This is just WRONG! Big vent

[golfgal]

Ok, I just reread the OP, they are getting ONE book, all of this over ONE book. ONE BOOK!

 

[declansdad]

Yes, it is amazing how many are villifying the OP, like she is some kind of lame dead-beat parent who never wants her kid to read. What she has a problem with is, in effect, mandatory 'homeschooling'.

You know, I am sitting here looking at a huge glaring double standard here as well.

I can remember a thread, not so long ago, where a parent with a child with a serious learning disability was asking that her child's teachers read some info regarding the disability, and how to effectively address this in the classroom. (seems this is a lesser known disability, which most teachers know very little, if anything, about) Ask a teacher to do some reading, which is actually important in helping a child, and many simply refused. Yep, refused...

ONE refused not all, ONE. There is no in between with you. You say you don't have in in for teachers but every chance you get you make some remark that lumps them all together.

Also let's not forget that when the op started the thread she didn't have any details about the program. Who is to say that the choice of books couldn't come from a list?

 

[In a hurry]

Ok, I just reread the OP, they are getting ONE book, all of this over ONE book. ONE BOOK!

So, what's your point?! J/K

My point thruout is that as a 1st grade teacher I do not believe in giving summer busywork. I don't see a purpose or need for it. And I understand why other parents might have issue with it.

Past that...it is merely interesting conversation about theory.

 

[C.Ann]

So, what's your point?! J/K

My point thruout is that as a 1st grade teacher I do not believe in giving summer busywork. I don't see a purpose or need for it. And I understand why other parents might have issue with it.

Past that...it is merely interesting conversation about theory.

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If a project is necessary, there's no reason in the world that it can't be an enjoyable one..

 

[DisneyDotty]

OP--I can understand your frustration. You encourage your child to read and you participate in the reading program at the library--you're obviously not against reading. I have a background in teaching high school English, so I guess it's no surprise that I favor requred reading for summer. But I have a problem with a workbook/project attached to the book. Way to suck the fun out of reading. (Anytime you throw around the words "workbook" or "worksheets" I get cranky. The old "drill and kill" method. )

I much prefer the library's program (we have a similar one) of fun activities, crafts, book talks, awards etc. associated with the reading. Why not make some reading groups where the kids actually talk about the book? Bring in the author? Write alternate endings with other kids? Create a play based on the book and perform it for the community? Summer is a time for kicking back, recharging, challenging other areas of the brain. Let the kids be creative and have fun with the book. If they really want to do the workbook, offer that as extra credit.

Good luck, OP!

 

[In a hurry]

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If a project is necessary, there's no reason in the world that it can't be an enjoyable one..

Exactly! Learning should be a joy when at all possible!

 

[declansdad]

OP--I can understand your frustration. You encourage your child to read and you participate in the reading program at the library--you're obviously not against reading. I have a background in teaching high school English, so I guess it's no surprise that I favor requred reading for summer. But I have a problem with a workbook/project attached to the book. Way to suck the fun out of reading. (Anytime you throw around the words "workbook" or "worksheets" I get cranky. The old "drill and kill" method. )

I much prefer the library's program (we have a similar one) of fun activities, crafts, book talks, awards etc. associated with the reading. Why not make some reading groups where the kids actually talk about the book? Bring in the author? Write alternate endings with other kids? Create a play based on the book and perform it for the community? Summer is a time for kicking back, recharging, challenging other areas of the brain. Let the kids be creative and have fun with the book. If they really want to do the workbook, offer that as extra credit.

Good luck, OP!

to me this seems like the same thing but you are simply using another term to describe the work.

 

[DVCLiz]

I think the OP is working out a lot of her own feelings about her son with this one, pretty minor issue. Just my opinion...

Why don't you just read the book out loud to him and help him fill in the workbook and be done with it? If he can't concentrate long enough to remember the question, find the sentence in the book and point it out to him.

There are lots of ways to skin a cat, OP, and I have found that marching in and pounding my fist has NEVER gotten me very good results. People in schools have long memories, and I know friends who regret their behavior in elementary school, because it marked them for all time as problem parents. In high school, when you REALLY want some intervention or accomodation, you've used up a lot of your goodwill if you've been complaining all the way through.

I know a summer reading program is a wonderful thing - I was a children's librarian for many years and we had thousands of kids doing exactly what your son is doing. But it's not the same thing as a summer academic assignment. Go on and get this project done, and forget about it.

 

[DVCLiz]

PS - What book are we talking about, anyway?

 

[debbi801]

for the public school system. Until a group of parents sued the school board and won! So now, while work is still given out, it is considered extra credit. And, it is not due until sometime mid October, not on the first day of school. My daughter, who starts middle school in the fall, already has received her packet of summer work. She's already started it. LOL

I would check wiht your local board of education to see what their thoughts are. If it is not something mandated by the BOE across all public schools in your district, I don't see how the PTA can mandate that it is required for yours.

Good luck!
Debbi

 

[3DisneyBuggs]

Learning takes place year round. I think a summer reading program is an excellent idea. Children need to keep their minds active whether school is in session or not. Most kids, left on their own would not read over the summer. It's a good way to keep the mind active, in between summer fun.

 

[BethR]

I have not read most of the responses, so I don't know if I am repeating something that someone has already said.

If this is something that has been done routinely throughout the years that my children have been in school, it would not bother me since it is "the way it has always been."

On the other hand, if this was something that was new and had never been done in my school district, I think that it would irritate me. I am sure that I would whine and moan about it the first couple of years, THEN it would be "what we always do," and I would give it up.

Our kids did start summer reading when they went from Jr. High to High School IF they were in advanced English, history, and some sciences. But the parents were notified of this, realized that it was required for the courses, and if the child did not want to do the work, they did not have to take the courses.

 

[chris1gill]

I have noticed that a lot of people on here that are complaining that there is too much homework, don't like that the schools assign homework over the summer, etc. are the same ones that grip about how bad their schools are, what rotten teachers their kids have, etc., etc. Do you think just MAYBE the problem isn't the school and it might be you?

Hey Golfgal, don't paint us all with a broad brush.... I am very vocal about how bad our schools are where we live... They are quite terrible as a matter of fact. Anyhow, we pulled the kids out of the system, put them in a private independent school where they are both on the "A" list track & excelling. I say bring it on... my kids know how to play, but they'd better know how to work in this life as well... We will forever keep an open line of connection with the teachers and administration, and as far as we are concerned, we all have one goal here, and that is the personal and academic growth of the children... I don't think it's in their best interest to sit around for ten weeks without doing one ounce of work, but then again, I was able to put my money where my mouth was...

But back to what you said, ummm, I think you could be on to something LOL...

 

[C.Ann]

Summer is a time for kicking back, recharging, challenging other areas of the brain..

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Exactly! Not everything a child needs to learn will come from reading a book and filling in the blanks on a worksheet..

That's why there are so many "hands-on" museums now.. Children need to "experience" - not just "read" - about life..

 

[mylilnikita]

It is interesting to see the differances in schools: DD's public school has no work during holidays and summer break. I did ask the teacher to give her work during Thanksgiving because a few days after returning from break, I would be taking her on a trip and I didn't want her to miss what she would be learning, so she had work during that break and she only had to make a daily diary of what she did on vacation and take pictures, we went to MK, Sea World and did a few behind the scenes tours and DCL. We have suggested summer reading list, no workbooks just plain break. I do take her to library each week and she participates in the library reading program during the summer and each week turns in her reading paper and recieves little gifts.

 

[golfgal]

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Exactly! Not everything a child needs to learn will come from reading a book and filling in the blanks on a worksheet..

That's why there are so many "hands-on" museums now.. Children need to "experience" - not just "read" - about life..

And they can't do BOTH in the summer????? No everyone has access to these "hands on" museums.

 

[pearlieq]

FWIW, I totally get where you're coming from, OP. There's absolutely no way I'd be TOLD what to do with my kid when school is not in session. And especially having this come from the PTA--a group that has no actual authority over the subject. You are the parent, you are in charge.

This is not at all about abandoning learning for the summer--I don't think anyone advocates that. It's about how much control we allow institutions to have over our lives. This demand, to me, is over the line, and I wouldn't comply. If they want to try to dish out consequences, bring it on!!!

 

[LisaNJ25]

I have no problem with that. My son is in 7th grade this year. At the end of 6th they were given a list of books to choose from. They than had to do a report. It was due the first week of school and it was tied into their first marking period grade. I think it counted for 10%.

 

[Crankyshank]

You can have all the opinions you want. I just don't place a value on those opinions that have no personal experience to back it up. The other poster was rather nasty and seemed to think they knew it all about kids and I just wanted her to share her own personal experience with her own kids. I would value that kind but no other.

The other poster has experience with children and education. Not to mention her own personal experience being educated. I don't see where she was nasty. People can have plenty of experience with children without having given birth or adopting themselves and people are missing out if they are so closed minded to disregard someone because of that.

 

[C.Ann]

And they can't do BOTH in the summer????? No everyone has access to these "hands on" museums.

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You don't have to have access to a "hands on" museum.. Make up your own hands-on projects.. Take a walk in the woods - try to identify the trees and leaves.. Go to the beach and build sandcastles - think about shapes; size; designs.. Gather up some art supplies and work on various projects.. How about cooking something together? Following a recipe includes "reading", "math", "comprehension" and a perfect "hands on" experience.. Lay in the grass and stare up at the clouds - what kind of shapes do you see? Go outside at night and look at the stars - find the Big and Little Dipper.. The list of possibilities is endless.. I could go on and on, but I'm sure you get my drift.. Lots of things to "learn" out there in the real world and every bit as educational (if not more) as a mandatory reading assignment..