. These projects are to actively get the parents involved in their children's education. It also helps bring the family closer and helps a parent demonstrate problem solving skills as they work together on these projects. My family always goes out and celebrates when we get good grades on our "family projects." If it was me, I would call a classmate's parent for instructions and help her.
Sure, but depending on how that is presented, it can get awfully condescending.
My son once came home with a family project (also commonly known as an expensive arts and crafts monstrosity that no 8 year old boy could ever be expected to complete on his own) with a carefully composed note from the teacher explaining how building a scale model of the Lincoln Memorial using the "things we all have at home anyway like popsicle sticks" would allow our family to bond, discuss our State's rich heritage and what it means to us, and develop our interest in each other and happenings in our life all at the same time!
I REALLY wanted to write a note back
Dear Ms. ______ :
I really wanted to thank you for the opportunity you gave me this weekend to finally "really" get to know that young child. I mean, sure I gave birth to him, breastfed him, have given him home and hearth, sat through a week of Chicken Pox, have spent countless hours washing his underwear, picking up his toys, studying spelling words, and memorizing the ABC song and all the that other stuff with him --- but finding a way to attach Mr. Lincoln's nose sure did bring us much closer together than that trip to the lake over one of the last nice fall weekends of the year ever could have accomplished!
In thanks, I'd really like to return the favor. I called YOUR Mother this morning and learned that you haven't been over for dinner in months and in fact haven't even returned all those messages she left on your answering machine this week. I'm so glad to have the chance to present the opportunity to enrich your personal life and family connectivity they way you have done for my family.
Bright and early Saturday morning, your Mom will have the materials needed (I'm sure she just had them lying around anyway) on her kitchen table for you and her to TOGETHER construct a scale model diorama that will adequately depict the environment most present either during the Triassic, Jurassic, or Crestaceous period. You need only choose one, but if you want to build a couple go right ahead! If you are unsure of the climatic differences of those periods, that information can easily be obtained from a trip to the town library together. I honestly do not want any family to spend a significant amount of money on this project, please just use all that dinosaur related stuff that I'm sure you and your Mom have in your closets and cupboards.
Please remember that although neatness certainly will count heavily in how I view your results, I would like for "all the team members" to help in the building. I realize your Mother's arthritis might make some of the detail work difficult, but certainly let her try. I do realize that adults can sometimes get overcome with the excitement of getting to contruct these funs arts and crafts that they sometimes get selfish and hog the fun. Just try to remember not to leave any of your "team members" sitting on the bench the whole game.
Now you enjoy yourself!
