When Homework Gets too Much

[Youngblood]

I'd look at it this way. I doubt very much they are expecting most kids to do some sorta thorough indepth analysis and research to whatever the subject matter is...but are likely doing a few things with this project.

Firstly, they are introducing kids to the fact there is a world outside of West Virginia, or w/e a person may live. This is a good start. I remember my first assignment of this sort was on Mexico.

Secondly, I think at this early age they also can get good understanding of a parents commitment to help. Will the parent do all the work? Will the child? Will it be a collective deal?

I know with mine...I had to wrestle the project back from my dad cuz he was more then eager to help as he once went to Mexico and got drunk for a month and still had pictures of it lol

[Trainer Monkey]

I'd look at it this way. I doubt very much they are expecting most kids to do some sorta thorough indepth analysis and research to whatever the subject matter is...but are likely doing a few things with this project.

Firstly, they are introducing kids to the fact there is a world outside of West Virginia, or w/e a person may live. This is a good start. I remember my first assignment of this sort was on Mexico.

Secondly, I think at this early age they also can get good understanding of a parents commitment to help. Will the parent do all the work? Will the child? Will it be a collective deal?

I know with mine...I had to wrestle the project back from my dad cuz he was more then eager to help as he once went to Mexico and got drunk for a month and still had pictures of it lol

lol on the Mexico thing.
I tend to lean towards "I'll help you,if you need help,but its still got to be your project". Id rather he did a mediocre job,but did it himself,then have daddy do all the work for him,and get a better grade,that really isnt his grade

[Sharla]

It wouldn't suprise me if he already knows how to make full use of google.

I swear i am slow to take up new technology in my home just because i'm too stingy to buy it - only very recently upgraded to the DVD age and still don't have an ipod.

Still MOST people under the age of 40 and many over seem to be MUCH faster than me with taking new stuff up so i imagine google is old news to him and maybe he'll find it easier than you think.

Googling Kenya and food might come up with some distressing pics though so i'd have a plan to give the - "we're very lucky here" talk which might be a bit heavy for an 8 year old I guess.

[Trainer Monkey]

It wouldn't suprise me if he already knows how to make full use of google.

I swear i am slow to take up new technology in my home just because i'm too stingy to buy it - only very recently upgraded to the DVD age and still don't have an ipod.

Still MOST people under the age of 40 and many over seem to be MUCH faster than me with taking new stuff up so i imagine google is old news to him and maybe he'll find it easier than you think.

Googling Kenya and food might come up with some distressing pics though so i'd have a plan to give the - "we're very lucky here" talk which might be a bit heavy for an 8 year old I guess.

Thankfully I got a hit first time out of the box,and have it bookmarked for him

[luvfightgame]

My kids in the second grade,and granted he has a really high IQ,so teachers have to push him to keep him engaged,but.......
I open up his bookbag to check for homework,I see has to give an oral presentation on
The food of Kenya
Im a man with a high IQ in my late 30's and I wasnt even sure Kenya had food, and their giving this to a second grader?
I mean look at any marathon,does it look like these people are eating?
Jesus when I was in second grade,our big writing assignment was to write a story,and have the teacher bind it in to a book,and we were allowed to make illustrations to fill space. And even then 90 % of the boys books involved either Jedi's or Sharks(Jaws and Star Wars had just come out)

Homework is bullshit. 80% of education is wasted bullshit you will never use and they have the nerve after holding you hostage for 7 hours to send you home with extra work.....

I hate it and it's bullshit. 3 kids and when we have to spend 2 hours at night making sure they do their homework I get pissed. How many people EVER use algebra? Only very specific occupations and then they go into that occupation because they like it. I feel like telling the fat ass teachers that I am gonna force them to go on a 3 mile jog with me 3 nights a week. It's funny that they don't require much for physical education anymore, but cram algebra down everybody's throats.

Bullshit educational system..... teach kids 0 about money, 10% about health and taking care of their bodies, 10% actual useful skills (math,language,spelling,etc..), but then 80% is useless time wasting temporary memorized bullshit to make a "well rounded" student. BULLSHIT....


Sorry....

[CGM]

My kids in the second grade,and granted he has a really high IQ,so teachers have to push him to keep him engaged,but.......
I open up his bookbag to check for homework,I see has to give an oral presentation on
The food of Kenya
Im a man with a high IQ in my late 30's and I wasnt even sure Kenya had food, and their giving this to a second grader?
I mean look at any marathon,does it look like these people are eating?
Jesus when I was in second grade,our big writing assignment was to write a story,and have the teacher bind it in to a book,and we were allowed to make illustrations to fill space. And even then 90 % of the boys books involved either Jedi's or Sharks(Jaws and Star Wars had just come out)

Homework is bullshit. 80% of education is wasted bullshit you will never use and they have the nerve after holding you hostage for 7 hours to send you home with extra work.....

I hate it and it's bullshit. 3 kids and when we have to spend 2 hours at night making sure they do their homework I get pissed. How many people EVER use algebra? Only very specific occupations and then they go into that occupation because they like it. I feel like telling the fat ass teachers that I am gonna force them to go on a 3 mile jog with me 3 nights a week. It's funny that they don't require much for physical education anymore, but cram algebra down everybody's throats.

Bullshit educational system..... teach kids 0 about money, 10% about health and taking care of their bodies, 10% actual useful skills (math,language,spelling,etc..), but then 80% is useless time wasting temporary memorized bullshit to make a "well rounded" student. BULLSHIT....


Sorry....

Point taken about most people only really using 20% of what they learn, but which 20% is it going to be? I think it is good for young people to keep their options open, at least until they are old enough to make a well reasoned decision about what they want to do with their life. Therefor you study algebra and geometry and grammar and chemistry and physics and biology and whatever, until you are well into high school.

[Trainer Monkey]

If nothing else this thread got people thinking

[luvfightgame]

My kids in the second grade,and granted he has a really high IQ,so teachers have to push him to keep him engaged,but.......
I open up his bookbag to check for homework,I see has to give an oral presentation on
The food of Kenya
Im a man with a high IQ in my late 30's and I wasnt even sure Kenya had food, and their giving this to a second grader?
I mean look at any marathon,does it look like these people are eating?
Jesus when I was in second grade,our big writing assignment was to write a story,and have the teacher bind it in to a book,and we were allowed to make illustrations to fill space. And even then 90 % of the boys books involved either Jedi's or Sharks(Jaws and Star Wars had just come out)

Homework is bullshit. 80% of education is wasted bullshit you will never use and they have the nerve after holding you hostage for 7 hours to send you home with extra work.....

I hate it and it's bullshit. 3 kids and when we have to spend 2 hours at night making sure they do their homework I get pissed. How many people EVER use algebra? Only very specific occupations and then they go into that occupation because they like it. I feel like telling the fat ass teachers that I am gonna force them to go on a 3 mile jog with me 3 nights a week. It's funny that they don't require much for physical education anymore, but cram algebra down everybody's throats.

Bullshit educational system..... teach kids 0 about money, 10% about health and taking care of their bodies, 10% actual useful skills (math,language,spelling,etc..), but then 80% is useless time wasting temporary memorized bullshit to make a "well rounded" student. BULLSHIT....


Sorry....

Point taken about most people only really using 20% of what they learn, but which 20% is it going to be? I think it is good for young people to keep their options open, at least until they are old enough to make a well reasoned decision about what they want to do with their life. Therefor you study algebra and geometry and grammar and chemistry and physics and biology and whatever, until you are well into high school.

My theory is that it should be interest and ability driven. Meaning that kids that struggle in certain topics shouldn't waste years of their lives trying to learn it past a basic necessary level.

We should focus on a lot more life skills, and specializing in helping people do something they will be good at or can thrive on.

Look at it like a sport. In football practice they don't spend alot of time teaching lineman to catch. We don't have the linebackers practice their passing skills. Punters don't kick field goals. Occasionally there's some very talented people that can do it all, but most kickers can't play any other position on the field in pro football.

I am not saying completely abandon all subjects not a strength. But streamline it to help someone get better at what they are naturally good at and don't waste alot of time and effort making someone do things they suck at..... it's not realistic.

Also homework is bullshit. We know as adults that too much stress from working causes sickness, disease, family problems, etc... but we train children from the age of 6 that even though you worked on this stuff all day you have to take some home with you and work on it there. It's bullshit.

Oh yeah, and sharing is bullshit to. Why do we force kids to share when we know damn well that adults don't. I don't share my cars, house, food, and especially not my toys if I had any. It's bullshit.

[luvfightgame]

If nothing else this thread got people thinking

I'm not thinking...... I'm publicly bitching.