? about DS10 Homework assignment

[dcg0317]

I don't remember being in the fourth grade and haveing to do reports, these are not book reports but the children are assigned a person or something on the subject they are studying.
They have 2 weeks to do research and write report, in the mean time they get no other homework. I'm 44 and I don't remember doing these kind of assignments when I was in fourth grade, this will be his third one this year, last year he had one.
The teacher wants a cover page
title page
report (no less then 3 pages and no more than 4 pages long)
conclusion
and bibiography
They must also do a visual: a model, poster, or a diorama.
Don't you think this is a bit much for a 10 year old. I think not getting regular homework they are missing out. Just wondering what others think.
Thanks Don

 

[janette]

It sounds pretty normal to me. My 2nd grader just finished a project that included a presentation, trading card, paragraph and a worksheet on Leonardo DaVinci. They each who they did the project on, her interest is Art so he was her choice.

My 5th grader had several projects this year where she had to do powerpoint presentations, complete with research, bibiography and visuals, they did have some class time. She did ones like you describe in the younger classes but I don't remember her doing non-computer visuals this year.

 

[RitaZ.]

I do think it's too much, but that's how it is these days. My older DS started doing big projects in 3rd grade. Some of the projects were graded on various criteria. For instance, in 3rd grade he got two points taken off one presentation because his voice was too low. He also had daily homework, just a lighter load.

Since then, it hasn't stopped! My DS#2, first grader, had to do his first report last week. He was assigned a state to research, had to answer a sheet of questions and made a poster. That's first grade! My older DS didn't have anything like that when he was in 1st grade.

 

[piratesmate]

We had the same thing...starting in 2nd grade with written reports. In 1st, the projects/reports were still WAY over the top for the age group IMHO. It seems to have started about the time that our seniors were required to do a SR project - the lower grades feels they're helping them "prepare" to do the long term project.

Most of DD's friends, though, didn't get out of the experience what was intended as their parents do much of the work. I don't know what it's like where you are, but our kids not get much time to be kids - they're always doing homework.

Deb

 

[RitaZ.]

I don't know what it's like where you are, but our kids not get much time to be kids - they're always doing homework.

Deb, that's exactly why I feel that it's too much. I also agree that some parents "help" too much and the kids aren't really learning from "their" projects.

Things are slowing down now because there are only 2 weeks left of school. Usually my kids come home from school and all they do is homework, there is really not much time for anything else.

 

[disykat]

Sounds pretty par for the course. My 2nd grader is working on a power point presentation! I don't have a problem with this as long as they have lots of guidance and time to do it in class - fortunately my kids have had great teachers who walk them through things step by step. I'm glad my kids don't get homework during project times - it sure makes life easier!

My kids do way more than I did at their ages. There is a big trend towards large projects and not so much busywork on individual skills. IMO this is a good thing for advanced students, but can see how some students might have difficulty incorporating skills they haven't yet practiced to mastery. Projects do seem to be a way for students to produce work at their own level though-that is if the parent's can stay out of it! LOL

I agree about too much homework. I always shake my head when I hear the negative stuff about Public Schools not giving kids a challenging education - that sure hasn't been our experience!

 

[piratesmate]

Originally posted by disykat
. . . . . I always shake my head when I hear the negative stuff about Public Schools not giving kids a challenging education - that sure hasn't been our experience!

Actually, the projects DD has had don't qualify as "challenging" in my book. Most of the time they border on busy work. But by far, my biggest complaint has been that they aren't teaching the skills - they just send home a worksheet & expect the parents to teach the material! Earlier this year DD came home with a sheet on direct objects, indirect objects, objects of prepositions, etc. Not only was the material not taught beforehand, but the sheet consisted of practice sentences only - no examples, no definitions ....it's a good thing I was a teacher & knew how to explain all of it to her. ARGH!

 

[hopemax]

Back when I was in the 4th/5th grades we did 3 projects a year. They were put on display in the library for the parents to come in and see them, plus the other grades got to see them too. It was the same type of thing: a report, plus a visual model. I specifically remember doing something on Mountains, and a famous person from the American Revolution. The final 5th grader's project was on one of the 50 states and it was more advanced project, we had to do multiple visual aides, a paper AND an oral report. That was a BIG event, we had a potluck, parents came and we had to be able to answer their questions too.

This was back in the mid-80's.

 

[dcg0317]

Well iI'm glad to see I'm not the only one who thinks this way. The projects started in the first grade and have progress to harder and harder projects. He is what the teacher sent home.
"I explained to the children that they should only include information in their report that they understand. (he's is on satellites) If they read a page of info. they copied but don't understand, the rest of the class will be lost as well during the report. I told them that with an at home assignment, it is your job to help them understand the material they are reading and to help and model for them how to put the information in simpler terms." Their was more but my son was not able to read alot of the material and put into simply form without alot of help from me.
still think it's over thier heads. IMOP

 

[sha_lyn]

dcg0317 what you described sounds like the usual at the school DS friend goes to in the next county. However here it is a different story. DS attended PS through 6th grade and was never assigned a book report, project etc. That's just one reason we pulled him from the PS.

 

[Gette88]

I think it's a lot too. Last year DD was in 5th grade and had a project like that. It was her 1st year in middle school and every teacher was giving the kids be projects, one after the other. One time the kids were told to pick a famous person. One girl chose Madonna, not my DD. She picked Queen Elizabeth. That was awful she had to be Queen Elizabeth and present her report to the class in costume. This year has been much more laid back.

 

[Pin Wizard]

I'm sure I didn't have all these reports in 4th grade. DS's class did one report per month this year. They were told that there will be A LOT MORE reports in 5th grade! He's already come home with 2 books to read over the summer that they will have to do reports on "next year."

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

DS is in 3rd grade and has 1 report/project per month in addition to his regular homework. I think it works well. The assignment comes home the first school day of the month and is due the last school day of the month. The project may take a total of 10 hours of work, but usually it's less than that - probably 5 or 6.

I'd rather he begin to develop his research and organizational skills now, than wait until he hits middle school with the culture shock that entails. Little steps leading up to the big steps.