Homework Hell
Over at Salon, Ayelet Waldman’s having another kick at the can of parental experiences of homework. (See Homework: How Much is Too Much? from NPR and Too Much Homework can be Counterproductive from Physorg.com.)
We all know the stories of mothers who stay up all night working on their kid’s project or family outings which are cancelled because a school assignment consumes the entire weekend. Where grade school students are expected to use Powerpoint and teachers will mark down based on the materials as much as the content.
I’m fortunate that our experience of homework hell has been pretty limited. There’ve been a few overwhelming projects — poster presentations which have been far beyond youngest’s ability and keenly frustrating for her perfectionism (I learned from this and always print out two of every image), invention projects for eldest which require more engineering ability than a grade schooler can muster.
And, to be honest, I am not about doing this all for my kids. I check in their agendas and see what’s on tap. I remind them of their obligations and cut off TV if the work isn’t getting done. I sit beside youngest and painstakingly walk her through each step, some days, including a great deal of whining. And, yes, I buy posterboard, print out good colour images and make invention trips to Canadian Tire. So maybe I’m not as “hands-off” as I’d like to be. Oh well!
October 22nd, 2005 at 5:43 pm
I’ve been lurking here for a while. I really agree that the homework is out of control. Parents either get stuck having their kids “fail” or “helping” (doing?) the work for/with them. I’m a music teacher with a lot of private students, and the parents tell me that their KINDERGARTEN kids are getting up to an hour of homework a day. The kindergarten teachers make it clear that parents are expected to help the kids with it. Now, I’m all in favor of parents helping their kids to learn, but guess who’s really doing that homework? Makes it tough for the parents with “day jobs,” and even tougher for the kids whose parents aren’t willing or able to help.
I once had a homework-happy teacher whose rationale for the homework was that it prevented us from watching TV after school. Since TV was already banned in our household after school, this guy’s homework just prevented me from spending time practicing my instrument, exercising, reading for fun, or just being a creative kid.
I think the science fairs are the worst. It’s so obvious who’s really doing the homework. I’d love to see a return to simpler assignments that can truly be done by the kids AT SCHOOL.
Just my two (or more) cents.
October 23rd, 2005 at 9:52 am
Welcome, terminaldegree! I have to out myself over at your blog, as well.
Regarding parental involvement, I remember Geeky Mom posting very eloquently on the subject of how working parents are hard hit by these expectations of extensive parental involvement. And you’re so right that these bigger projects end up being parental contests by proxy which is soooo maddening!