I am dumbfounded!

[5lilfish]

We have an intersting way of doing things at our private (parochial) school, at least in junior high.

There are essentially NO outside book reports, essays and such that are assigned outside of school. Vocabulary, spelling, reading chapters, etc, but no writing, except for maybe short answer questions for a literature unit.

It is all done IN CLASS. Rough drafts, editing, everything.

The beauty of this is that the teachers are grading the kids work, not their parents.

Our kids have reasonable homework assignments (not crazy amounts).

Most of the kids are accepted into highly competitive private high schools in the area, and then going on to college.

I actually think doing it this way makes the kids better writers-they know parents can't "help" (meaning write and rewrite) their essay. They have to do it themselves.

Of course, we have an amazing English yeacher at our school (and know we are very, very lucky)

julia

My kids are all wonderfully independent about doing their school work. The oldest 2 (only 2 old enough for numeric grades on report cards) are on the honor roll. I suppose that they could score a few points higher if I sat down and spoon fed their studies with them, but I think they are going to make out better in the long run by doing their own work. My 3rd child has many kids in her grade level with hovering parents. I remember being at her softball game back in May and this group of mom's were all talking about what they did to prepare their kid for a science test (4th grade). One spent the day making up practice tests. Another mom wrote out flash cards. Not that there is anything wrong with helping your child study, and some kids do need this type of help at this age, but I was happy that my daughter was able to do very well on the science test without my help (and she isn't gifted). Truthfully, even if she only got an 85% (she actually got a 100%), I'd rather see her get that on her own. I just think the independence (and developing study skills) is more important than the numeric grade.

Our public school follows the same practice as your school. Almost all writing is done at school. I know that the school does this so that parents are not involved in the process. The teachers want to grade the kids not their parents. They need to know where each kid stands so that they can provide the necessary guidance.

Jess

 

[Teacher03]

If you feel that you don't want DD & this other child doing homework together, just say no.

As far as what goes on between the mother & her child, MYOB.

What she said. Simple as that.

 

[aprilgail2]

Myob

 

[luvmy3]

Ditto...I always say, it will catch up with them eventually...kids can't take their parents to college with them.

No, but when the kid goes to school within driving distance to home, mom is still there to help. I know someone who's mom did alot of her work for her when she was in college, the sad thing is, she's a teacher now

 

[Jeafl]

I have seen more science projects, art projects, social studies charts/maps, book reports done by parents then kids in the last 4 years of having kids in Middle school, so yea I can readily believe that this girls mom is doing ALL of the work for her.

Teacher here..I completely agree with this statement. However, I have gotten really good at grading the projects by whether or not the student actually did it him/herself. They stick out like a sore thumb.

 

[SnowWhite607]

The only part of this that is any of your business is telling your daughter that they cannot do homework together. Even if I didn't doubt the childs ability I wouldn't have my kid doing homework with a friend unless if was a group project. It would take 2-3 times as long to get the work done because there would be too much talking and socializing.

You don't have any business "intervening" in how another mother chooses to help their child with their homework, especially when the only information you have is coming from an 11 year old.

 

[Pigeon]

There are essentially NO outside book reports, essays and such that are assigned outside of school. Vocabulary, spelling, reading chapters, etc, but no writing, except for maybe short answer questions for a literature unit.

It is all done IN CLASS. Rough drafts, editing, everything.

The beauty of this is that the teachers are grading the kids work, not their parents.

Our kids have reasonable homework assignments (not crazy amounts).

This is how it should be.

My kids get insane amounts of homework.