My first grader had to decorate a pumpkin to look like his favorite book character. Not allowed to carve. He chose elephant from the E&P books. I had no idea how to let him do it himself, so I helped.

How would others approach this? Hand him some markers?

Anonymous wrote:if you think the art projects are bad, wait until science fair.

By the time they are doing science fairs they are usually older and ready to research and complete the work themselves. I might proofread. I might offer constructive criticism.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In second grade I see this type of activity as a family activity. We all work together on decorating the pumpkin and then my kid would write about it. We have fun with it. I really don't think the teacher is grading on the pumpkin decorating, so why stress about it? If I want to do this as a family, it should not impact you. Now, if the directions said that the 2nd grader had to do the pumpkin by himself, I would do that- but that would be strange.

If it's a "family activity" then the directions would say, "this is a family activity." It's not. It's homework....which is done by the student.

Geez, lighten up. Since when is decorating a pumpkin "homework that must be done by the child." if this mom wants to decorate the freaking pumpkin with the kid and that makes them all happy, then live and let live. No educator would say that this kind of collaborative activity MUST be done alone, in fact I think that's kind of contrary to basic teaching.

If it is homework, it is meant to be down by the child. Period. Unless it says otherwise. Stop justifying not having your kid do thier own work. And, there is a huge difference in collaboration and the parent doing all the decorating and the kid writing. You can see that right? Collaboration would be two kids working on it together. Or mom helping the kid with ideas how to decorate. Not mom doing it.

Yes, it would be sort of missing the point for the parents to take over the project and actually do the work for the kid. A collaboration, where the parent is involved but not actually taking over the project is appropriate in my opinion.

Ask the teacher!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I helped mine to plan the steps of their projects. If you break things down into small steps and show them how to put those pieces together you would be surprised at the kind of results that they can get.

But why won't you let them do the project, start to finish, on their own?

It depends on the project. Ex: A 1st grader might bring home a "Create an Animal Habitat for a Fox" and list 3 interesting things about your animal.

I could either take a completely hands off approach and let them figure that out for themselves or I could suggest some steps for them:

1) Look at some pictures of fox habitats. Print out some pictures.

2) Look up 4 interesting facts about a fox and their habitat.

3) Figure out what you can use to make the fox habitat. (Maybe some twigs from the yard, some Spanish moss...)

etc......

By the time they're done they've done a mini research project and created a pretty darned good approximation of an animal habitat.

If my 1st grader brought home an artwork assignment - "Make a my favorite things poster". I would probably give them art and craft supplies and let them use the printer to print out pictures if they wanted to. I would also probably look over their writing to make sure that they are using complete sentences, proper spelling, etc.

I'm a teacher and my kids do all their own art and science projects. I help them learn concepts if they need help but I'm not crafting or gluing letters on a poster board.

Kindergarten, yes. Thereafter, no.

Anonymous wrote:We don't help at all but we're on child #3.

Haha! Us too!

(Hangs head in shame)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In second grade I see this type of activity as a family activity. We all work together on decorating the pumpkin and then my kid would write about it. We have fun with it. I really don't think the teacher is grading on the pumpkin decorating, so why stress about it? If I want to do this as a family, it should not impact you. Now, if the directions said that the 2nd grader had to do the pumpkin by himself, I would do that- but that would be strange.

If it's a "family activity" then the directions would say, "this is a family activity." It's not. It's homework....which is done by the student.

Geez, lighten up. Since when is decorating a pumpkin "homework that must be done by the child." if this mom wants to decorate the freaking pumpkin with the kid and that makes them all happy, then live and let live. No educator would say that this kind of collaborative activity MUST be done alone, in fact I think that's kind of contrary to basic teaching.

If it is homework, it is meant to be down by the child. Period. Unless it says otherwise. Stop justifying not having your kid do thier own work. And, there is a huge difference in collaboration and the parent doing all the decorating and the kid writing. You can see that right? Collaboration would be two kids working on it together. Or mom helping the kid with ideas how to decorate. Not mom doing it.

Anonymous wrote:In second grade I see this type of activity as a family activity. We all work together on decorating the pumpkin and then my kid would write about it. We have fun with it. I really don't think the teacher is grading on the pumpkin decorating, so why stress about it? If I want to do this as a family, it should not impact you. Now, if the directions said that the 2nd grader had to do the pumpkin by himself, I would do that- but that would be strange.

It would be strange for your child to do thier own work? You know the family can getbthierown pumpkin and decorate it right?

It Actually impacts all of of us who allow our children to do thier own work and projects because they are then embarressed by thier work instead of proud. They do not understand that parents are helping.....or should I say justifying cheating.

if you think the art projects are bad, wait until science fair.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In second grade I see this type of activity as a family activity. We all work together on decorating the pumpkin and then my kid would write about it. We have fun with it. I really don't think the teacher is grading on the pumpkin decorating, so why stress about it? If I want to do this as a family, it should not impact you. Now, if the directions said that the 2nd grader had to do the pumpkin by himself, I would do that- but that would be strange.

If it's a "family activity" then the directions would say, "this is a family activity." It's not. It's homework....which is done by the student.

Geez, lighten up. Since when is decorating a pumpkin "homework that must be done by the child." if this mom wants to decorate the freaking pumpkin with the kid and that makes them all happy, then live and let live. No educator would say that this kind of collaborative activity MUST be done alone, in fact I think that's kind of contrary to basic teaching.

Anonymous wrote:I helped mine to plan the steps of their projects. If you break things down into small steps and show them how to put those pieces together you would be surprised at the kind of results that they can get.

But why won't you let them do the project, start to finish, on their own?

I'd just have my kids gluing rhinestones into whatever pattern they want. I wouldn't do any carving of a pumpkin or let them do it.

I helped mine to plan the steps of their projects. If you break things down into small steps and show them how to put those pieces together you would be surprised at the kind of results that they can get.