Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What grade is this? I hear you, but it is hard for me to relate because my three sons always enjoyed doing things like this and didn't view it as a chore.

My son also hated all these projects... it was awful. The teachers all assume all kids love them. Some find making these things REALLY stressful.

Some kids find the more academic stuff really stressful and can thrive and enjoy themselves doing more artistic projects. Seems like a fair balance.

Sounds to me like the issue isn't so much the Valentine's box assignment, but the overloading of assignments overall.

Anonymous wrote:What grade is this? I hear you, but it is hard for me to relate because my three sons always enjoyed doing things like this and didn't view it as a chore.

My son also hated all these projects... it was awful. The teachers all assume all kids love them. Some find making these things REALLY stressful.

Target has them too:
http://www.target.com/p/valentine-s-day-mailbox-white-spritz/-/A-51375934

Get some stickers or print something off online and glue it on. Done

It has to be covered with white people? Does your kid go to Trump University?

Michael's has white valentines boxes with pre cut holes!!

You have two weeks to do this. I think you two could have wrapped the box in time it took you to post. It's a stupid assignment, but why complain about it?

Not a real problem and if your kid is freaking out about it then that means you have an anxious or overscheduled kid and that's the real issue.

Anonymous wrote:This seems like an absurd assignment. What's the point, exactly?

Perhaps to suck the life out of what should be a fun activity. If you want to encourage creativity don't have so many requirements. Here's an idea, it can be extra credit if a kid wants to go to town with it. It's a nice way for a creative child who is struggling to get a little extra credit for a science theme valentines day box. However, if a kid can do the work and hates this sort of thing then let the kid write her or his name on a box and call it a day. This is not a useful learning activity so stop trying to stifle creativity and freedom.

This seems like an absurd assignment. What's the point, exactly?

Anonymous wrote:It's super easy to wrap a box. I don't know the "right" way to do it (if there is one) but I've done it and it was very easy. Don't worry about that part!

I can wrap a gift box, but not a lid and bottom separately. It's amazing I still got a Ph.D,

It's super easy to wrap a box. I don't know the "right" way to do it (if there is one) but I've done it and it was very easy. Don't worry about that part!

5th grade. Yes she got the assignment in advance, but around that time she has multiple tests and a project due. She burst into tears telling me she has 1 more thing to do and she sucks at arts and crafts.

Oh and it came with a grading rubric! Every year it gets more ridiculous and I am stuck trying to help her wrap a box. I don't wrap boxes. I wrap gifts and that is it.

What grade is this? I hear you, but it is hard for me to relate because my three sons always enjoyed doing things like this and didn't view it as a chore.

sorry NOT voluntary, it's an assignment expected to completed just like homework is

Every year we get guidelines for Valentine's Day boxes that are so detailed it's insane. It is made clear this is voluntary, but something every kid must do. These kids have a lot of homework and tests. Not every kid enjoys making a box that must be:

-Shoe box completely covered with white people-nothing showing through (Neither I nor either of my children have a talent for covering shoe boxes with paper)
-Slot big enough for cards must be cut (How about they be allowed to open the shoebox for cards?!)
-Decorations must involve (fill in blank) theme
-Please use multiple colors
-Name must be prominent in contrasting color

How about you let kids bring in brown lunch bags and decorate only if they chose. How about the kid write his/her name on a shoebox and let friends open said shoebox and insert card rather than have my child stab herself trying to create the right size slot.

It's Valentine's day. It should be fun. No need to be so controlling. I'm all for insisting if you give cards, you must give to everyone. I'm even fine with no candy. Just don't create busywork!

Vent over.