DS has to re-do Math homework......

[The Mystery Machine]

That's right! Make sure she never works ahead! Hold her back What a wonderful lesson to teach a child.

Sometimes parents need to say "the directions are ridiculous. My child deserves to work to their absolute fullest potential”.

Stop teaching children to follow blindly. Go talk to the teacher if your child can and wants to move forward.

Yes. It is more work for the teacher. But a good teacher would welcome that kind of extra work

I have taught my kids to work the system.

My dd in fact is going to try and move up. The system is dumb however there is nothing you can do about it but try and work it.

She has to take a test to try and get into "honors 8th". She is going to try and go for it, turning in the paperwork today in fact.

Usually her teachers have been accomodating to her talent for writing. However this yr she has a teacher who refuses to bend so hence my dd said that it is and is going to try for honors. Naturally the counselor said it is about time. She tried to get her to take the test last yr. however my dd loved her teachers and classes so she let it ride.

She is in the "challenge classes" however for whatever reason they have watered it down this yr and it is driving her nuts.

 

[hentob]

Usually her teachers have been accomodating to her talent for writing. However this yr she has a teacher who refuses to bend....

So sad

 

[TN Hockey Mom]

I would be upset with my ds for not writing down the homework assignment and for waiting until sunday night to do it!

The teacher may have only wanted the 1st 5 problems done because they were going to do the problems on the rest of the worksheet at other times--either in class or for homework. So, ds needs to turn in a worksheet with only the 1st 5 problems done.

I think you are overreacting. It was not that many problems to redo and he has learned a valuable lesson--write down the assignment or there are consequences.

Sounds like you are more upset about this than he was.

First of all, it was Sunday afternoon when he did his homework and they were out of school the next day for Labor Day. He didn't wait until the last minute to complete his work.

Second, the teacher apparently wasn't planning on doing anything else with the rest of the problems on the worksheets. He brought the packet that he had completely finished and the packet he had to re-do both home yesterday with a grade on the one he had to re-do.

With all the budget cuts, I don't think the teacher should be so wasteful with all of this paper. She could have easily put all of the problems she wanted them to complete on a single sheet of paper then there wouldn't have been any confusion.

She has not responded to the note I sent her, however, I will see her face to face next Tuesday, September 14th, for parent night at the school. If she has not responded by then, I will question her.

Again, I thought I was doing the right thing by making him complete all of the problems. However, if this happens again I don't think I'll make him do any of it.

Here's a little something for some of you to have a field day with that I was recently made aware of....they can no longer give students a zero on anything.

If a student doesn't complete an assignment they can receive a reduced grade but not a zero. They now have something called ICU. If a student is missing any assignments come Friday afternoon recess time, instead of going to recess they go to ICU. In ICU there are teachers to help the students get the missing assignments completed and turned in. As long as all assignments are turned in by Friday recess time, late or not, they will still get to go to recess.

I think making my ds re-do his math because he did too many problems is crazy when, if he had not completed any at all, he would have been able to just complete what was originally assigned the following school day. As long as it was completed by Friday, the only consequence would have been a reduced grade. I think my punishment was far worse.

DS was upset about having to re-do the math but he's very proud of being in this honors class. I think he would do anything she told him to do. As a parent, I feel I have the right to get involved when I disagree with the teacher. They're human just the same as I am and if I don't agree with them, I'm going to question them. I'm also trying to teach my children to question things if they don't agree with them. This doesn't mean that they're always right but it teaches them to think. I also emphasize to them that there's a huge difference in questioning policy/process and questioning authority. They are not to be disrespectful! I was questioning why she made him re-do something that was already done-not that she made him do something.

I'll let everyone know what the teachers response is whenever I get it.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

So sad

Well she is just doing her job. She is there to teach the class how to write. Also I think the district requirements have put pressure on the teachers.

My dd is going rounds with her over wording & writing. My dd is not the only student going nuts. This is supposed to be a "challenge class".

Now my dd knows how to "work it" so she will be fine however if she can't get out of this class, the teacher will remember her forever.

It was the same way with the history teacher last yr. My dd actually watches the news and pays attention to politics so having a teacher push a Christian Republican agenda on an atheist liberal Democrat student was entertaining to both of them I think.

My dd would come home infuritated. I told her to read, watch the news, and if she wants to voice her opinion be prepared.

I do think other parents complained because near the end of school she cut the crap.

 

[mjkacmom]

She has not responded to the note I sent her, however, I will see her face to face next Tuesday, September 14th, for parent night at the school. If she has not responded by then, I will question her..

If you have to, call her, but it is never appropriate to discuss your child with the teacher at Open House.

 

[C.Ann]

That's right! Make sure she never works ahead! Hold her back What a wonderful lesson to teach a child.

Sometimes parents need to say "the directions are ridiculous. My child deserves to work to their absolute fullest potential”.

Stop teaching children to follow blindly. Go talk to the teacher if your child can and wants to move forward.

Yes. It is more work for the teacher. But a good teacher would welcome that kind of extra work

Well since she has always been a high honor roll student, I don't think it's had any devastating impact on her progress..

When she becomes an adult - and has a job - should she not follow the directions of her employer?

I really think you're making a much bigger deal out of this than what it is/was.. She's fine.. Follows directions well and thoroughly enjoys her education..

 

[MELSMICE]

OP......at this point I would probably let it be. It's really not a big deal. He didn't know the assignment or didn't follow directions or whatever, but I would let it go.

JMO........but it seems like it's turning in to one of those "making a mountain out of a mole hill" thing.

 

[MELSMICE]

If you have to, call her, but it is never appropriate to discuss your child with the teacher at Open House.

Great point!

 

[TN Hockey Mom]

If you have to, call her, but it is never appropriate to discuss your child with the teacher at Open House.

I think it becomes appropriate when she doesn't show me the courtesy of responding to me in a timely manner.

 

[rie'smom]

I think it becomes appropriate when she doesn't show me the courtesy of responding to me in a timely manner.

It isn't appropriate period.You're taking a chance of being embarrassed at Open House because she might just tell you that it isn't the right time to discuss the problem.
Are you sure she received the note? I'd call and arrange a meeting or ask that she return your call.

 

[MM27]

My principal always announces at Back to School Night that it is NOT for individual conferences, but rather to hear the spiel about the class and/or grade level. It never fails that after I'm done speaking, a line of parents forms that want to ask how their child is doing. In the beginning of my career I would just cave and talk to them about their child, but now I direct them to a sign in sheet that I provide where they can meet with me at another time to discuss their child, if needed.

We were doing an All About Me type poster yesterday that I hang up for Back to School Night. I gave very clear directions about writing in pencil and then coloring the pictures with crayons. Sure enough two of the kids wrote everything in crayon. We threw them away and started again
One of the kids even said, "Is it okay this time?" Nope, not okay this time, next time or ever. We follow directions in 4th grade. I wonder if his mother will be calling me.

 

[MELSMICE]

I think it becomes appropriate when she doesn't show me the courtesy of responding to me in a timely manner.

Still not appropriate!

Like someone else asked......are you sure she got the note? Was your son supposed to deliver it? Could it have gotten lost in his backpack?

 

[PlutoPony]

She has not responded to the note I sent her, however, I will see her face to face next Tuesday, September 14th, for parent night at the school. If she has not responded by then, I will question her.

Please rethink using that approach. This would be your first face to face meeting with your child's teacher and you really don't want an audience for that. Whatever is said between you will be repeated by the other parents and likely not in a way that reflects your perspective. You will immediately be labeled as "one of those parents" not just by the teachers but the other parents. And that's definitely not a good thing.

Your child has now learned the valuable lesson of following directions, well ahead of other equally bright students . Please take that as a win for your child (although not you) and let it go.

 

[ols386]

I wouldn't bring it up at the open house either. I would wait for the teacher to respond to your note. If she doesn't respond in a timely manner, then I'd contact her by phone, or whatever other means would be appropriate.

I still think the bottom line is that ds didn't follow directions. I think that is the point the teacher was/is trying to make. He sounds like a very bright and motivated student, and I'm thinking he will pay close attention to instructions going forward, and maybe he usually does, but perhaps this time he didn't...nobody's perfect.

 

[TN Hockey Mom]

I'm not looking to get into an argument with anyone on this board, therefore, I will wrap up my portion of this thread with the following....

I know for a fact she received the note. I sent it via email and the school email system allows me to see when the teacher has opened the email. The school policy states if a teacher is in the classroom he/she has 48 hours to respond to any emails (even if it is to just state that they will look into it).

This isn't my first face to face meeting with the teacher. We had open house the night before school started to meet the teachers. This is a night to meet as a group, now that they've had a couple of weeks to get adjusted, to discuss any problems and/or concerns.

I won't be embarrassed because I don't care what people think of me when I'm being an advocate for my child.

Lastly, if the teacher doesn't want to discuss it pertaining to my child specifically then I will be more than happy to address it as a whole. Why would she sign off on something that wasn't written down correctly? Does she even read things before she signs them because that's the point of her signing the agendas the first few weeks of school? Is it normal for her not to respond to a parents questions/concerns in over a week? Does she not abide by the school policy? Why would she waste materials?

I'm sure I won't be the only parent there interested in knowing the answer to all or at least some of these questions. I may be the only one willing to ask.

I know to most people it shouldn't have been that big of a deal. I'll admit I wasn't as upset after I had time to cool off, however, I don't think that's a reason to just let it go. I think the teacher and my ds share the responsibility in being wrong.

 

[MELSMICE]

Can I ask what was written in your son's agenda? Did he have anything written down for the assignment at all?

I still don't think I would make such an issue out of such a small thing. It's really not al big deal, IMO. I think you're now taking something small & turning it into a bigger issue:

Does she even read things before she signs them because that's the point of her signing the agendas the first few weeks of school? Is it normal for her not to respond to a parents questions/concerns in over a week? Does she not abide by the school policy? Why would she waste materials?

I'm sure I won't be the only parent there interested in knowing the answer to all or at least some of these questions. I may be the only one willing to ask.

I think the teacher is going to feel like you are attacking her - all over some math homework that your son didn't follow directions for.

 

[mjkacmom]

Why would she sign off on something that wasn't written down correctly? Does she even read things before she signs them because that's the point of her signing the agendas the first few weeks of school?.

I am still surprised that a 4th grade teacher would check every single agenda pad to make sure the assignment has been written down correctly. Second grade, sure. Talk about wasting time. By 4th grade, children should have been taught to habitually write down their assignments - my 4th grader has no one checking what she wrote.

 

[PaulaSB12]

Well since she has always been a high honor roll student, I don't think it's had any devastating impact on her progress..

When she becomes an adult - and has a job - should she not follow the directions of her employer?

I really think you're making a much bigger deal out of this than what it is/was.. She's fine.. Follows directions well and thoroughly enjoys her education..

Where I work yes you are given directions BUT if you can find a better way of doing something and can show it to your line leader the company listens and if it agrees you get rewarded. So going the extra mile to make the firm better is good but the way you are saying is keep quiet and do the bare minimum

 

[LilyWDW]

Where I work yes you are given directions BUT if you can find a better way of doing something and can show it to your line leader the company listens and if it agrees you get rewarded. So going the extra mile to make the firm better is good but the way you are saying is keep quiet and do the bare minimum

Actually, I would say that if you found a way to do it better, you speak to someone BEFORE you do it differently then you are told. There may be a real reason that you were given the directions you were given and who knows what you might mess up if you take it upon yourself and do it "your way".

NEVER would I just decide to do something as not directed.

 

[golfgal]

I am still surprised that a 4th grade teacher would check every single agenda pad to make sure the assignment has been written down correctly. Second grade, sure. Talk about wasting time. By 4th grade, children should have been taught to habitually write down their assignments - my 4th grader has no one checking what she wrote.

When our kids were that age the teachers signed under what ever was written in the planner-even if something wasn't written to let parents know THAT is where their child stopped writing and if the child missed writing an assignment it was up to the CHILD to deal with it. The signature was NOT to check to see if everything was written down correctly.