and annoyed because I felt like I couldn't fit it in this week, but he couldn't do it by himself. Well, we sat down and scheduled time and actually had a very nice hour doing it together. We have been battling a bit lately, and I realized how easy it was for us to spend time together. It was fun, he was happy, and it was in on time. I needed an attitude adjustment and we are going to plan this weekend how to move forward with the rest of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't always like doing "family projects" but I don't want my kid left out. My parents didn't believe in helping out with any homework. They were not willing to buy any supplies beyond pencils and crayons. As a result I didn't turn in several projects and felt terrible. Now I go overboard with my kids. One son had to build a leprechaun trap in kindergarten. It was fun to look for a spring loaded toy part, find a shoe box, cover it, etc. it took a couple of days to finish so he learned about time management. He was so proud to turn it in. Everyday he comes home to say the leprechauns left glitter, or a little shoe, or there were little footprints by his trap. How sad for the kid who doesn't have a trap. Think about how your kid will feel, OP!

Yeah, I think some of these parents who resent doing projects with their kids aren't seeing the forest for the trees. They're probably the sort who let their kids veg in front of the TV while they sleep in until 11 a.m. on Saturday rather than get up and engage their children. I mean, seriously, the chutzpah of second-guessing teachers! Only in this area does this happen. The arrogance is astounding. Oh my God? You have to spend a couple of hours with your child CREATING something? How irritating and inconvenient for you!

You have it completely wrong. It is he chutzpah of the teacher to think they can dictate our private family time. School is for the classroom. Home is for families - cooking, chores, sports, free reading ...

[Anonymous]

You have it completely wrong. It is he chutzpah of the teacher to think they can dictate our private family time. School is for the classroom. Home is for families - cooking, chores, sports, free reading ...

NP here. Homework is necessary to reinforce the concepts taught in class. Children need to practice what they learn. Teachers are not trying to dictate your private time. They are trying to educate your children and they are the experts. If you have an issue with the content of an assignment, talk to the teacher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't always like doing "family projects" but I don't want my kid left out. My parents didn't believe in helping out with any homework. They were not willing to buy any supplies beyond pencils and crayons. As a result I didn't turn in several projects and felt terrible. Now I go overboard with my kids. One son had to build a leprechaun trap in kindergarten. It was fun to look for a spring loaded toy part, find a shoe box, cover it, etc. it took a couple of days to finish so he learned about time management. He was so proud to turn it in. Everyday he comes home to say the leprechauns left glitter, or a little shoe, or there were little footprints by his trap. How sad for the kid who doesn't have a trap. Think about how your kid will feel, OP!

What school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

You have it completely wrong. It is he chutzpah of the teacher to think they can dictate our private family time. School is for the classroom. Home is for families - cooking, chores, sports, free reading ...

NP here. Homework is necessary to reinforce the concepts taught in class. Children need to practice what they learn. Teachers are not trying to dictate your private time. They are trying to educate your children and they are the experts. If you have an issue with the content of an assignment, talk to the teacher.

Read the science - there is no evidence that lots of homework helps younger kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you disagree with the content of the homework, by all means approach the teacher with your concerns. But simply teaching your child that he doesn't have to do assigned work if mommy doesn't like it is NOT a good lesson.

No, I would be teaching him that in our family we do important things wih our time, like exercise, cook healthy meals together, and read.

Agree with your use of time 100%. I hate homework so much for young kids, I found a school that doesn't assign any until the older grades.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, because they really don't consume that much time and are good for establishing work ethic. Some of the projects are fun as well, i.e. getting creative with book reports, etc.

What are your kids doing instead of this "busywork?"

Don't they have six hours in school each day to establish that work ethic?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't always like doing "family projects" but I don't want my kid left out. My parents didn't believe in helping out with any homework. They were not willing to buy any supplies beyond pencils and crayons. As a result I didn't turn in several projects and felt terrible. Now I go overboard with my kids. One son had to build a leprechaun trap in kindergarten. It was fun to look for a spring loaded toy part, find a shoe box, cover it, etc. it took a couple of days to finish so he learned about time management. He was so proud to turn it in. Everyday he comes home to say the leprechauns left glitter, or a little shoe, or there were little footprints by his trap. How sad for the kid who doesn't have a trap. Think about how your kid will feel, OP!

Yeah, I think some of these parents who resent doing projects with their kids aren't seeing the forest for the trees. They're probably the sort who let their kids veg in front of the TV while they sleep in until 11 a.m. on Saturday rather than get up and engage their children. I mean, seriously, the chutzpah of second-guessing teachers! Only in this area does this happen. The arrogance is astounding. Oh my God? You have to spend a couple of hours with your child CREATING something? How irritating and inconvenient for you!

I would lose. my. mind. if my child (meaning ME) was assigned to build a freaking leprechaun trap. I have a full-time job; I do a crapload of housework, I read to my kid and play games with her and walk the dog and any other number of things. You know what, sanctimommy? I have a right to some free time in my life, too. My child will not wilt if she has to do some things on her own, and her homework is HER work. Not MY work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't always like doing "family projects" but I don't want my kid left out. My parents didn't believe in helping out with any homework. They were not willing to buy any supplies beyond pencils and crayons. As a result I didn't turn in several projects and felt terrible. Now I go overboard with my kids. One son had to build a leprechaun trap in kindergarten. It was fun to look for a spring loaded toy part, find a shoe box, cover it, etc. it took a couple of days to finish so he learned about time management. He was so proud to turn it in. Everyday he comes home to say the leprechauns left glitter, or a little shoe, or there were little footprints by his trap. How sad for the kid who doesn't have a trap. Think about how your kid will feel, OP!

Yeah, I think some of these parents who resent doing projects with their kids aren't seeing the forest for the trees. They're probably the sort who let their kids veg in front of the TV while they sleep in until 11 a.m. on Saturday rather than get up and engage their children. I mean, seriously, the chutzpah of second-guessing teachers! Only in this area does this happen. The arrogance is astounding. Oh my God? You have to spend a couple of hours with your child CREATING something? How irritating and inconvenient for you!

You have it completely wrong. It is he chutzpah of the teacher to think they can dictate our private family time. School is for the classroom. Home is for families - cooking, chores, sports, free reading ...

OP, you sound like an arrogant b**ch. Your kids' teachers must hate you. Nice values you're teaching your kids there.....are you going to fight these battles for them when they are in college too?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't always like doing "family projects" but I don't want my kid left out. My parents didn't believe in helping out with any homework. They were not willing to buy any supplies beyond pencils and crayons. As a result I didn't turn in several projects and felt terrible. Now I go overboard with my kids. One son had to build a leprechaun trap in kindergarten. It was fun to look for a spring loaded toy part, find a shoe box, cover it, etc. it took a couple of days to finish so he learned about time management. He was so proud to turn it in. Everyday he comes home to say the leprechauns left glitter, or a little shoe, or there were little footprints by his trap. How sad for the kid who doesn't have a trap. Think about how your kid will feel, OP!

Yeah, I think some of these parents who resent doing projects with their kids aren't seeing the forest for the trees. They're probably the sort who let their kids veg in front of the TV while they sleep in until 11 a.m. on Saturday rather than get up and engage their children. I mean, seriously, the chutzpah of second-guessing teachers! Only in this area does this happen. The arrogance is astounding. Oh my God? You have to spend a couple of hours with your child CREATING something? How irritating and inconvenient for you!

I would lose. my. mind. if my child (meaning ME) was assigned to build a freaking leprechaun trap. I have a full-time job; I do a crapload of housework, I read to my kid and play games with her and walk the dog and any other number of things. You know what, sanctimommy? I have a right to some free time in my life, too. My child will not wilt if she has to do some things on her own, and her homework is HER work. Not MY work.

I think you have a lot of anger and need some help. Seriously - it is building a leprechaun trap. You could make whatever you wanted - it isn't like yours will work better or worse than someone else's. What a killjoy. Helping a kindergartener for an hour or two over a week or two period building this trap could take the place of a few games. What is the big deal? Lighten up, lady.

[Anonymous]

Get used to it. Many people wind up in jobs like this. Routine stuff but someone has to do it.

[Anonymous]

Without making it personal against any one teacher, definitely have studies/expert opinions on hand (start with Alfie Kohn) and meet with principal/other administrators about your concerns about too much homework, especially those godawful busywork worksheets.

Sadly, sometimes schools are pressured by parents to assign lots of homework -- parents who don't know any better. Parents who DO know better have a chance to at least start this conversation at their school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Read the science - there is no evidence that lots of homework helps younger kids.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you disagree with the content of the homework, by all means approach the teacher with your concerns. But simply teaching your child that he doesn't have to do assigned work if mommy doesn't like it is NOT a good lesson.

No, I would be teaching him that in our family we do important things wih our time, like exercise, cook healthy meals together, and read.

You're teaching him that homework isn't important, that you find his assignments a waste of time. You're teaching him that he doesn't have to comply with expectations from the teacher. Don't go there. Talk to the teacher instead.

Your attitude will come through your child in the classroom. "mommy says I don't have to (do whatever)." Not a good thing to do to him.

DS had a teacher who assigned completely pointless homework, things that hadn't even been covered in class. I called him, we discussed it. We disagreed. I told HIM that if it was assigned simply because he could, it wouldn't be done. If it had a point -- fine. That was the end of the useless homework.

[Anonymous]

PP here (22:54) --while loads of homework doesn't help kids, having parents who are actively involved in their education does. Some of these projects can be fun! You get to see what gets your kid fired up at school, they get to see that what they do at school isn't just a waste of their time. I feel bad for kids whose parents can't be bothered to be involved in their education.

My 12 year old's class just helped the grade one's build their leprechaun traps. They had a blast doing it!