Crazy Homework Assignments-picture added

[kmp1191]

Ok, DS is 12 and in 6th grade. Last week for Social Studies they were assigned an inventor and had to do a poster of what this inventors MYSPACE profile/page would look like.
Now this weekend, he has to make a sock puppet after a scientist. He has Leonardo DaVinci.

How in the heck can you make a sock puppet look like DaVinci???

 

[disneyjunkie]

Grab an old sock, glue, two buttons, yarn, markers, old rags, newspaper.

Use the rags to make a hat.

Use the yarn to make a hair.

Use the buttons for eyes.

Draw on a mouth and nose.

Glue everything onto the sock.

I wouldn't worry about it looking perfect. I would just give the materials, make a few suggestions and let him have at it.

 

[AprilShowers]

I think the MySpace project is a good one. It helps kids relate to important people on a level they will understand, and is fun for them.

The sock puppet? Just plain stupid.

 

[meandtheguys2]

What a waste of time.

 

[kmp1191]

I think the MySpace project is a good one. It helps kids relate to important people on a level they will understand, and is fun for them.

The sock puppet? Just plain stupid.

I agree totally! The myspace thing was actually kind of neat for him to do. His inventor was JOHN DEERE, and my dad used to restore antique JD tractors. DS kept calling dad and saying, "did you know this....or did you know that?" So he actually LEARNED something.
The sock scientist...

Here's what the directions say:
First of all, they have to make a "brochure" about the scientist-name, DOB, DOD, place of birth, college,etc.
Then, here's the sock info:
Use one crew length sock. The color should match the skin tone of the scientist. Stuff the sock w/ beans, cotton, or rice. Tie off the middle of the stuffed sock so you have a top and bottom section. Add hair, legs and arms. Use craft felt, yarn or foam. Make the Scientist Sock Doll as realistic as possible and MAKE SURE TO MAKE IT LOOK LIKE THE SCIENTIST.

Now then, how many of you have socks that look like DaVinci?

I have to go buy yarn now. I'll be back.
crap.

 

[clh2]

My DD is in 8th grade this year.

I am so sick and tired of "artsy" homework projects. She is not in art, these projects are coming mostly from Language Arts and Social Studies.

School ends for us on June 16th. She will be missing 4 days of school, for an "academic experience", so all told, there are only 20.5 more days of school, of which 2 of those days are field trips.

She is currently "illustrating" a children's book she needed to write. Now granted this project is not due for over 1 week, she is trying to get done with the homework she can work ahead on, due to her 4-day absence.

Other projects she has had to do this semester: a pirate's map, redesign the US flag, with 7 red and 6 white stripes, 13 white stars in a blue field, do an election campaign poster for Andrew Jackson, "me" collages, and a detailed full page picture of scene in a story they wrote.

There were tons more in the 1st semester. I just don't get it.

Sorry to hijack this thread, this is one of my soap box issues.

 

[agnes!]

This is *my* take...

If the student CANNOT complete the assignment in the classroom ON THEIR OWN, WHY is the expectation that the student will somehow magically be able to complete the assignment at home all by themselves?!?

The answer is? They DON'T. These projects, in the lower grades turn into a family project (oh goody.), requiring massive amounts of supervising and massive amounts of materials-buying & prep time.

If you really want to get depressed, keep track of how much time it takes per project from start to completion.

ack.
agnes!

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Sock puppet?

well, go to a store like staples, get the t-thirt transfer paper. capture and print the graphic of him dispalyed by a prior poster, (resize it smaller)transfer it to a big white sock. there you have a sock puppet of him!!

 

[Northstar]

I agree with Disneyjunkie. Don't stress on getting a perfect art project done... it sounds to me as if this assignment is producing the props for a fun in-class make-the-inventors- come-to-life drama, where they use the puppets to speak for the inventor and maybe talk about their inventions.

I mean, sure, help him get the materials together, and show him that great pic Disneyjunkie had, but the point of the assignment is to unleash the kids' creativity. Some kids will shine at this gig and really get into it, others will think it's dumb but will benefit from giving it a shot, developing their ability to make, create, and invent from the materials at hand.

There's absolutely no need for parents to take over the project and make sure you have a perfect sock puppet that really looks just like Da Vinci!

 

[kmp1191]

Ok. I'm back and the puppet is now done.

There's absolutely no need for parents to take over the project and make sure you have a perfect sock puppet that really looks just like Da Vinci

I agree to a certain extent. The teacher said to "make it as realistic as possible", and "to sew clothes for the puppet".
First of all, DS does not sew, and neither do I. Second of all, unless we were to use a stapler, the only other choice was a hot glue gun, which again, DS is not allowed to use. Therefore, the parent (me) has to be more involved than if he were to have to write a report of some sort, or to do a poster. I understand not taking over the project, but a great deal of assistance was still needed, seeing as how the majority of it was used w/ the hot glue gun.

I'll post a picture in a little bit. Kinda looks like a cross between an Amish farmer/female impersonator & someone from Hell's Angels.

School is out May 23rd...thank goodness! 6th grade has been really tough on me!

 

[Illuminations_Rocks]

Ok. I'm back and the puppet is now done.

There's absolutely no need for parents to take over the project and make sure you have a perfect sock puppet that really looks just like Da Vinci

I agree to a certain extent. The teacher said to "make it as realistic as possible", and "to sew clothes for the puppet".
First of all, DS does not sew, and neither do I. Second of all, unless we were to use a stapler, the only other choice was a hot glue gun, which again, DS is not allowed to use. Therefore, the parent (me) has to be more involved than if he were to have to write a report of some sort, or to do a poster. I understand not taking over the project, but a great deal of assistance was still needed, seeing as how the majority of it was used w/ the hot glue gun.

I'll post a picture in a little bit. Kinda looks like a cross between an Amish farmer/female impersonator & someone from Hell's Angels.

School is out May 23rd...thank goodness! 6th grade has been really tough on me!

Not to be snarky at all but there are other options. There's Tacky glue you can get at the crafts store, which is like Elmer's but for fabrics (it's quite a bit thicker). Also fusable hem but that would require use of the iron. They also make glue guns that aren't super hot; I've used them plenty in girl scouts and when I was in school. They should probably still have supervision but they are not nearly as bad as the others. But, definitely Tacky glue would work, just takes a while to dry.

But... seriously he had to make clothes for his sock puppet??? That is one crazy project!

 

[Northstar]

I'll post a picture in a little bit. Kinda looks like a cross between an Amish farmer/female impersonator & someone from Hell's Angels.

School is out May 23rd...thank goodness! 6th grade has been really tough on me!

I wanna see the pictures!

And I think you should get a special certificate of merit for creative and logistical academic support! Hey, it wouldn't kill the teacher to write a letter of appreciation to parents.

 

[kmp1191]

Not to be snarky at all but there are other options. There's Tacky glue you can get at the crafts store, which is like Elmer's but for fabrics (it's quite a bit thicker). Also fusable hem but that would require use of the iron. They also make glue guns that aren't super hot; I've used them plenty in girl scouts and when I was in school. They should probably still have supervision but they are not nearly as bad as the others. But, definitely Tacky glue would work, just takes a while to dry.

But... seriously he had to make clothes for his sock puppet??? That is one crazy project!

Sorry....I didn't mean to be snarky either....I'm just a little tired of these senseless projects. I didn't think of tacky glue...I was just trying to use what I already had..(hot glue). Anyway, here ya go....
DAVINCI IN SOCK FORM..... (this is truly pathetic!)
crap, i didn't see the mustache. oh well.

See....crossdressing/amish/hellsangel doll.

 

[clh2]

Not to be snarky at all but there are other options. There's Tacky glue you can get at the crafts store, which is like Elmer's but for fabrics (it's quite a bit thicker). Also fusable hem but that would require use of the iron. They also make glue guns that aren't super hot; I've used them plenty in girl scouts and when I was in school. They should probably still have supervision but they are not nearly as bad as the others. But, definitely Tacky glue would work, just takes a while to dry.

But... seriously he had to make clothes for his sock puppet??? That is one crazy project!

I agree, there may be other options. However, if the OP already had a hot glue gun and the glue sticks, it would be foolish to go out and get some tacky fabric glue, that most likely would dry out before you need it again. If the OP isn't let her DS use a hot glue gun, I doubt she is letting him use an iron either. My same thoughts echo with the cool glue gun, why shoud you need to go out and buy a tool you may only use 1 time.

ETA: I just noticed the pic the OP posted. He did a very nice job. Yet, still a dumb project, IMO.

 

[Pin Wizard]

At least he is working! DS's time has been wasted the entire 4th quarter by "studying and reviewing" for the SOLs. That's only in three classes. Outside of that I remember studying for one vocabulary test in English and one project in Spanish. Just end the year already!!!

 

[java]

My dd had to make a Mia Hamm sock puppet last year in 4th grade. So this must be on some 4th grade teaching ideas website.

Your puppet looks great- one concern- is it a puppet? My dd's was made out of a sock- so no legs we had to sew them onto the front of it- and by we I mean ME!

 

[kmp1191]

Puppet...doll....whatever!!
It said puppet, but her directions said it had to have arms and legs and hair.
Hold on....I'll go find a wooden dowl rod and stick it up his.....

Oh..I emailed a picture to my sister, who then informed me that the men wore gowns, not pants. I said, well, "my Davinci has to wear pants in order to get on his Harley!"

Oh...and this is for 6th grade....I'm gonna ask the teacher why she's getting idea's from a 4th grade site.

 

[java]

Puppet...doll....whatever!!
It said puppet, but her directions said it had to have arms and legs and hair.
Hold on....I'll go find a wooden dowl rod and stick it up his.....

Oh..I emailed a picture to my sister, who then informed me that the men wore gowns, not pants. I said, well, "my Davinci has to wear pants in order to get on his Harley!"

Oh...and this is for 6th grade....I'm gonna ask the teacher why she's getting idea's from a 4th grade site.

Really last year I hated that project. It was for a book report. Every month they had a "book report" but not once did they ever have to WRITE A BOOK REPORT. It was make a diarama- interpret the story into a song - blah blah blah. I thought it might be nice to work on paragraph construction- but nope we were working on our sewing skills.

 

[agnes!]

At least he is working! DS's time has been wasted the entire 4th quarter by "studying and reviewing" for the SOLs. That's only in three classes. Outside of that I remember studying for one vocabulary test in English and one project in Spanish. Just end the year already!!!

Ah yes, you must live in Virginia - the land of the SOLs. What FUN.
NOT.

agnes!

 

[dimimi]

I think this is one of those "busy work" projects. How does making a puppet = social studies? She could have had them make a power point or a poster...but a puppet. Oh, and I'm a teacher too, so I realize it's in poor taste to make comments against the teacher...but I guess we all have our off days!