3rd grade homework - would this bother you?

[NikitaZee]

i would do it. i dont see this as part of some grand conspiracy to take over your childs life. they record what they eat, how much they exercise, etc. and no one thinks to ask what are they using that information for. i dont see the big deal in recording how much tv is being watched. i bet it would be pretty eye opening for some.

Interesting you should say that - another thing Massachusetts has incorporated into the school system is BMI checks beginning this year. At certain grade intervals, I think 1st, 3rd, 5th and so on - the nurse will check our child's height and weight and calculate their BMI. We'll get a notice at home informing us of the results, and if our child is in a 'need to watch' category, under or overweight. I'm not sure what I think of this either - it's a good thing on one hand, on the other, it could be embarassing for some kids. Since we're required to have regular physicals for our kids, isn't that between us and our pediatrician?

 

[monkey68]

I would probably just make up some number that sounded good. As long as your kids are doing what they need to, I don't see why you need to be so exact with the timing.

 

[MiniGirl]

It may be a cliche, but I really think that in all these programs you need to follow the money. If the school boards can prove that students are too sedentary or too many students are in a "need to watch" category for weight, they can argue more effectively against budget cuts for phys ed programs or for more $$ for healthier school lunches. If they can show children aren't reading enough or are watching too much tv, they can argue for longer school days/years which equals more funding. This was actually being discussed in our local district before our current economy woes and the districts needed to cut budgets.

I'm sorry if this sounds cynical, but look at recent changes in attendance policies. It used to be that school administrators had no problem with parents taking their children on vacation during the school year. Now many schools do not excuse these abscences and even threaten to send parents before truancy boards and/or hold their child back to repeat that year. Bottom line..... it wasn't until funding was linked to attendance that it mattered at all.

 

[luvmy3]

What is this information being used for? I could see it being used for a maths project (graphs etc.) or for a discussion in social studies or something.

If it's being recorded simply for the teacher to know 'what goes on at home', I wouldn't be filling it out.

ITA. If its the latter I'm in the none of your business crowd

 

[BeachGirlFLA]

I guess I don't see what the big deal is.. I'd fill in the log because it seems like it would create an opportunity to talk w/the kid about the importance of reading. We had to do the same thing for gym in high school - record how much TV we watched at home vs. how much physical activity time we did at home. Then in class they talked to us about how if we just removed 1 hour of TV time and replaced it w/activity, what the health benefits would be, etc.

To me, it's a case of the government (in this case, the educational system) trying to dictate to us what we should do. I have a big problem with that. If it was just being collected for information, I might not have as big of a problem but the fact that they actually came out and said that the reading time should be more than the "screen" time....sorry, but that's up to the parents not anyone else.

 

[Minniemama350]

I gotta say I would never require a 3rd grade child or their parent to give that sort of information, unless it were a graphing situation as said above. I'm sure the idea was intended to "help", but unless there are circumstances undisclosed about this, it does sound like it crosses the line. A child's family/free time is not my business unless I suspect child abuse. If I were the parent, I would call the teacher and discuss this with them.

 

[NikitaZee]

It may be a cliche, but I really think that in all these programs you need to follow the money. If the school boards can prove that students are too sedentary or too many students are in a "need to watch" category for weight, they can argue more effectively against budget cuts for phys ed programs or for more $$ for healthier school lunches. If they can show children aren't reading enough or are watching too much tv, they can argue for longer school days/years which equals more funding. This was actually being discussed in our local district before our current economy woes and the districts needed to cut budgets.

I'm sorry if this sounds cynical, but look at recent changes in attendance policies. It used to be that school administrators had no problem with parents taking their children on vacation during the school year. Now many schools do not excuse these abscences and even threaten to send parents before truancy boards and/or hold their child back to repeat that year. Bottom line..... it wasn't until funding was linked to attendance that it mattered at all.

I agree with you. I don't like the feeling of accountability for so many personal choices - tv, vacation time, etc. We're taking the kids out for 6 days around Halloween to go to Disney, and while truancy hasn't been mentioned, our school handbook says that we can be fined $250 for each occurrence of 'causing' our children to miss school. We're doing it anyway, but I am nervous about it.

 

[lillygator]

Nope, I wouldn't be turning that in. I also did not turn in the reading log that was sent home for my girls when they were in K and 1st grade. We read together every night, but I figured keeping a log was actually homework for ME, and in the end, all the school needed to know was that we were reading. What we were reading wasn't important.

out of curiosity...did the teacher say it wasn't important? And isn't the log considered homework? that is kind of saying oh, the teacher asked for x, I don't feel it is necessary so we're not going to do it...... it may not only be about "reading" but starting to teach the children about the mechanics of "nightly homework" as well as accountability.

DD is in 1st now and last year as well as this year has a reading log for the week where she writes down books read nightly and I sign it. She also has an assignment book that is signed nightly....



it's funny how most parents seem to want to know everything going on at the school yet aren't willing to let in some of their child's out of school life?? Teachers can't win. I know DD's teacher uses the book log to discuss books with the students in the class. I guess I just don't see the utter harm in reporting it.

 

[BeachGirlFLA]

out of curiosity...did the teacher say it wasn't important? And isn't the log considered homework? that is kind of saying oh, the teacher asked for x, I don't feel it is necessary so we're not going to do it...... it may not only be about "reading" but starting to teach the children about the mechanics of "nightly homework" as well as accountability.

DD is in 1st now and last year as well as this year has a reading log for the week where she writes down books read nightly and I sign it. She also has an assignment book that is signed nightly....



it's funny how most parents seem to want to know everything going on at the school yet aren't willing to let in some of their child's out of school life?? Teachers can't win. I know DD's teacher uses the book log to discuss books with the students in the class. I guess I just don't see the utter harm in reporting it.

It wouldn't bother me to have to report what books my child read. It would upset me to have to report the "screen" time, especially when the child has been told that the "screen" time should be less than the reading time. I was a total bookworm in school but if it was Monday night during football season, my "screen" time would have been more than my reading time and I don't think it would have been my teacher's right to judge me on that.

 

[SpecialK]

out of curiosity...did the teacher say it wasn't important? And isn't the log considered homework? that is kind of saying oh, the teacher asked for x, I don't feel it is necessary so we're not going to do it...... it may not only be about "reading" but starting to teach the children about the mechanics of "nightly homework" as well as accountability.

DD is in 1st now and last year as well as this year has a reading log for the week where she writes down books read nightly and I sign it. She also has an assignment book that is signed nightly....



it's funny how most parents seem to want to know everything going on at the school yet aren't willing to let in some of their child's out of school life?? Teachers can't win. I know DD's teacher uses the book log to discuss books with the students in the class. I guess I just don't see the utter harm in reporting it.

Parents have a right to know what goes on in the school and concerning their children in that school. Parents also have the right to privacy in their homes.

This type of assignment became the norm years ago when some education guru decided that the schools also needed to educate the parents on proper parenting. I disliked them as a teacher; I despise them as a parent.

 

[Miz Diz]

I would not like this requirement, but would still report it.

Of course, I would be liberal with what I counted as educational. If they were watching a show that I felt taught a lesson of some sort, I would not count that for the teacher. Also - video games, their always learning something,right or is that hand exercises? And you could put closed captioning on, so that they are reading while they are watching.

I would want to know what the teacher will do if the child consistently has more "screen" time than reading time. Will it affect their grade?

 

[MiniGirl]

out of curiosity...did the teacher say it wasn't important? And isn't the log considered homework? that is kind of saying oh, the teacher asked for x, I don't feel it is necessary so we're not going to do it...... it may not only be about "reading" but starting to teach the children about the mechanics of "nightly homework" as well as accountability.

DD is in 1st now and last year as well as this year has a reading log for the week where she writes down books read nightly and I sign it. She also has an assignment book that is signed nightly....



it's funny how most parents seem to want to know everything going on at the school yet aren't willing to let in some of their child's out of school life?? Teachers can't win. I know DD's teacher uses the book log to discuss books with the students in the class. I guess I just don't see the utter harm in reporting it.

Yes, actually she did say what we were reading each night was unimportant. What was important was just that we were reading together. When I mentioned that we read several books a night and there was no way I was going to keep a log of all the books we read and how many times we read them, she told me not to worry about it. It was obvious that we read together and she was not worried about my child.

I was also always quite diligent in making sure my children did their homework. I had no problem with that. What I had a problem with was the teacher giving ME homework. I have no problem helping my children with their schoolwork, but I wasn't going to do it for them. I would have had no problem with my dd keeping the log herself and having me sign off on it, but she was not able to do that when she started K obviously.

As far as the the other point goes..... the administration made it clear that they didn't want a large part of my dd's out of school life. At the time, my dd loved her Bible stories. When asked to tell her favorite stories, she wasn't allowed to finish hers. When asked to bring a collage of their favorite places, the teacher removed the pictured of our church my dd had put in her collage. When the students were told to bring a favorite book for reading time, I received a note asking that my dd choose a more suitable book. When I was told all this, I didn't raise a stink or anything. I went along with it. I helped my dd pick out things that would be found acceptable and tried to explain to her why she couldn't bring her favorites like the other kids could. I liked my dd's teacher and didn't want to make trouble for her, my children, or me. Eventually, my dd started find more secular books entertaining and the "problem" resolved itself.

 

[Scurvy]

I would not like this requirement, but would still report it.

Of course, I would be liberal with what I counted as educational. If they were watching a show that I felt taught a lesson of some sort, I would not count that for the teacher. Also - video games, their always learning something,right or is that hand exercises? And you could put closed captioning on, so that they are reading while they are watching.

This is what I was thinking as well. Just about anything can be educational if you look at it the right way, so I think I'd be putting down a "0" for most days. It isn't the school's business what I allow my son to watch (or how long I let him watch it) when he's at home and I feel no obligation whatsoever to accurately report our out-of-school activities to them.

 

[EMom]

I'm a former teacher and a member of the None of Your Business Club. We have filled out a reading log since first grade and I have no problem with that, but I draw the line at reporting how much time she spends watching TV/playing video games, etc. and then having to break that down into educational vs. non-educational. Not that she spends much time at all.......... It's just the principle of the thing.

What if a kid spends (what the teacher considers) too much time watching TV and playing games? Will she categorize the parents as irresponsible slackers? If the kid's grades start to drop or he has some behavior problems, will she be too quick to blame it on "all that TV he watches"? Sheesh, enough already.

I'd just be happy if the teacher stopped letting the kids pet her rat, but NOT wash their hands, right before they eat lunch.

 

[Papa Deuce]

I would not tell them. Not their concern.

 

[Becky2005]

Interesting you should say that - another thing Massachusetts has incorporated into the school system is BMI checks beginning this year. At certain grade intervals, I think 1st, 3rd, 5th and so on - the nurse will check our child's height and weight and calculate their BMI. We'll get a notice at home informing us of the results, and if our child is in a 'need to watch' category, under or overweight. I'm not sure what I think of this either - it's a good thing on one hand, on the other, it could be embarassing for some kids. Since we're required to have regular physicals for our kids, isn't that between us and our pediatrician?

IL started that last year. My 12 year old's report came home with "too low" last year, so what do they want me to do about it? Start feeding him twinkies? He's already followed by a doctor, the kid comes home and snacks on fruit, etc...

I DETEST the reading logs -- I'm so happy they magically disappear by 4th grade (at least they have so far for my 4th grader). About 1/2 the time I never turned them in. I know with my DD, she filled it out & I just signed the thing. I have no idea what she put on it. She could easily go through a thick book in one night.

I would just put either a random number down for tv viewing or leave it blank and not worry about it.

 

[EMom]

IL started that last year. My 12 year old's report came home with "too low" last year, so what do they want me to do about it? Start feeding him twinkies? He's already followed by a doctor, the kid comes home and snacks on fruit, etc...

I DETEST the reading logs -- I'm so happy they magically disappear by 4th grade (at least they have so far for my 4th grader). About 1/2 the time I never turned them in. I know with my DD, she filled it out & I just signed the thing. I have no idea what she put on it. She could easily go through a thick book in one night.

I would just put either a random number down for tv viewing or leave it blank and not worry about it.

If you don't mind, what was "too low" for a BMI? (Her doctor never appears bothered by that figure.) DD consistently stays at 13-14% BMI and has since she was a year old. She's a grazer and doesn't/can't eat big meals. Clearly, this is her body type. She's long and lean and very muscular.....no fat. Very "narrow" if that makes sense. Like you, I'd have to give her a steady diet of sweets to thicken her up and I don't plan to do that.

BTW, she's in 4th grade and the reading log is still a part of our daily routine.

 

[Becky2005]

If you don't mind, what was "too low" for a BMI?

I will have to look for the paper again. I just laughed when I got it and thought "you think?" He wants do do wrestling this year and I'm pretty much doing one of these for that due to his weight. I know they do weight divisions but I believe he was umm...73 or 74 pounds at his physical this summer. Not too sure how many other kids are that weight in 7th grade, I'm guessing not a lot of boys. The weird thing is I didn't get a notice about my DD or my DS9 last year. I wonder if it is just done in specific grades vs. every year. I know last year was the first year ever we got that information. Kind of stinks for the girls -- I can see them freaking out even if their BMI falls under 'average' if the little graph line was closer to too much than too little.

I'm *really* not sure what they are trying to accomplish with it though or why the schools feel it's necessary to track BMI. I don't know they seem to want to track every little thing as it is, I suppose it's just another thing to add to the list but they don't do scoliosis checks anymore at the school. I guess that didn't pay enough.

 

[Rafiki31]

I think you guys are really overeacting here! Am I the lone voice of dissention? Ok, I will be the bad guy. No offense.

I think it would be good for kids to SEE for themselves where there time is spent. It could be a useful tool. It could help with starting good habits!

Anything that gets kids to read more, I am all for it! ANything that gets people to be more aware of how much time they (and their family) spend in front of the tube or video games, could be a useful tool. There may be some people out there that are not aware of how much time it actually is. Not you per se, but I can see how teachers could think this might be a useful tool. I think kids are def spending way too much time watching tv, playing video games, and fiddling around with cell phones. Sounds like YOU have a good habits going, you should be proud of this!

I guess I just don't understand why people would not want to do the assignment. It is not like your child will fail if the teacher thinks they watched too much tv. It is only 3rd grade

 

[PaulaSB12]

I think you guys are really overeacting here! Am I the lone voice of dissention? Ok, I will be the bad guy. No offense.

I think it would be good for kids to SEE for themselves where there time is spent. It could be a useful tool. It could help with starting good habits!

Anything that gets kids to read more, I am all for it! ANything that gets people to be more aware of how much time they (and their family) spend in front of the tube or video games, could be a useful tool. There may be some people out there that are not aware of how much time it actually is. Not you per se, but I can see how teachers could think this might be a useful tool. I think kids are def spending way too much time watching tv, playing video games, and fiddling around with cell phones. Sounds like YOU have a good habits going, you should be proud of this!

I guess I just don't understand why people would not want to do the assignment. It is not like your child will fail if the teacher thinks they watched too much tv. It is only 3rd grade

This is where I disagree, they are making reading a chore something that has to be done. If anything this is going to put kids off reading rather than give them a lifetime love of it.