Kids and homework/projects

[taximomfor4]

My rule is I don't help with homework or projects. If the child has a question, I will help out. Otherwise, they are on their own. They are K, 2nd, and 8th now. Oh, and I ask the spelling words ONCE. If they spell them right, we are done (they always already know them from all the homework in the spelling workbook). So my kids sit and do homework at different times...2nd grader needs to chill after school so she does hers after dinner. 8th grader does it right after school, always has...although she doesn't have much homework, she is a fast worker so gets most done at school. Kindergartener does his whenever.

Now, the flaw in our method is that our kids NEVER have the "best" projects. They cannot do the same quality of work that a grown-up can, and about half the class has obviously had parental help throughout. BUT my kids know they did theirs all by themselves, and it is exactly how THEY wanted it to be (albeit a little sloppy most of the time due to their little hands).

 

[taximomfor4]

I have 2 projects going right now, one for my 2nd grader. It's a fairy tale book project where she has to dress up in character and answer questions on her character. Cost of this project? 50 bucks about for the costume and the book.
Cost for an anemometer for this project 48 bucks. We already have the software for the powerpoint presentation.

I mention the costs of these projects just to illustrate how much schooling costs. We are in public school btw.

Oh, oh, oh...we nix the expensive stuff. We let the kid help design a costume or whatever from what we have around. In fact, dd7 had 2 classmates over before one...they went through my old dresses -- bridesmaid dresses, etc. I gave them old Mardi Gras necklaces, and they were queens, princesses, and movie stars. I won't waste money on school projects like those. Funny thing -- dd7 is quite a popular girl. The anemometer thingy -- I would call the teacher and ask if there was a loaner somewhere. Not worth 48 bucks for something we'd use for one project. If not, we would work around it. But I would NOT buy one. I get tired of the nickle and diming on some of these projects.

 

[Mishetta]

My DS is in 4th grade & it seemed like he got way more homework last year than this year. He still gets plenty though. He does as much as he can on the bus (which is a 35 min ride home) & then sits right down at the kitchen table to get the rest done as soon as he walks in the door. (He's ADHD & on meds & he knows how hard it will be for him to attempt his homework after his meds wear off.) Projects are another issue....but this last project he did (pick a poem & do a diarama on it) all by himself! Aside from us going out together to pick stuff out for it, he had to bring all the pieces to class & they all worked on their diarama's on their own (this way the teacher knows each kid really did do their own!)

My DH & I always say that school is much tougher today than it was when we were kids. Plus, now there is much more demand for parents to be involved in their kids school work than there used to be. I do understand some parent participation, but often times it feels like we're the ones going through school again! Not to mention, I can't even help with his math anymore since it's so advanced. My DH has to help him when he gets home from work. I tell ya, it's really getting to be a nuisance now that I think about it. I'm trying to get dinner ready so that the rest of the evening flows as it should but I have to stop what I'm doing & help with homework. I also have a special needs child in a special program thru the school system & he gets homework once per week. That's the one that really drives me . I mean, come on! We're not under enough pressure anymore it seems that schools have to add more pressure to parents & students. I agree with the poster that said that kids don't get to be kids anymore. Totally agree with that. My 10 y/o really gets no play time during the week. It's homework, dinner & then maybe 30 mins of TV, then shower time, then nearly bed time.