Posted by HenryVIII (anonymous) on October 9, 2009 at 11:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

We do like our bans 'round here! You might have a shot. ;-)
'enry

Posted by Bjnemp (anonymous) on October 9, 2009 at 3:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

No problem, Chris. If you have enough money and are good enough pals with the city commissioners, you can get anything banned in this burg.

Posted by wanderer (anonymous) on October 9, 2009 at 5:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You know what they say, Chris. Those who fail to pay attention in History are condemned to repeat it ... and math, and science, and English. Good luck!

Posted by deluvly1 (anonymous) on October 10, 2009 at 2:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

On a serious note, I think that there really is too much homework. When my daughter was in high school she would work hard and often had to stay up later than we wanted to finish the assignment(s).

Homework was sent home without regard to chores that we decided our child needed to learn as well, such as how to cook, mend clothing, everyday LIFE things that go beyond what is taught in school.

On the other hand it seemed like there was always a pep rally, or a meeting, or a field trip. I once mentioned to a teacher that I would like to see my daughter doing schoolwork during her school hours because she had other things to learn at home. The woman looked at me like I was insane.

Posted by seriouslyfolks (anonymous) on October 10, 2009 at 2:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If the government tells us our kids need to do home work, who are we to argue. We pay good money to tell them that they need to tell us to raise our kids by having them raise our kids.

R.

Posted by oh4theluvof (anonymous) on October 10, 2009 at 4:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This year, my son has a teacher who believes the school is there to assist parents by teaching the kids the academics they will need for life. Amazingly, because of this approach, my son has only brought home two assignments of homework. The class manages to have plenty of time to learn the materials and complete the related assignments because their entire focus is on academic progress. (as I understand it, slower than average learners do have limited assignments sent home) I still get papers sent home from the district about how parents can support the school and how the schools will be taking care of emotional and social learning, but the teacher isn't wasting valuable class time on parenting. My son is having a far less frustrating time at home this year, as a result. He had a great teacher the past two years, but there was a lot of homework sent home, causing me to feel like sending him to school was pointless if I was going to teach him anyway. That teacher was very devoted to each student, but I believe there was a tendency to focus time on things that fall under the parenting title. I had a kid who had good overall behavior at school, but then didn't see me as the authority about how to behave in all places. I had a kid who felt home was frustrating because his mom was making him sit down for learning time even though he had just been in school all day. He saw the teacher as the ultimate authority and me as a babysitter. I don't believe any teacher has that intention, but when the "experts" make sure they are educated to believe that all of the non-academic stuff is their job too, it results in the kids having this backwards mind-set. Having a teacher (who had very good parental instruction) who knows whose job is whose is allowing my son and I to have a better relationship........................who'da thunk???

I don't believe Chris was implying any of what I was talking about, however. Different situations with only topical similarities.

Posted by koro (anonymous) on October 13, 2009 at 10:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

oh4theluvof - There is a reason that teachers have to "focus time on things that fall under the parenting title". Have you been into a classroom lately? I have, and there are posters explaining how to behave! Social skills are not a strong point with people these days...we need to learn again how to be polite with each other, and since the schools have accepted the responsibility of feeding and clothing our children, why not have them teach non-academics, too? No wonder kids have homework...there isn't time to do school work at school anymore.

Posted by create (anonymous) on October 13, 2009 at 10:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Good point, koro. I saw a quote once that said, "If I have to raise your kids too, drop them off when they are infants and come back when they're 21."

Chris, one important thing about helping your child with homework is not the homework at all. It's the togetherness thing. It's the paying-attention-to-your-child thing. It's the bonding thing.

I still remember my father helping me with algebra. He knew the answers, and could figure them out in his head, but couldn't prove them on paper like the teacher wanted. You see, my father only had a second-grade education, and when I was in high school, he was already in his mid-60's. But God Bless him, he still sat with me and tried his heart out to figure out those formulas. I have rich memories of those times. Often, he would prove the answers by showing me real life examples like figuring gas mileage on the car I was just learning to drive. I learned so much from him.

Take the time to help with the homework, Chris. Why would you make light of such a valuable period of time? Grab the moments while you can. Bud. Before long, they'll be wanting the keys to the car and that's it for your involvement in their lives.

Posted by oh4theluvof (anonymous) on October 13, 2009 at 12:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

My point was, even though some parents may not be doing this for their children, does not mean that the "experts" are correct in their assertion that teachers should take care of it. Once upon a time, classroom were a social learning environment...the older kids who were learning on schedule helped the younger kids practice what the teacher had taught them. The age levels all interacted with each other in a "neighborly" way...displaying kindness and helpfulness. It was all entirely academic, though. More recently, public schools became places where parents weren't welcome as they were not adequately trained in educating kids in academics and social learning was only to happen in same age classes. Now, the academics are being handed to the parents , under supervision, of course, while the social and emotional learning is being covered by the teachers. Parents are expected to support the teachers who typically distrust the parents. This generation of parents is basically being told that once their kid reaches playschool age, they are teacher-aids-in-training who also provide housing and financial aid for the kids. It is backwards.
When you have a teacher who understands the school boundary and it's support function to the parents, however, things start getting straightened out. I just wish the "experts" could understand this so that all the Ed. majors would graduate with this same mindset. The condition of our country is a shame, but the answer never lies in the government taking over non-government functions and letting citizens off the hook. Public school is no exception.
And, yes, as a very involved parent, I have had many occasions to be in the classrooms.

Posted by seriouslyfolks (anonymous) on October 13, 2009 at 12:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Last year was the deadline to questioning the government. Sorry it's just not allowed anymore. If the public school says this is the way it must be, then this is the way it must be. Don't question it.

R.

Posted by neighbor (anonymous) on October 13, 2009 at 11:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Just wait a few more years Chris, it gets worse. We send our kids to school for the day, then they come home and have several more hours worth of homework that they were not allowed time to get it done in class. There have been nights when my kids were up past midnight trying to finish up, then having to get up an hour early the next morning when they didn't get it all done the night before. Before a teacher chastises me for speaking against such teaching methods and claims the NCLB is the cause, I need to let you know that we've been fortunate to have several teachers who have never sent our kids home with homework stating that they too are against the practice of homework. I'm fortunate and have good students, it's a wonder they don't have bad backs having to lug all their books back and forth in their book bags.

Posted by DJrocksthemic (anonymous) on October 15, 2009 at 8:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

deluvy, first of all congrats on raising your kids the right way, that's exactly how my parents raised me (and I'm in this generation) and I turned out pretty good I think. I think however that teachers have become jaded because their aren't many kids out their like your, who are learning life along with their school work. To many kids just get to learn from their schoolwork and not their parents, so good job parents who teach their kids to balance both.

On a humerous side note I once had a roomate who didn't realize when you became an adult you had to work all day long, then come home and do the chores, then take care of the bills and only then could you enjoy the rest of your day. He also didn't realize businesses don't just close for the summer when students are out of school.