Hey...Teacher...leave those projects at school!!!

[DopeyDame]

I just woke my husband up by laughing so much at the sofa pillows comments. Thanks for the evenings entertainment

 

[NotUrsula]

I would guess that serving anything with alcohol (and yes, I know it cooks out) would not be happily received. American schools are like that.
On the other hand, I'll bet they are delicious for a appetizer at home.

FWIW, my DS brought them 2X yearly for 3 years of Spanish classes (his teacher asked for the foods for extra credit, it wasn't a required project.) The high school never objected. In any case, you can just call them "Spanish-style sausage bites" -- it isn't necessary to mention the sherry.

 

[mummabear]

You are a trooper for pulling that off! I wonder if your child will be the only one to bring in something as nice as what you've prepared. I hope everyone enjoys the fiesta and no one gets food poisoning (not from your food, but others

Thinking about this whole project thing reminded me of a requirement for high school health class that my boys had to do. They needed to prepare a "healthy" meal at home with a protein, carbohydrate, veggies, and fruit. They did not need to bring it in to school; it was done at home, served to family, and a picture was taken and sent to the teacher along with a list of ingredients and a note from the parent asking our opinion of the meal. I thought this was not too bad, as I do want my kids to cook and I want them to generally eat well-balanced meals (I noted on the form that was returned to teacher that it was normal for us to eat this way and it was no way going outside of the box for our family; I think the health teachers assume that all parents are feeding the kids junk and fast food on the regular).

TBH it drives me nuts when schools incroach on parenting. We don't do at health class (maybe in HS) but DDs homework sheet has me sign off that they did their chores, now I believe in chores and even my 2 year old has some but it's none of schools business.

Therefore, she had to do the whole assignment instead of 1/3 of it. She created the problem. Her fault entirely. Not the teacher's.

I'm not singling you out as many posters have said this. I am curious though if all the other students only had to cook 1/3 of a meal, besides it being a consequence of not being let of the group, why did they have to cook the whole meal. Why didn't the teacher just randomly assign everyone one course (entree,main,dessert) and assigned days?

 

[mummabear]

School should always trump extracurricular activities.

I don't agree. We have made commitments to other activities, being part of s team has responsibilities that can't just be shrugged off. When it's dance exam time or recital time we have signed contracts for required attendance, same for upcoming gym competitions. In soccer if she misses trading she could get benched for the game.
Many of the activities are teaching DD as much as any school project(swimming and music lessons come to mind).
And that's before I point out the $$ we have spent on the activities, after 3 school is incroaching on our time not the other way arou d

 

[Dawnlight]

TBH it drives me nuts when schools incroach on parenting. We don't do at health class (maybe in HS) but DDs homework sheet has me sign off that they did their chores, now I believe in chores and even my 2 year old has some but it's none of schools business.

I agree about that- I think it would have been fine just the meal planning, preparation, and picture. I didn't feel a great need to give my input either. It seems in our schools here, especially in health class, they want to dig into the parents' past and ask personal questions about drug and alcohol use, smoking, bullying, etc. If I want to speak to my child of those things I will, but I certainly don't like the school questioning me about them and giving my kid a grade based on whether I answer or not!!

 

[Dentam]

it's encroaching, not incroaching

 

[Magpie]

FWIW, my DS brought them 2X yearly for 3 years of Spanish classes (his teacher asked for the foods for extra credit, it wasn't a required project.) The high school never objected. In any case, you can just call them "Spanish-style sausage bites" -- it isn't necessary to mention the sherry.

I think you underestimate how hung up some people are on the subject of alcohol.

Depending on the culture where they live, some kids would be all, "EEEEE! We used ALCOHOL to cook this!!! It's got ALCOHOL in it!" In some areas, you'd have a riot in class, if you sent in those sausage bites, no matter what they were called.

There are real people who won't keep alcohol in any house with children present. Who won't let their children see them drink, not even a single glass with dinner (because it sets a bad example). Other people hide it or put it in a locked cabinet. And, of course, there's those who will lock up their alcohol, but refuse to lock up their guns.

After spending considerable time on home schooling boards, I have come to think there are parts of the US that are just a hair's breadth away from being indistinguishable from parts of the Middle East. Religiously conservative Americans were on these boards sincerely arguing that women must stay home and take care of the family, women should wear head scarves, long skirts and long sleeves, spare the rod and spoil the child, be help-mates, submit to your husband's leadership, keep your mind pure, avoid evil things - like Harry Potter, the Lord of the Rings, and even Narnia because of all the "witchcraft" in it, boycott Disney because of Gay Days, no TV, no alcohol, etc.

 

[CarolAnn856]

While our kids' extra-curricular activities have been invaluable in teaching them teamwork, leadership, and much more, their education has always been more important than any of those activities (and I say this as a mom of a brand new Eagle Scout).

 

[bellebud]

Project based learning is the new buzz word in education, and many teachers are being evaluated on implementing it in the classroom. When I give projects, the cost can be zero, but some students prefer to buy things. I would be upset if a parent was complaining about the project, and would hope that they would come to me with concerns. Many times, a student has selective hearing and tells their parent one thing, when the reality is quite different. I think it sounds like a fun project. When I took French, we had many "petite dejeuners", and were required to bring in items. That's about all I remember from French class.

In the classroom is key here. Please teachers, keep it in the classroom. That is the only way to know the parents aren't actually doing the project.

 

[Lilacs4Me]

Must be the same parents who insist on having a halftime and post game snack at soccer! IT IS AN HOUR!!!

Hahahaha!!!!!! So TRUE! What is it with soccer kids and parents doing this? Just tell the kids to eat before they come, and give them their orange in the car on the way home!

My DS10 played one season of soccer, just to try it (he plays another sport seriously) and he could never wrap his mind around the whole "halftime snack" thing. LOL He was expecting to take a knee and listen to the coach go over the first half and strategy for the 2nd half, not grab a orange slice and go back to mom and dad for 10 minutes.

 

[gwynne]

In the classroom is key here. Please teachers, keep it in the classroom. That is the only way to know the parents aren't actually doing the project.

I was never personally bothered by parents who opted to do their kid's work. I always thought that was between them, their child and the teacher. Teachers can only do so much if a parent is less than honest.
They won't be able to bat cleanup forever. Sad for the kid.

 

[DopeyDame]

Hahahaha!!!!!! So TRUE! What is it with soccer kids and parents doing this? Just tell the kids to eat before they come, and give them their orange in the car on the way home!

My DS10 played one season of soccer, just to try it (he plays another sport seriously) and he could never wrap his mind around the whole "halftime snack" thing. LOL He was expecting to take a knee and listen to the coach go over the first half and strategy for the 2nd half, not grab a orange slice and go back to mom and dad for 10 minutes.

I'm coaching a U8 soccer team this fall. I REFUSE to organize a snack rotation. It's insane. 7 year olds can run around for 40 minutes without snack breaks (or they can bring a snack for themselves if they really need it) If another mom decides to take it on, I won't rip the orange slices out of the kids' hands or anything, but no way am participating.
I'm expecting rioting and petitions after the first game.

 

[Magpie]

I'm coaching a U8 soccer team this fall. I REFUSE to organize a snack rotation. It's insane. 7 year olds can run around for 40 minutes without snack breaks (or they can bring a snack for themselves if they really need it) If another mom decides to take it on, I won't rip the orange slices out of the kids' hands or anything, but no way am participating.
I'm expecting rioting and petitions after the first game.

I wouldn't be surprised. Snacks can be a surprisingly fraught topic with some parents!

I once taught a Sunday school class - fifth graders. At one point during the parent-child orientation meeting, we took the parents off by themselves to discuss the curriculum. While the parents were gone, we got the kids to create a "covenant" (respectful behaviour, listening when others speak, etc) and come up with a snack plan. One of our young people pointed out that one of the adult leaders had a gluten sensitivity (they've known each other a long time). The leader said, "Don't worry about me!" but the kids decided together that they wanted their snacks to be inclusive of everyone. So, they settled on fruit, cheese, nuts, rice cakes, etc. All very civilized.

Then the parents came back. One mum caught my attention right away, because she called her 11 year old son away from the other children and made him sit right next to her, among the adults. We told the parents what the kids had decided, with regard to snacks, and she immediately got upset.

"But, cupcakes! The children need CUPCAKES!"

Her son tried to say something and she shushed him, getting actually quite outraged that we were cruelly denying the poor children their sweets, just to accommodate some "made up" thing. She actually left, making grand pronouncements of how she'd be bringing homemade cupcakes every week! Her son looked mortified.

Interestingly, she never brought in cupcakes. I don't know if she decided it was too much trouble after all, or if someone had a quiet word with her.

 

[DanceswithDisney]

While our kids' extra-curricular activities have been invaluable in teaching them teamwork, leadership, and much more, their education has always been more important than any of those activities (and I say this as a mom of a brand new Eagle Scout).

I happen to believe those qualities are just as important as book knowledge. With dwindling time for PE and or recreation, I also believe the fitness part of many extra-curricular activities are just as important. Our soccer club does not allow less than a C on a report card or even the star player is benched so they and we do feel school knowledge is important but not more important.

 

[DanceswithDisney]

I'm coaching a U8 soccer team this fall. I REFUSE to organize a snack rotation. It's insane. 7 year olds can run around for 40 minutes without snack breaks (or they can bring a snack for themselves if they really need it) If another mom decides to take it on, I won't rip the orange slices out of the kids' hands or anything, but no way am participating.
I'm expecting rioting and petitions after the first game.

Through our experience with U8 with this club playing just rec, there was only a post game snack rotation. They hated us because we brought water and fruit and cheese slices/blocks. "The kids NEED sugar!!!" The moment we joined the travel side of the club, the snacks were done and the parents quite rightly bring/brought their own.

I do happen to despise tournament team lunches.dinners. There are never enough places that can efficiently feed 13-15 girls and their parents in a timely manner. Sure the place is air conditioned, but otherwise a total cluster.

 

[piccolopat]

Cooking projects have nothing to do with learning a language. The assignment could have been to cook something for your own family from a "fill in the blank language" speaking country and then do a report with the recipes and photos to share with the class. I think it is absurd that a single child has to bring an appetizer, entrée and dessert and to bring enough to feed a class of 30. Not only is it an unnecessary financial burden, it is likely a big waste of food. What was the teacher planning to do with all of the leftovers? How was the teacher going to deal with food allergies?

I think some teachers need to think about what kids are really learning from these projects and what the burden is on the family before assigning them. If Johnny can't cook and his parent is working two jobs, taking care of other siblings or a sick parent or has other obligations, why should she have to spend time she doesn't have on a project like this, especially if the money is needed for other things. Same goes for those long lists of must have school supplies. Too many years DD had so many supplies that were never used, some of which the next year's teachers didn't have on their lists. That included some books she was required to buy in college that the professor never got around to using (was an English lit course).

Now as far as teachers go, I also think it is ridiculous that they have to pay for classroom supplies out of pocket. If administrators don't have to buy their own printer paper and toner, why should a lower paid teacher have to buy tissues and chalk?

 

[Dawnlight]

Cooking projects have nothing to do with learning a language. The assignment could have been to cook something for your own family from a "fill in the blank language" speaking country and then do a report with the recipes and photos to share with the class. I think it is absurd that a single child has to bring an appetizer, entrée and dessert and to bring enough to feed a class of 30. Not only is it an unnecessary financial burden, it is likely a big waste of food. What was the teacher planning to do with all of the leftovers? How was the teacher going to deal with food allergies?

I think some teachers need to think about what kids are really learning from these projects and what the burden is on the family before assigning them. If Johnny can't cook and his parent is working two jobs, taking care of other siblings or a sick parent or has other obligations, why should she have to spend time she doesn't have on a project like this, especially if the money is needed for other things. Same goes for those long lists of must have school supplies. Too many years DD had so many supplies that were never used, some of which the next year's teachers didn't have on their lists. That included some books she was required to buy in college that the professor never got around to using (was an English lit course).

Now as far as teachers go, I also think it is ridiculous that they have to pay for classroom supplies out of pocket. If administrators don't have to buy their own printer paper and toner, why should a lower paid teacher have to buy tissues and chalk?

100% agree. I think a report on the cuisine or a poster board presentation, heck even a power point presentation would be better than actually buying, cooking, and bringing in the food. It's really a ridiculous project.

 

[Magpie]

Through our experience with U8 with this club playing just rec, there was only a post game snack rotation. They hated us because we brought water and fruit and cheese slices/blocks. "The kids NEED sugar!!!" The moment we joined the travel side of the club, the snacks were done and the parents quite rightly bring/brought their own.

I do happen to despise tournament team lunches.dinners. There are never enough places that can efficiently feed 13-15 girls and their parents in a timely manner. Sure the place is air conditioned, but otherwise a total cluster.

I'm reminded of Pakistan's "sugar crisis": http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/27/AR2009112703392.html

My mother was living in Pakistan at the time, and "The kids NEED sugar!" was pretty much the non-stop message from the local media. People were panicking and rioting over it.

 

[CarolAnn856]

I happen to believe those qualities are just as important as book knowledge. With dwindling time for PE and or recreation, I also believe the fitness part of many extra-curricular activities are just as important. Our soccer club does not allow less than a C on a report card or even the star player is benched so they and we do feel school knowledge is important but not more important.

Many families manage to put education first and still find ways to ensure that their children have many opportunities to maintain good grades, develop leadership and other skills, and stay active.

 

[Disney_traveler]

If you don't like what is going on with how your child is being taught or assessed there are 3 avenues to be followed:
-speak to the teacher. If they don't change, deal with it, change teachers, change school, or homeschool.
-speak to the admin. If they don't change, deal with it, change teachers, change school, or homeschool.
-speak to the school board. If they don't change, deal with it, change teachers, change school, or homeschool.